LIABILITY OF AIRLINES

An airline may be liable to its passengers for an aircraft accident based upon its status as a common carrier, its contract with the passengers, or an implied or express warranty regarding the safety of its aircraft. An airline may also be liable to its passengers for delays, for discrimination, or for wrongful expulsion

Custom as Proof of Negligence

In some circumstances, custom may be used as proof of negligence in a personal injury action. For example, a worker in a sawmill is injured when he or she accidentally puts his or her hand onto the blade of an electric saw.

Governmental Immunity from Suit

If a party is injured by some act of a governmental unit, official, or agency, he may or may not be permitted to sue. The reason that he may be barred from suing is because of "sovereign immunity." Traditionally, this doctrine protected governmental units, officials, and agencies from liability based on their tortious acts unless they had consented to being sued. Now, this immunity has been waived in large part and only applies in certain circumstances.

Parental Immunity

Traditionally, the legal doctrine of "parental immunity" prohibited a minor, unemancipated child from suing his or her parent for personal injuries under any circumstances. The purpose of the parental immunity doctrine was to preserve family harmony, family assets, and parental authority over the care, discipline, and control of children.

Proving Defamation Damages

A lawsuit for defamation has the following basic elements: (1) making a false statement; (2) about a person; (3) to others; and (4) actual damages (if the harm to the person is not apparent). There is a fifth element when the person is a public official or public figure. In such a case, the person who made the statement has to have made it with a known or reckless disregard of the truth. This article discusses the fourth element, actual damages.