Uncertainty and the Advantage of Collective Settlement

15 Pages Posted: 18 Jul 2010

Abstract

This essay explores whether collective settlements offer advantages for achieving just outcomes in light of the various types of uncertainty that arise in mass disputes. Looking in particular at the example of product liability litigation, one can identify at least six areas of potential uncertainty: general causation, liability, exposure, product identification, individual causation, and damages. The essay analyzes each of these six types of uncertainty in terms of the relative advantages of individual adjudication, collective adjudication, individual settlement, and collective settlement. While collective settlement in any case offers the benefits of compromise and efficiency, the justice advantages of collective settlement are most pronounced in cases involving uncertainty regarding product identification, damages, and above all, individual causation. Among mass disputes involving uncertain individual causation, it is possible to identify those disputes that present the strongest opportunities for just outcomes through collective settlements.

Keywords: collective settlement, uncertainty, mass tort, aggregate settlement, class action, specific causation, indeterminate plaintiff, proportional liability

JEL Classification: K13, K41

Suggested Citation

Erichson, Howard M., Uncertainty and the Advantage of Collective Settlement. DePaul Law Review, Vol. 60, No. 2, 2011, Fordham Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 1641390, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1641390

Howard M. Erichson (Contact Author)

Fordham University School of Law ( email )

150 West 62nd Street
New York, NY 10023
United States
646-312-8233 (Phone)

Do you have a job opening that you would like to promote on SSRN?

Paper statistics

Downloads
166
Abstract Views
1,370
Rank
342,120
PlumX Metrics