Eric Helland, associate professor of economics and co-author of Using Placebo Laws to Test "More Guns, Less Crime": A Note, and Regulation and Evolution of Corporate Boards: Monitoring, Advising or Window Dressing?, will discuss "Judge and Jury: American Tort Law on Trial" at the Marian Miner Cook Athenaeum on Tuesday, Oct. 25. The public portion of the event begins at 6:45 p.m.; seating is free, on a first-come basis.
Helland, whose teaching and research interests include law and economics, public choice, environmental economics, and industrial organization, will analyze the tort system the body of law that prevents and punishes accidents. Helland's address is expected to address, specifically, three of the key players: juries, judges, and lawyers, and examine the social costs of class action lawsuits, medical malpractice insurance, workers' compensation, and punitive damages.
Helland joined the College in 1998 and is a senior economist at the RAND Corporation's Institute for Civil Justice. In 2003, he served as senior economist on the President's Council of Economic Advisers. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri, and master's and doctorate degrees from Washington University.