Angelova, Vera, Attanasi, Giuseppe Marco and Hiriart, Yolande (2012) Relative Performance of Liability Rules: Experimental Evidence. TSE Working Paper, n. 12-304

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Abstract

We compare the performance of liability rules for managing environmental disasters when third parties are harmed and cannot always be compensated. A
firm can invest in safety to reduce the likelihood of accidents. The firm’s investment is unobservable to authorities. Externality and asymmetric information call for public intervention to define rules aimed at increasing prevention. We determine the investment in safety under No Liability, Strict Liability and Negligence, and compare it to the first best. Additionally, we investigate how the (dis)ability of the firm to fully cover potential damages affects the firm’s behavior. An experiment tests the theoretical predictions. In line with theory, Strict Liability and Negligence are equally effective; both perform better than No Liability; investment in safety is not sensitive to the ability of the firm to compensate potential victims. In contrast with theory, prevention rates absent liability are much higher and liability is much less effective than predicted.

Item Type: Monograph (Working Paper)
Language: English
Date: April 2012
Uncontrolled Keywords: Risk Regulation, Liability Rules, Incentives, Insolvency, Experiment
JEL Classification: D82 - Asymmetric and Private Information
K13 - Tort Law and Product Liability
K32 - Environmental, Health, and Safety Law
Q58 - Government Policy
Subjects: B- ECONOMIE ET FINANCE
Divisions: TSE-R (Toulouse)
Site: UT1
Date Deposited: 09 Jul 2014 17:25
Last Modified: 18 Apr 2024 11:49
OAI Identifier: oai:tse-fr.eu:25820
URI: https://publications.ut-capitole.fr/id/eprint/15280
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