
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 42USC1986]

 
                 TITLE 42--THE PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELFARE
 
                        CHAPTER 21--CIVIL RIGHTS
 
                         SUBCHAPTER I--GENERALLY
 
Sec. 1986. Action for neglect to prevent

    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.

(R.S. Sec. 1981.)

                          Codification

    R.S. Sec. 1981 derived from act Apr. 20, 1871, ch. 22, Sec. 6, 17 
Stat. 15.
    Section was formerly classified to section 48 of Title 8, Aliens and 
Nationality.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 1988 of this title.
