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

  • Two toy vehicles in a collision on top of a manilla folder marked "Plaintiff v Defendant"

    The Effect of Mandatory Insurer Reporting on Settlement Delay

    Jan 22, 2021

    Medicare and some state Medicaid programs have taken steps to mandate reporting of personal injury awards. Analysis of a national dataset of automobile injury claims shows mandated reporting increased settlement time by an average of 36 days. Such delays could generate hundreds of millions of dollars in waiting costs each year.

  • Lynn Jones receives the COVID-19 vaccine at Jackson Madison County General Hospital in Jackson, Tennessee, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020, photo by Stephanie Amador/The Jackson Sun via Imagn Content Services, LLC/Reuters

    The Compensation System for Potential Side Effects Is an Important Part of a COVID-19 Vaccine Campaign

    Dec 18, 2020

    Concern about potential COVID-19 vaccine side effects and their consequences may be contributing to Americans' reluctance to get vaccinated. Policymakers and the public should carefully consider what types and levels of compensation for any adverse effects of vaccination are truly fair and appropriate.

  • 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.