North Carolina § 1-538 - 1. Strict liability for damage to person or property by minors.
Full text of North Carolina North Carolina General Statutes § 1-538 — 1. Strict liability for damage to person or property by minors., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 1-538. 1. Strict liability for damage to person or property by minors.
Any person or other legal entity shall be entitled to recover actual damages suffered in an amount not to exceed a total of two thousand dollars ($2,000) from the parent or parents of any minor who shall maliciously or willfully injure such person or destroy the real or personal property of such person. Parents whose custody and control have been removed by court order or by contract prior to the act complained of shall not be liable under this act. This act shall not preclude or limit recovery of damages from parents under common law remedies available in this State. History (1961, c. 1101; 1981, c. 414, s. 1; 1993, c. 540, s. 1.) Legal Periodicals. - For survey of 1981 tort law, see 60 N.C.L. Rev. 1465 (1982). For article, "The Case for Nonmutual Privity in Vicarious Liability Relationships: Pushing the Frontiers of the Law of Claim Preclusion," see 39 Campbell L. Rev. 1 (2017).
Source: official North Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina § 1-538
What does North Carolina General Statutes § 1-538 cover?
Section 1-538 ("1. Strict liability for damage to person or property by minors.") is part of the North Carolina General Statutes, the codified statutory law of North Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite North Carolina § 1-538?
A common citation format is "North Carolina General Statutes § 1-538" (North Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of North Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Carolina attorney.
How does North Carolina § 1-538 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in North Carolina.