The most frequent civil rights claims involve law enforcement conduct. This includes excessive force during an arrest, false arrest or imprisonment without probable cause, and malicious prosecution. Other common areas are jail or prison conditions constituting cruel and unusual punishment, and discrimination by government agencies based on race, sex, or disability. First Amendment retaliation claims, where a government employer punishes an employee for free speech, are also prevalent. Each type requires linking specific government action to a violation of a clearly established constitutional right.

Owners can be liable for injuries caused by any domestic animal with known dangerous tendencies. This commonly includes horses, farm animals, cats, and even exotic pets. The key is the owner’s knowledge of the animal’s propensity for dangerous behavior. For example, if a horse is known to kick or a cat has a history of unprovoked attacks, the owner has a duty to take precautions. For wild animals kept as pets, owners are almost always strictly liable for any injuries they cause.

Premises liability holds property owners or occupiers responsible for injuries caused by unsafe conditions on their land or buildings. The owner’s duty depends on why you were there. Highest protection is for invitees (like customers), who are owed regular inspections and repairs. For licensees (social guests), owners must warn of hidden dangers they know about. Trespassers are generally owed less duty. Common cases involve slip and falls from wet floors, poor lighting, broken stairs, or inadequate security that leads to an assault.

Harassment is unwelcome conduct based on a protected characteristic like race, sex, or age. It becomes illegal when enduring it becomes a condition of employment or it creates a hostile work environment. Bullying is repeated, unreasonable, and harmful behavior, but it is not illegal on a federal level unless it is tied to a protected characteristic. However, severe bullying can lead to other legal claims, such as intentional infliction of emotional distress, and may violate specific state or local laws.