Data Watch: Tort-uring the Data

Authors: Helland, Eric; Klick, Jonathan; Tabarrok, Alexander

Source: The Journal of Economic Perspectives, Volume 19, Number 2, Spring 2005 , pp. 207-220(14)

Publisher: American Economic Association

Key:

- Free Content

- New Content

- Subscribed Content

- Free Trial Content

Abstract:

This article discusses data available for researchers interested in the U.S. civil justice system and illustrates the uses of the various datasets with some interesting findings. Our focus is on torts, defined as an injury to person or property that is not covered by contract and for which civil liability may be imposed. The most common tort is the result of an auto accident. We discuss data useful for analyzing trends, data that are useful for cross-sectional research and finally data covering only a specific type of civil litigation such as medical malpractice. We conclude by discussing the limitations of all civil litigation data.

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1257/0895330054048669

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$19.00 plus tax Refund Policy