Bibliograph

The myth of the litigious society, why we don't sue, David M. Engel

Type

Label

The myth of the litigious society, why we don't sue, David M. Engel

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 211-222) and index

Illustrations

illustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The myth of the litigious society

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

934279936

Responsibility statement

David M. Engel

Series statement

Chicago series in law and society

Sub title

why we don't sue

Summary

880-01, "With this book, David M. Engel demolishes the myth that America is a litigious society. The sobering reality is that the vast majority of injury victims—more than nine out of ten—rely on their own resources, family and friends, and government programs to cover their losses. When real people experience serious injuries, they don't respond as rational actors. Trauma and pain disrupt their thoughts, and potential claims are discouraged by negative stereotypes that pervade American television and popular culture. (Think Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad, who keeps a box of neck braces in his office to help clients exaggerate their injuries.) Cultural norms make preventable injuries appear inevitable—or the victim's fault. We're taught to accept setbacks stoically and not blame someone else. But this tendency to "lump it" doesn't just hurt the victims; it hurts us all. As politicians continue to push reforms that miss the real problem, we risk losing these claims as a way to quickly identify unsafe products and practices. Because injuries disproportionately fall on people with fewer resources, the existing framework creates a social underclass whose needs must be met by government programs all citizens shoulder while shielding those who cause the harm. It's time for America to have a more responsible, blame-free discussion about injuries and the law. With The Myth of the Litigious Society, Engel takes readers clearly and powerfully through what we really know about injury victims and concludes with recommendations for how we might improve the situation." Book jacket

Table Of Contents

The case of the missing plaintiff -- Like it or lump it? -- How real people experience injuries -- You think with your body? -- Theories, models, dogs, and fleas -- Causation, cognition, and injury -- The physical environment of injuries -- The social and cultural environment of injuries -- The influence of others and the decision to lump -- Conclusion

Classification