Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Belgium

What are my rights

I was divorced three years ago. My divorce was caused because my former wife met a man on the Internet. She began an online relationship, which evolved into a phone relationship, which led to his coming to this country for visits. The man with whom my wife began this Internet affair is a Belgian National who works for the cargo division of Saudi Arabian Airlines at their facility at the Brussels International Airport. Most of the Internet, and a significant amount of the phone, contact was while this man was at work. He would chat with her for hours and later accept and make phone calls to her, also from work. Obviously had this man received proper supervision these events would not have occurred. It cost me my marriage and significant financial hardship. I have contacted Saudi Arabian airlines, supplied them with documentation of these facts. They have replied, telling me ''action will be taken.'' The essence of my question is, because this occurred while this man was suppossed to be working, is it possible that Saudi Arabian Airlines can be held libel for the financial impact on me that their failure to properly supervise their employee caused? I would like to know the what the possibility of a financial settlement are.


Asked on 9/03/04, 1:15 am

2 Answers from Attorneys

Thomas Zimmerman Zimmerman Law Office

Re: What are my rights

In my opinion, the facts you state do not give rise to a cause of action against the employer in contract or in tort.

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Answered on 9/03/04, 8:07 am
Philippe Bouckaert Bouckaertlaw

Re: What are my rights

What you seem to be looking for is called under Anglo-Saxon law "collateral damage". This notion is not known under Belgian law whereas you are only entitled to compensation for a direct damage provided that you can prove a damage , a fault and a direct link between both .These are the principles set for by article 1382 Civil Code (Tort) Especially the burden of the proof which would lie with you looks very tough to be realized. I can�t advise legal procedures.

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Answered on 9/06/04, 12:25 pm


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