2. Civil immunity for use of force. (a) General rule.-- An actor who uses force: (1) in self-protection as provided in 18 Pa.C.S. § 505 (relating to use of force in self-protection); (2) in the protection of other persons as provided in 18 Pa.C.S. § 506 (relating to use
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes
Section: 83402
Jurisdiction: PA
Bluebook Citation: 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 83402
§ 8340.2. Civil immunity for use of force. (a) General rule.-- An actor who uses force: (1) in self-protection as provided in 18 Pa.C.S. § 505 (relating to use of force in self-protection); (2) in the protection of other persons as provided in 18 Pa.C.S. § 506 (relating to use
of force for the protection of other persons); (3) for the protection of property as provided in 18 Pa.C.S. § 507 (relating to use of
force for the protection of property); (4) in law enforcement as provided in 18 Pa.C.S. § 508 (relating to use of force in law
enforcement); or (5) consistent with the actor's special responsibility for care, discipline or safety
of others as provided in 18 Pa.C.S. § 509 (relating to use of force by persons with
special responsibility for care, discipline or safety of others) is justified in using such force and shall be immune from civil liability for personal
injuries sustained by a perpetrator which were caused by the acts or omissions of
the actor as a result of the use of force. (b) Attorney fees and costs.-- If the actor who satisfies the requirements of subsection (a) prevails in a civil
action initiated by or on behalf of a perpetrator against the actor, the court shall
award reasonable expenses to the actor. Reasonable expenses shall include, but not
be limited to, attorney fees, expert witness fees, court costs and compensation for
loss of income. (c) Definition.-- As used in this section, the term "perpetrator" shall mean a person against whom an
actor is justified in using force as provided by 18 Pa.C.S. § 505, 506, 507, 508 or
509. (June 28, 2011, P.L.48, No.10, eff. 60 days) 2011 Amendment. Act 10 added section 8340.2. See the preamble to Act 10 in the appendix to this title
for special provisions relating to legislative findings.
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