RAND Institute for Civil Justice

Since 1979, the RAND Institute for Civil Justice has been dedicated to making the civil justice system more efficient and more equitable. Our research is supported by pooled grants from corporations, trade and professional associations, and individuals; by government grants and contacts; and by private foundations. The Institute disseminates its work widely to the legal, business, and research communities, and to the general public.

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Research and Commentary

  • Bottles containing a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, photo by Max Rode/Adobe Stock

    COVID-19 Vaccinations: Liability and Compensation Considerations for Policymakers

    Sep 21, 2020

    Vaccine development is only one part of the challenge in creating an immunization campaign to stop the pandemic. Once a safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is ready, liability and compensation issues could affect its distribution and administration.

  • Woman in a face mask having her temperature scanned, photo by whyframestudio/Getty Images

    Can Workers' Compensation Help Businesses Reopen More Safely?

    Sep 9, 2020

    Workers' compensation typically does not cover common infectious diseases like COVID-19. But in the fight against the pandemic, state policymakers might take a fresh look at aspects of labor and business regulation that usually fade into the background and ask if modest changes hold any potential to reduce disease transmission.

  • Construction workers have their temperatures checked on a job site, photo by Maha Heang 245789/Adobe Stock

    Should COVID-19 Be Covered by Workers' Compensation?

    Aug 31, 2020

    Expanding workers' compensation coverage for COVID-19 could be part of a broader response to ensuring an efficient economic recovery from the pandemic. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks?

  • The Public Health Value of Opioid Litigation

    Jul 31, 2020

    Opioid litigation is not a comprehensive solution to the opioid crisis, but it can complement other strategies and infuse much needed money, behavior changes, and public accountability for prescription opioid and related harms.

  • Finger stopping wooden dominoes from falling over, photo by simarik/Getty Images

    Key Questions to Ask in Designing a Pandemic Risk Insurance Program

    Jul 27, 2020

    Congress is considering establishing an insurance program that would make business interruption coverage for pandemics less expensive and more widely available. We have identified several key questions that policymakers could consider when designing a pandemic risk insurance program.

  • A member of the Seattle Fire Department leaves the scene following a medical response as efforts continue to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in Seattle, Washington, U.S. March 31, 2020, photo by Jason Redmond/Reuters

    The Justice System and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Resources for Policymakers

    Apr 20, 2020

    From closed courts to increased risk for first responders, the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced new challenges for the justice system. RAND research provides insights that may be helpful as decisionmakers try and address some of these issues.