Damages

About: Damages is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 9365 publications have been published within this topic receiving 89750 citations. The topic is also known as: compensation award.

October 23, 2011 Turkey/Van–Ercis earthquake: structural damages in the residential buildings

Abstract: On October 23, 2011, a magnitude of Mw 7.2 earthquake struck the Van province in eastern Turkey which caused approximately 600 life loss and 4,000 injured people. Although the recorded peak ground accelerations were relatively low (0.15–0.2 g) compared with that of other recent destructive Turkish earthquakes and the code-based design response spectrum, a large number of reinforced concrete buildings with 4–6 stories and non-engineered masonry buildings were either heavily damaged or collapsed in the region. Based on the post-earthquake technical inspections, the goal of this paper is to introduce major reasons for structural damages in the disaster area and to discuss these failures along with the approaches given in the design code which is renewed after August 17, 1999 Marmara Earthquake. Some remarkable lessons learned from earthquake-induced failures and damages specific to building construction techniques are presented in this paper.

International trade consequences of climate change

Abstract: This report provides an analysis of how climate change damages may affect international trade in the coming decades and how international trade can help limit the costs of climate change. It analyses the impacts of climate change on trade considering both direct effects on infrastructure and transport routes and the indirect economic impacts resulting from changes in endowments and production. A qualitative analysis with a literature review is used to present the direct effects of climate change. The indirect impacts of climate change damages on trade are analysed with the OECD’s ENV-Linkages model, a dynamic computable general equilibrium model with global coverage and sector-specific international trade flows. By building on the analysis in the OECD (2015) report "The Economic Consequences of Climate Change", the modelling analysis presents a plausible scenario of future socioeconomic developments and climate damages, to shed light on the mechanisms at work in explaining how climate change will affect trade.

Assessment of 2010 flood disaster causes and damages in district Muzaffargarh, Central Indus Basin, Pakistan

Abstract: In this paper, we assessed 2010 flood-generating factors and extent of damages in one of the severely affected areas in the Central Indus Basin, Pakistan. This study is based on mixed research approach. Primary data were collected through a standard questionnaire using random sampling techniques, unstructured interviews, and field observations. Secondary data were acquired from concerned government departments. Descriptive statistical analysis and spatial analysis techniques were applied to explore 2010 flood disaster causes and damages. Analysis revealed that the flood was generated by the 4-day wet spell (27–30 July 2010) in headwaters zone of the Himalaya–Hindu Kush region, Pakistan. This rainstorm generated heavy discharge in the Indus River system. In several cases, river discharge exceeded the carrying capacity of dams and barrages, and as a consequence, many structures were damaged. In the study area, this heavy flow has left no choice for the flood dealing authorities, but to breach the left bank marginal embankment at RD 32–38 near Kot Addu. Overtopping of the flood on breached section has disrupted the entire area and incurred heavy losses to standing crops, livestock, and physical infrastructure. As a consequence, it has put heavy burden on local community and the country’s economy. The analysis further indicated that the total estimated economic loss caused by this imposed inundation was about 2.54 million US$. Infrastructure was the leading sector with maximum estimated economic loss of l.65 million US$ followed by the agricultural sector. This study will bring the attention of disaster management authorities to devise flood-risk reduction plan and identify suitable locations to be breach in emergency situation. This will reduce risk of flood in downstream areas, physical damages, and economic losses.

Collective Redress: A Breakthrough or a Damp Sqibb ?

Abstract: In June 2013, the European Commission issued its long-awaited policy on collective redress. The proposal is in fact about collective actions and omits a holistic assessment of other options for redress. The proposal is a Recommendation not a proposed legislation. A related proposed Directive on competition damages does not mention collective actions. The proposed framework is not a model as too many aspects remain subject to national rules and contexts. Empirical evidence from collective actions in Member States suggests that this does not herald a new dawn for litigation or redress, although it may fuel more litigation in some Member States and thus forum shopping. In threatening to introduce legislation unless Member States introduce collective actions for all types of claim, the Commission opposes the majority of the Council and seems to have overplayed its hand.

The effects of limiting punitive damage awards

Abstract: In response to concerns that jury awards in tort cases are excessive and unpredictable, nearly every state legislature has enacted some version of tort reform that is intended to curb extravagant damage awards. One of the most important and controversial reforms involves capping (or limiting) the maximum punitive damage award. We conducted a jury analogue study to assess the impact of this reform. In particular, we examined the possibility that capping punitive awards would cause jurors to inflate their compensatory awards to satisfy their desires to punish the defendant, particularly in situations where the defendant's conduct was highly reprehensible. Relative to a condition in which punitive damages were unlimited, caps on punitive damages did not result in inflation of compensatory awards. However, jurors who had no option to award punitive damages assessed compensatory damages at a significantly higher level than did jurors who had the opportunity to do so. We discuss the policy implications of these findings.