Accidental Justice: The Dilemmas of Tort Law (Revised)

Yale Contemporary Law Series

by Peter A. Bell, Jeffrey O'Connell

A woman suffers paralyzing injuries in a car accident but fails in court to prove the other driver's fault. She loses her case and is left bankrupt as well as maimed. An intoxicated man stumbles in the path of a subway train. He sues the local transit authority and wins a $9 million judgment. Real-life tort (or accident) cases like these inspire outrage against a system that seems frustratingly slow, inequitable, and expensive. In this even-handed and fascinating book, two leading tort experts explain to lay readers the strengths and weaknesses of our tort law system. Peter Bell and Jeffrey O'Connell demystify tort law and bring to life the process of tort litigation.

The roots of tort law lie in human suffering, maimed bodies, shattered spirits, and extinguished lives, say the authors. They discuss tort law's compensatory and deterrent functions; its delays, fortuity, and high transaction costs (mostly in lawyer's fees); and its role in discouraging harmful―as well as, on occasion, useful―activities. In a discussion of mass toxic tort cases, the authors investigate the ability of the courts to deal adequately with huge suits (related to breast implants or tobacco-related illnesses, for example) that involve massive numbers of claimants. Bell and O'Connell conclude with an objective review of such current reform enactments and proposals as no-fault insurance, caps on damages, and contingency fee reform.

Genres: Law

283 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

Reviews

[Kaitlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was interesting but it seemed very repetitive. I understand that tort law is very convoluted but it seemed to make a point on one page and on the next page have an argument against it. I learned a lot but it was a bit dense.

[Lauren Weyer]

Awesome book, minus the retard drunk guy who fell in a whole.