Civil law, as opposed to criminal law, is the branch of law dealing with disputes between individuals and/or organizations, in which compensation may be awarded to the victim. For instance, if a car crash victim claims damages against the driver for loss or injury sustained in an accident, this will be a civil law case. Civil law courts provide a forum for deciding disputes involving torts (such as accidents, negligence, and libel), contract disputes, the probate of wills, trusts, property disputes, administrative law, commercial law, and any other private matters that involve private parties or organizations including government departments. The objectives of civil law are different from other types of law. In civil law there is the attempt to right a wrong, honor an agreement, or settle a dispute. If there is a victim, they get compensation, and the person who is the cause of the wrong pays, this being a civilized form of, or legal alternative to, revenge.
Balm is an unincorporated, rural community located in southeastern Hillsborough County, Florida, approximately 18 miles southeast of Tampa. It is the location of Goodson Farms packing house and vegetable/fruit stand. In 2005, Goodsons had begun rebuilding the stand on the intersection of McGrady Road and 301. It was completed in late 2006. There are also four tropical fish farms and a small holding area for Barnum and Bailey's circus animals. One well known landmark is the Balm post office, which has been part of the community for over 50 years. The small town is undergoing construction of new houses and may eventually be upgraded to a suburb, hopefully bringing mail delivery and broadband Internet service to the area. As of today, the town is constantly being neglected by the county. On January 17, 2007, it was announced that a previously scheduled mitigation project had been canceled. This was attributed to the weak real-estate.