Faculty Journal Articles and Book Chapters
Abstract
People thinking about contractual arbitration clauses usually envision the resulting disputes as contractual in nature. However, there is also a group of cases in which the clauses are used to compel arbitration of personal injury claims. This article examines those cases, including the impact of the Federal Arbitration Act on their enforcement. Next, the article considers the ways in which these pre-dispute, mandatory arbitration clauses can disturb the traditional values of procedural justice, contractual fairness, and the enforcement of tort-based duties. Finally, the article proposes changes in the law of arbitration and evaluates whether such changes are politically feasible.
Publication Title
Law and Contemporary Problems
Document Type
Article
Keywords
arbitration, torts, personal injury, contracts, procedure, discovery, jury, class action
Recommended Citation
Elizabeth G. Thornburg, Contracting With Tortfeasors: Mandatory Arbitration Clauses and Personal Injury Claims,
Included in
Civil Procedure Commons, Contracts Commons, Dispute Resolution and Arbitration Commons, Torts Commons