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.
Lansford is a borough in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, 27 miles (43 km) north of Allentown. Settled in 1845, Lansford was incorporated in 1876. In 1900, 4,888 people lived in Lansford; in 1910, 8,321 people inhabited it, and in 1940, 8,710 residents called Lansford home. The population was 4,230 at the 2000 census. Lansford is located 9 miles (15 km) south of Hazleton, near anthracite coal mines. The old No. 9 Wash Shanty coal mine in Lansford, which operated from 1855 to 1972, is now open as a tourist attraction offering tours of the mine. One of the bosses of the mine was shot as part of the union strife which included the trial of the Molly Maguires. A museum displaying a collection of mining artifacts is also on the site.