Nanotechnology

19 Nanotechnology and Civil Liability

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Alan Hannah and Geoffrey Hunt

Introduction

As nanotechnology enterprises grow issues of civil liability will become increasingly relevant (see Chapter 21 for corporate criminal liability). When problems arise the client generally has to see the ‘contentious lawyer’, ideally instructed by the insurance company who has provided the contingency coverage. But not infrequently, in more complex or expensive matters, the poor client contests a claim from the injured party, and at the same time has to litigate with the reluctant insurance company, who having taken the premium for the coverage, seeks to avoid it. All this is good news for the lawyers, unless they are also sued if they have been negligent ...