The myth of the litigious society
Subtitle: why we don't sue
By: David M. Engel
Series: The Chicago series in law and society; Chicago series in law and society
Publisher: The University of Chicago Press
Published: 2016
Language: eng
Number of pages: 232
ISBN-13: 9780226305042
Subjects: Accident victims; Torts; Personal injuries; Psychology; Psychological aspects
Description: "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 dont respond as rational actors. Trauma and pain disrupt their decision making, 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.) Social norms convince us that injuries are natural even when they could be easily prevented, and the psychology of self-blame makes many victims reluctant to hold negligent actors accountable. But this widespread tendency to "lump it" doesn't just hurt the victims; it hurts us all"--Book jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (pages 199-222) and index.
Table of contents: title: The case of the missing plaintiff; title: "Like it or lump it"; title: How real people experience injuries; title: "You think with your body"; title: Theories, models, dogs, and fleas; title: Causation, cognition, and injury; title: The physical environment of injuries; title: The social and cultural environment of injuries; title: The influence of others and the decision to lump; title: Conclusion.