The United States Supreme Court does not hear many tort cases. However, the Court released a tort opinion on Wednesday that held that the U.S. Postal Service is subject to personal injury lawsuits if they do not use due care when leaving mail at people’s homes.
The Pennsylvania plaintiff tripped and fell over mail left on her porch. She sued the Post Office, which claimed immunity. The Court reversed two lower court decisions dismissing the case, holding that that a federal law giving the post office immunity from certain claims was only intended to cut off lawsuits that arise from delivering the mail late or in a damaged condition.
The majority opinion was written by Justice Kennedy. Justice Thomas was the sole dissenter. Justice Alito did not participate.
Read the opinion here.