Disaster Law and Policy, 3rd Edition

A unique and timely text in a burgeoning field, the Third Edition of Disaster Law and Policy takes a broad perspective that looks at the legal and political effects of disasters across the United States and around the world. Authors Daniel A. Farber, James Ming Chen, Robert R.M. Verchick, and Lisa Grow Sun examine the roles of lawyers and government in disaster prevention, emergency response, victim compensation, insurance, and rebuilding strategies. Materials include government reports, legal decisions, and readings drawn from a variety of disciplines. Memorable case studies and table-top exercises are added to help students evaluate and apply what they have learned. Ideal for law schools and for non-legal programs in disaster studies, Disaster Law and Policyshows how catastrophic events test the mettle of the legal structures and government programs charged with creating, preserving and rebuilding communities—particularly in times of greatest need.

The expanded Third Edition of Disaster Law and Policy examines:

• The role of public and private actors in preparing for and responding to catastrophic events— with special attention devoted to the post-Sandy National Response Framework, state-and federal relations, and the work of for-profit and non-profit organizations
• The causes of disasters and their relationship to globalization, natural resource protection, land use planning, and climate change
• Social vulnerability as an amplifier of disaster hazard, focusing in particular on issues of class, race, age, sex, sexual orientation, and physical disability.
• Risk and uncertainty in policy making—with reference to economics, complexity theory, organizational management, and social psychology.
• Compensation and insurance as means to make victims whole and set the stage for rebuilding— with important updates on post-Katrina litigation and the National Flood Insurance Program
• Recovery from disaster, including case studies on tornado recovery in Tuscaloosa; earthquake recovery in Christchurch, New Zealand; and flood recovery following Superstorm Sandy
• International disaster law and recent developments in disaster-risk management, the protection of human rights, and the preservation of ecosystem services
• The 2005 Asian Tsunami
• China’s Sichuan Earthquake
• Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar/Burma