2021 US Code
Title 42 - The Public Health and Welfare
Chapter 21 - Civil Rights
Subchapter I - Generally
Sec. 1986 - Action for neglect to prevent

Download PDF
Citation 42 U.S.C. § 1986 (2021)
Section Name §1986. Action for neglect to prevent
Section Text

Every person who, having knowledge that any of the wrongs conspired to be done, and mentioned in section 1985 of this title, are about to be committed, and having power to prevent or aid in preventing the commission of the same, neglects or refuses so to do, if such wrongful act be committed, shall be liable to the party injured, or his legal representatives, for all damages caused by such wrongful act, which such person by reasonable diligence could have prevented; and such damages may be recovered in an action on the case; and any number of persons guilty of such wrongful neglect or refusal may be joined as defendants in the action; and if the death of any party be caused by any such wrongful act and neglect, the legal representatives of the deceased shall have such action therefor, and may recover not exceeding $5,000 damages therein, for the benefit of the widow of the deceased, if there be one, and if there be no widow, then for the benefit of the next of kin of the deceased. But no action under the provisions of this section shall be sustained which is not commenced within one year after the cause of action has accrued.

Source Credit

(R.S. §1981.)


Editorial Notes EDITORIAL NOTES CODIFICATION

R.S. §1981 derived from act Apr. 20, 1871, ch. 22, §6, 17 Stat. 15.

Section was formerly classified to section 48 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality.

Publication Title United States Code, 2018 Edition, Supplement 3, Title 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 42 - THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
CHAPTER 21 - CIVIL RIGHTS
SUBCHAPTER I - GENERALLY
Sec. 1986 - Action for neglect to prevent
Contains section 1986
Date 2021
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 3, 2022
Positive Law No
Disposition standard
Statutes at Large References 17 Stat. 15
Disclaimer: These codes may not be the most recent version. United States may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.