William Bryant Claiborne
Born and raised in Halifax county. Practice focus on Personal Injury, Family, Real Estate and Criminal law matters.
Personal Injury Newsletter
Governmental Immunity from Suit
 
If a party is injured by some act of a governmental unit, official, or agency, he may or may not be permitted to sue. The reason that he may be barred from suing is because of "sovereign immunity." Traditionally, this doctrine protected governmental units, officials, and agencies from liability based on their tortious acts unless they had consented to being sued. Now, this immunity has been waived in large part and only applies in certain circumstances.More...
 
Causing a Spouse to Separate from or to Refuse to Return to Another Spouse
 
Under the common law, there existed a tort for causing a spouse to separate from or to refuse to return to another spouse. Although most states have enacted statutes that have abolished the tort, there are a few states in which a spouse may bring an action against a third party for the tort. More...
 
Tort Action for Interference with a Dead Body
 
Under the common law, a person commits a tort when he or she intentionally, recklessly, or negligently removes, withholds, mutilates, or operates upon the body of a dead person or when he or she prevents the proper burial or cremation of the dead body. The person who commits this tort is liable for damages to the family member or members of the deceased person. More...
 
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. More...
 
The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act - Death Benefits
 
If a maritime employee's death was caused by a work related injury, the employee's widow, widower, or other eligible survivor may recover death benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act. The widow, widower, or survivor may also recover funeral expenses of up to $3,000.More...
 
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