Role of Litigation in Preventing Product-related Injuries
- Autores: Jon S. Vernick, Julie Samia Mair
- Localización: Epidemiologic reviews, ISSN 0193-936X, ISSN-e 1478-6729, Vol 25, 2003, págs. 90-98
- Idioma: inglés
- Enlaces
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Resumen
Injuries and the law are connected in many important ways. The law can be a powerful tool for reducing the risk of injury (1). Laws can compel certain individual behaviors, such as seatbelt use, and prohibit other behaviors, such as speeding, to protect the safety of us all. Laws can also require product manufacturers to design and market their products in a manner that will reduce the likelihood of injury.
Product safety rules are enacted at all levels of government—federal, state, and local. Sometimes these laws, called statutes, are enacted directly by a legislature. Often, however, the details of safe design are delegated to administrative agencies, such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Consumer Product Safety Commission, for promulgation and enforcement. These administrative rulings are referred to as “regulations.” There is a substantial body of literature that evaluates the effectiveness of a variety of product safety statutes and regulations, and often they have been proven effective in controlling the risk of injury (1, 2).
