A comparative account of the scientific and legal issues related to proof of causation in alleged cases of drug-induced injury, principally in the UK, Europe, and North America. In four case studies (DES, Bondoctin, vaccine damage, and the Gulf War Syndrome) the authors argue that current methods towards causation could be improved by using probabilistic approaches that give greater weight to epidemiological statistics, as refined by the application of Bayes' Theorem. The economic implications of the proposals are discussed. Distributed by ISBS. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

This book takes an original and comparative approach to issues of causation in tort law across many European legal systems.

Tort law and criminal law are closely bound together but their relationship rarely receives sustained and rigorous scrutiny. This is the first significant project in England and Wales to address that shortcoming. Building on growing interest amongst both academics and practitioners in the relationship between tort and crime, it draws together leading experts to chart the field and explore key points of interest. It uses a range of perspectives from legal theory, doctrine, legal history and comparative law to address some of the most important and interesting links between tort and crime. Examples include how the illegality defence operates to avoid stultification of the law, the difference between criminal and civil causation, how the Motor Insurers' Bureau not only insures but acts to enforce laws and alter behaviour, and why civil law only very rarely restores specific property but the criminal law does it daily.

An updated and extended second edition supporting the findings of its well-known predecessor which claimed that courts employ common-sense notions of causation in determining legal responsibility.

The foundation of tort law in various European legal systems differs considerably. A group of tort lawyers, the "European Group on Tort Law", proposes to address the fundamental questions underlying every tort law system. They aim at identifying these principles, thus searching for a common law of Europe, without the necessity yet to lay these principles down in formal legal texts, such as a European civil code. Discussing the most relevant factors in establishing liability as wrongfulness, causation, damage, fault and the area of strict liability the group is concentrating on the topic "causation" in this book, trying to combine theoretical abstract analysis with the discussion of concrete cases. Firstly, the authors give an overview of causation under their national legal systems, especially by working out its concept and its importance in establishing liability. Secondly, concrete cases are solved. The following comparative conclusions aim at the co-ordination of the results and the supplementation of other important factors.

A clear, critical analysis of proof of causation in the law of tort in England, France and Germany.

This discussion of causal uncertainty in tort liability shows the important normative, epistemological and procedural implications of the various proposed solutions, and will be of interest to legal scholars, legal philosophers and advanced tort law students.

A favorite among successful students, and often recommended by professors, the unique Examples & Explanations series gives you extremely clear introductions to concepts followed by realistic examples that mirror those presented in the classroom throughout the semester. Use at the beginning and midway through the semester to deepen your understanding through clear explanations, corresponding hypothetical fact patterns, and analysis. Then use to study for finals by reviewing the hypotheticals as well as the structure and reasoning behind the accompanying analysis. Designed to complement your casebook, the trusted Examples & Explanations titles get right to the point in a conversational, often humorous style that helps you learn the material each step of the way and prepare for the exam at the end of the course. The unique, time-tested Examples & Explanations series is invaluable to teach yourself the subject from the first day of class until your last review before the final. Each guide: helps you learn new material by working through chapters that explain each topic in simple languagechallenges your understanding with hypotheticals similar to those presented in classprovides valuable opportunity to study for the final by reviewing the hypotheticals as well as the structure and reasoning behind the corresponding analysisquickly gets to the point in conversational style laced with humorremains a favorite among law school studentsis often recommended by professors who encourage the use of study guidesworks with ALL the major casebooks, suits any class on a given topicprovides an alternative perspective to help you understand your casebook and in-class lectures

Christina Brooks Whitman, Francis A. Allen Collegiate Professor of Law, University of Michigan Law School --

Utilizing a comparative examination of case-law from England, Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, this volume provides a comprehensive and systematic study of the law of intervening causation (novus actus interveniens) to present an analysis of this particular judicial limitation of liability device. The work provides a structure from which to formulate core general legal principles and identify the various legal tests utilized by the courts.