Montana Code 75-11-322. Liability — defense and exclusions
75-11-322. Liability — defense and exclusions. (1) A person has a defense against liability in a tort action for damages suffered as a result of an act or omission that constitutes a violation of this part, a rule adopted under this part, or a condition of a permit or authorization required by a rule adopted under this part if the person can establish by a preponderance of the evidence that:
Terms Used In Montana Code 75-11-322
- Bankruptcy: Refers to statutes and judicial proceedings involving persons or businesses that cannot pay their debts and seek the assistance of the court in getting a fresh start. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Foreclosure: A legal process in which property that is collateral or security for a loan may be sold to help repay the loan when the loan is in default. Source: OCC
- Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
- Person: includes a corporation or other entity as well as a natural person. See Montana Code 1-1-201
- Tort: A civil wrong or breach of a duty to another person, as outlined by law. A very common tort is negligent operation of a motor vehicle that results in property damage and personal injury in an automobile accident.
(a)the person is a government entity that acquired ownership or control through bankruptcy, tax delinquency, abandonment, or lien foreclosure in which the government entity acquired title by virtue of the government entity’s authority;
(b)the person has not caused or contributed to the violation; and
(c)the person is making an effort to abate the violation.
(2)For the purposes of this part, “government entity” includes a consolidated city-county, a county, and an incorporated city or town.