Toxics Regulation and Product Liability: Decreasing Exposure in the Workplace, Increasing Exposure in the Courts

December 1983
Citation:
13
ELR 10418
Issue
12
Author
Timothy Atkeson

Editors' Summary: Recent OSHA and EPA regulations will promote investigation and disclosure of the health hazards posed by toxic substances. The regulations will also provide potential plaintiffs with the information they need to win product liability suits. Mr. Atkeson analyzes recent rules and statutory provisions that may affect product liability exposure. He concludes that although the new laws will encourage suits, the laws ultimately will reduce toxic exposures and promote equitable assessment of victim compensation costs.

Mr. Atkeson is a member of Steptoe & Johnson, Chartered, Washington, D.C. He serves on the Board of the Environmental Law Institute and teaches environmental regulation of chemicals at the Georgetown University Law School.

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