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Common Law Tort Action Against Person Having Sexual Relations with Female Child

Under the common law, a person who has sexual relations with a female child is liable to the child's parent for damages. The tort action is based on the parent's lack of consent. Damages are based on the parent's loss of services or the medical expenses that the parent incurred on behalf of the child as a result of the sexual relations. Although these types of cases are quite rare and some states have abolished actions for these types of cases, there are still some states in which the cause of action may be maintained.

Opinion and Other Defenses to Defamation

Defamation lawsuits are not easy to win because the plaintiff must both prove the difficult elements of his or her case and avoid the many defenses to defamation. This article discusses some of the standard defenses to defamation, including the defense of opinion.

Comparative Negligence vs. Contributory Negligence

Under the legal doctrine of comparative negligence, when both the plaintiff and the defendant are guilty of negligence, the plaintiff's damage award will be reduced by the amount of his responsibility for the accident. For example, a motorcycle rider collides with a truck driver at an intersection.

Truth and Privilege Defenses to Defamation

Defamation lawsuits are not easy to win because the plaintiff must both prove the difficult elements of his or her case and avoid the many defenses to defamation. This article discusses some of the standard defenses to defamation, including truth and privilege.

Res Ipsa Loquitur

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.