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.
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.
In a personal injury action, a plaintiff usually must prove that a defendant was negligent and that the defendant's negligence caused the plaintiff's injuries. However, in some cases, there is no direct evidence of negligence. For example, spectators are watching a basketball game in a high school gymnasium.
Under the common law, a person commits a tort when he or she fails to provide a public utility or a public facility to a member of the public. In order to be liable for this tort, the person must have a non-contractual duty to provide the public utility or the public facility to the public. A denial of the public utility or the public facility constitutes a breach of that duty.
The Jones Act applies only to a "seaman" who is injured while working aboard a vessel in navigable waters. In order to be a "seaman" within the meaning of the Jones Act, the worker must meet certain requirements.
