Disaster, litigation, and the corrosive community

    Authors

    J. S. Picou; B. K. Marshall;D. A. Gill

    Comments

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    Abbreviated Journal Title

    Soc. Forces

    Keywords

    VALDEZ OIL-SPILL; WEATHERED CRUDE-OIL; TECHNOLOGICAL DISASTER; SOCIAL-ORGANIZATION; DAMAGE ASSESSMENT; FISH EMBRYOS; FIT INDEXES; STRESS; ACCIDENT; RISK; Sociology

    Abstract

    Disaster researchers have debated the utility of distinguishing "natural" from "technological" catastrophes. We suggest that litigation serves as a source of chronic stress for victims of human-caused disasters involved in court deliberations for damages. Data from the Exxon Valdez oil spill are used to evaluate a social structural model of disaster impacts three and one-half years after the event. Results suggest that the status of litigant and litigation stress serve as prominent sources of perceived community damage and event-related psychological stress. We conclude that litigation is a critical characteristic of technological disasters that precludes timely community recovery and promotes chronic social and psychological impacts. Suggestions for alternatives to litigation are provided.

    Journal Title

    Social Forces

    Volume

    82

    Issue/Number

    4

    Publication Date

    1-1-2004

    Document Type

    Article

    Language

    English

    First Page

    1493

    Last Page

    1522

    WOS Identifier

    WOS:000222144600009

    ISSN

    0037-7732

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