| No Strict Liability for Defamation |
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| 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. The person who made the statement has to have made it with a known or reckless disregard of the truth. This article discusses a matter related to the fifth element, the prohibition against strict liability. More... |
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| Federal Tort Claims Act -- Notice of Claim |
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| Under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), a person who plans to file a personal injury action against the federal government must present a written "notice of claim," or "administrative claim," to the government agency that is allegedly responsible for the injury. A notice of claim is a prerequisite to a personal injury action against the federal government. If no notice of claim has been given, a court will dismiss the action. More... |
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| Wrongful Death and Survival Statutes |
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| Every state has some type of wrongful death statute that allows for a decedent's beneficiaries to recover damages after a defendant willfully or negligently causes the decedent's death. More... |
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| Defamatory Statements |
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| 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 first element, making a false statement. A false statement of fact about a person that tends to harm the person's reputation is known as a defamatory statement. More... |
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| The Federal Claims Collection Act |
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| The Federal Claims Collection Act (FCCA) was enacted in 1982 in order to allow the federal government to recover compensation for damages to or for loss or destruction of government property. Under the FCCA, the government is entitled to recover compensation for damages that result from negligent or wrongful acts. More... |
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