Legal Definitions - limitation-of-liability act

A limitation-of-liability act is a law that limits the type of damages that can be recovered, the liability of certain people or groups, or the time during which legal action can be taken. For example, the Federal Tort Claims Act limits the liability of the federal government for certain torts. Immunity is a defense to tort liability that is granted to a group or class of people or entities under circumstances where public policy requires special protection for the person, activity, or entity in question at the expense of those injured by its tortious act.

Examples of immunity include:

• Judicial immunity: The immunity of a judge from civil liability arising from the performance of judicial duties.
• Prosecutorial immunity: The absolute immunity of a prosecutor from civil liability for decisions made and actions taken in a criminal prosecution.
• Parental immunity: The principle that children cannot sue their parents, and that parents cannot sue their children, for tort claims.

These examples illustrate how certain individuals or groups are granted immunity from liability for certain actions or decisions they make in their official capacity. This is often done to protect the public interest or to ensure that individuals can perform their duties without fear of legal repercussions.