Real Estate

Every property owner is entitled to use his land in a reasonable way. His use, however, may exceed the bounds of reason and become an inconvenience or even a nuisance to others. A nuisance is more than a mere inconvenience that has to be tolerated. If a nuisance rises to a certain level, it may be actionable. Some examples of nuisances include odors and noise.

The Jones Act -- Negligence Claims

An injured seaman may sue his employer for damages under the Jones Act if the employer's negligence contributed to the seaman's injury. Under the Jones Act, the seaman is only required to prove that the employer's negligence was a cause, however slight, of the seaman's injury.

Personal Injury Actions between Spouses

When spouses commit torts against each other, a cause of action may or may not be available to the injured spouse. It depends upon the jurisdiction and the type of injury.

The Duty of Adults to Children

Generally, the law requires a person to exercise the degree of care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise under the same circumstances. This is called "the duty of reasonable care." A person who breaches his duty of reasonable care is guilty of negligence.

Federal Volunteer Protection Act -- Punitive and Noneconomic Damages

The federal Volunteer Protection Act (VPA) limits punitive damage awards against volunteers in cases in which they are not immune from liability.