Can moderators be sued

I was just wondering, partly in reference to this thread (http://codingforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15396) but related to alot of questions in computer/pc issues. Without giving illegal infomation out it'd be very easy to give people infomation that'll lose them their job, get them in trouble with network admin, mess up their software, os or hardware. I try to give disclaimers where possible, for example, wherever regedit is concerned but was thinking of making a disclaimer sig just incase. I've had only good feedback in the computer/pc issues section.

I don't think anyone could sue me/us for giving bad advice could they?

Obviously it's always a good idea to issue a disclaimer and use good judgment whenever responding to a potentially controversial question, but to the topic at hand, I think it's really a matter of "can someone participating in an online forum be sued" versus just moderators. That's a question beyond the scope of this forum probably, and my understanding. I've yet to hear of anyone on large communities such as Slashdot or other large forums get sued. A good place to do more research is through News sites such as News.com, digging up past articles on the matter. In any event, a little common sense is all that's needed most of the time when interacting with others.

Couldn't you just put a disclaimer about how CF isn't responsible for damages... blah, blah, blah. In the TOS, if you felt it was worth the effort?

I've never heard of someone suing someone over advice they have given through a forum... it seems kinda rediculous to even think to do something like that.

Originally posted by oracleguy

I've never heard of someone suing someone over advice they have given through a forum... it seems kinda rediculous to even think to do something like that.
did you hear about the people suing mcdonalds for making them fat??
then they said they didnt know it would, and the advertising tricked them!

be afraid, be very afraid :D :D :D :D :D

People are being sued for anything and everything these days. My concern is that people being taken to court over libelous statements made on bb's and banks are being sued for giving customers bad investment advice, what goes around comes around.

This article is kind of what your talking about.

http://www.cnn.com/2003/EDUCATION/02/17/rating.professors.ap/index.html

In the article the last sentence sums it up:

"It's amazing," he said, "the number of professors with Ph.Ds who just don't get the concept of the First Amendment."

That was an interesting article.

cg9com, I have heard of that... your right... and some people are just dumber than 10 miles of dirt road.

As a representative of the Dirt Roads Association of America, i take offense at that remark. You can expect to hear from my lawer.

hahaha

Originally posted by joh6nn
As a representative of the Dirt Roads Association of America, i take offense at that remark. You can expect to hear from my lawer.

lol @ quote..

Aussies can sue people over the net legally. Most likely to win as well. I'd hardly dream of it myself but there are people who would.