ID : 104
Systems development ; Studies ; Products liability ; Injuries ; Federal regulation
Defects in computer-based systems (CBS) can adversely affect systems development efforts and can present serious legal challenges to developers.  Of particular significance are the torts of strict products liability and negligence that can arise as a result of harm or injury resulting from, among other things, poor testing systems, inadequate warnings, or failure to use state-of-the-art technology.  The threat of injury has caused federal and state agencies and legislatures to consider seriously courses of action to inhibit the more injurious effects of such systems.  These 2 torts are examined in some detail and how CBS developers could be threatened as a result of defective systems is illustrated.  A framework for injury assessment and reduction of legal liability can be used to guide CBS developers in assessing the possibility of injury resulting from development flaws.
A framework to limit systems developers' legal liabilities, Bordoloi, Bijoy ;  Mykytyn, Kathleen ;  Mykytyn, Peter P Jr, Journal of Management Information Systems, 12:4, Spring 1996
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