Personal Injury Newsletters

Federal Teacher Protection Act -- Exceptions

Under the federal Teacher Protection Act (TPA), a school employee may be immune from civil liability when a student is injured as a result of the employee's attempt to discipline or control the student. However, the TPA does not apply under some circumstances.

Federal Volunteer Protection Act -- Exceptions

The federal Volunteer Protection Act (VPA) grants immunity to a volunteer who causes harm to a person while the volunteer is performing services for a nonprofit organization or governmental entity. However, under some circumstances, a volunteer is not immune from liability for such harm.

Tax Consequences of a Settlement in a Tort Action

When a plaintiff and a defendant enter into a settlement of the plaintiff's tort action, the tax consequences of the settlement will depend upon whether the damages are allocated in the settlement agreement.

The Death on the High Seas Act

In 1920, the United States Congress enacted the Death on the High Seas Act (DOHSA). Originally, the purpose of DOHSA was to help the widows of seamen who died in accidents at sea. Under DOHSA, a widow could file a wrongful death action against the seaman's employer or the owner of the vessel on which the seaman was working at the time of his death. The scope of the DOHSA has been greatly expanded since its enactment.

The Sudden Emergency Doctrine

Under the "sudden emergency doctrine," a person is not liable for his reasonable response to a sudden emergency, so long as the person did not create the emergency. The sudden emergency doctrine may be used as a defense to a personal injury action.