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Structured Settlements

When a plaintiff brings a personal injury action against a defendant for damages and the parties decide to settle the case, they may enter into a structured settlement to compensate the plaintiff for his injury. Structured settlements are monetary awards for damages that are paid in installments over a period of time. They are frequently used to settle tort cases involving severe injuries in which large damages are sought (e.g., products liability, medical malpractice, and wrongful death cases) because of the defendant's inability to pay the amount in one lump sum.

Hedonic Damages

In the context of personal injury law, "hedonic damages" are damages to compensate a plaintiff for "loss of enjoyment of life," i.e., a diminished ability to enjoy the day-to-day pleasures of life.

TORT LIABILITY OF TENANTS

Because a tenant is an occupier of property, the tenant is liable for all dangerous conditions or activities that are conducted on the property just as any other occupier of property would be. However, the tenant is only liable for areas over which the tenant has control. The tenant is not responsible for areas outside the leased premises or over which the landlord has control.

Damages in Actions Involving Recreational Boating Accidents

When an action involving a recreational boating accident is brought in accordance with federal admiralty law, such federal admiralty law controls the issue of damages. Damages under federal admiralty law are similar to damages under the common law.

Recovery by Guest in Automobile Cases

A "guest" in an automobile is a person who rides in an automobile driven by another person for his own pleasure or business without paying the driver or conferring any benefit on him. If the guest is injured while riding in the driver's automobile, he may be permitted to recover for any injuries that he suffers. His recovery will depend on whether or not a "guest statute" applies in the jurisdiction.