P1.16
Weather Disasters and the Law
Marsha L. Baum, Univ. of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM
Weather and law are interconnected in a variety of ways. Criminals have used the weather as tool and as defense. In the non-criminal context, issues such as liability for injuries, commitment of the homeless, environmental impact, and regulation of the businesses such as the insurance industry are affected by the weather. The justice system has been affected by the weather from the admission of weather evidence to a lack of access to the courts due to the weather. The law can provide a possible avenue for relief from injury caused by weather-related incidents and disasters and can also provide a excuse from liability for injuries resulting from weather events.
Law and weather both affect Americans every day. This presentation will explore the areas in which law and weather intersect and the ways in which the law is changing and developing to provide relief and to prevent recovery or conviction in both the criminal and civil litigation areas. The topics covered will range from situations as diverse as the murderer convicted by weather evidence to suits for civil rights violations in the aftermath of weather events such as Hurricance Katrina. The presentation will look at the law related to weather in the United States in the context of specific cases, legislation, and administrative legal action.
Poster Session 1, Policy and Socio-Economic Research Posters
Wednesday, 23 January 2008, 2:30 PM-4:00 PM, Exhibit Hall B
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