Seeing is believing; or is it? An emperical study of computer simulations as evidence.

Relying on the old adage, seeing is believing, we conclude that the jury may give undue weight to an animated reconstruction of the accident .... It would be an inordinately difficult task for the plaintiff to counter, by cross-examination or otherwise, the impression that a computerized depiction of the accident is necessarily more accurate than an oral description of how the accident occurred. Because the expert\u27s conclusion would be graphically depicted in a moving and animated form, the viewing of the computer simulation might more readily lead the jury to accept the data and premises underlying the defendant\u27s expert\u27s opinion... than it might if the jury were forced to evaluate the expert\u27s opinion in the light of the testimony of all of the witnesses, as generally occurs in such cases

The Effect of Lifting the Blindfold From Civil Juries Charged with Apportioning Damages in Modified Comparative Fault Cases: An Empirical Study of the Alternatives

Focuses on a study on the effect of lifting the blindfold from civil juries charged with apportioning damages in modified comparative fault cases. Historical background on comparative fault in the United States; Origin of blindfolding; Comparison of blindfold modified comparative fault verdicts with sunshine verdicts; Conclusions

Time Limitations under State Occupational Disease Acts

Compensation for the employees who are the victims of delayed manifestation occupational diseases such as asbestosis and silicosis presents a very real problem for existing state workers\u27 compensation schemes. In the interests of ease of administration and certainty, most state occupational disease acts have established time limitations for the filing of claims. The limitation periods generally were adopted at a time when the effects of exposure to toxic substances in the workplace were virtually unknown and thus fail to provide protection for the victims of delayed manifestation occupational diseases. This Article reviews the various limitation periods which presently govern state occupational disease acts. The Article demonstrates the need for greater national uniformity of workers\u27 compensation law and the importance of coordinating the workers\u27 compensation system more closely with the tort system, with regulatory schemes governing the workplace, and with other social compensation mechanisms. The Article concludes with various recommendations for legislators of occupational disease acts

The Empirical Legal Research Initiative: An Interim Report to the Academy

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Holcomb Research Institute and the College of Business at Butler University, the Summer Grant Program of the School of Business at Indiana University, the Faculty Development Grant Program of Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis and the Academy of Legal Studies in Business

Using a Jury Simulation as a Classroom Exercise

The authors\u27 empirical research project considers the effects of differences in actual legal rules on jury decisions and, concurrently, gives business students the opportunity to participate in a realistic jury experience. The project uses actual trial evidence to produce a videotaped simulated trial presentation thereby insuring that the testimony, legal arguments, jury instructions and facts are realistic. To date, approximately 2,000 business students have participated in the simulation, under the supervision of 13 different Academy members at 11 different universities. This article describes the project and its curricular benefits within the context of an introductory course in law