"When Nature Strikes illuminates surprising connections between far-flung legal doctrines involving meteorological events. Hurricane Katrina was just the most vivid illustration of the power of weather to disrupt human affairs, often with important legal repercussions. The book should be of interest not only to lawyers but to general readers." -- Daniel Farber, Sho Sato Professor of Law, University of California, Berkeley, author of Disasters and the Law: Katrina and Beyond "Who knew that weather and law intersected in so many ways, some of them quite strange and unpredictable? Marsha Baum has done a fine service here for anyone who deals with weather professionally or needs to know more about its consequences--not only lawyers and meteorologists, but weather historians, disaster fiends, and enthusiasts who just can't get enough weather lore. I was especially interested in her careful treatment of the ever-vexing question of whether the forecaster is liable when someone dies as a result of a blown forecast." -- David Laskin, author of The Children's Blizzard "Both the weather and the law affect us every day. When Nature Strikes ties the two together across the civil and criminal law arenas through numerous well documented case examples. Marsha Baum's timely work does a wonderful job of encapsulating the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Katrina from the flooded parishes of New Orleans to the still ongoing legal struggles over responsibility and culpability. This is a necessary resource for anyone who shares a fascination in meteorology and the law." -- Jan Null, Certified Consulting Meteorologist "After writing over a thousand newspaper columns on the weather, predicting the weather on TV for more than 30 years, and testifying as an expert witness in court from slip and fall cases to murder trials, I am convinced that there isn't a single aspect of our lives unaffected by the weather. This book clearly shows the weather connection to so much that happens around us. In the post-Katrina era, we have seen how crime and fraud blossom during times of tragedy. It is all here--even some history of technology with a look at patent law. The role of the government is clearly described. And now with global warming being a serious question--who is responsible? This is an interesting book not only for practicing attorneys and law students, but also for everyone who might be looking for that weather connection--and especially helpful to those who ever considered filing a weather-related lawsuit." -- Dr Mel Goldstein, Chief Meteorologist WTNH-TV ABC Affiliate New Haven, Conn., author of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Weather
Marsha L. Baum is Professor of Law at the University of New Mexico Law School in Albuquerque, where she is former Associate Dean for Library Affairs and former Director of the Law Library.
Baum takes a novel approach to the topic of weather by analyzing
its frequent intersections with the law. Weather affects countless
court cases, legislation, and administrative law. Three particular
areas of legal concern are addressed: the history and role of the
US government in forecasting and issuing warnings; scientific
attempts at weather control, including patents law; and liability
and criminal culpability for weather-related harm. Particularly
useful is a glossary of weather terms, a table of weather-related
cases, and a list of federal statutes and proposed legislation.
Baum explores varying questions, such as the liability of
forecasters for inaccurate weather reports and the legal debate
over blame for the catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
She contends the legal system often addresses weather-related
issues the same way, even though substantial evidence indicates
these approaches fail. Baum argues that the government needs to
develop better strategies to cope with disasters, mitigating the
harm that these events cause. This is a much-needed work,
considering the growing impact of weather-related disasters.
Extensive notes; selected bibliography. Highly recommended. General
readers; academic audiences, upper-division undergraduate and up;
professionals.
*Choice*
Baum examines a topic that is without any other treatment….[t]he
book will be useful to scholars and instructors in the general
areas of law and disasters and may also be useful for instructors
looking for supplementary readings on civil liability and sovereign
immunity that have a weather or disaster dimension.
*Law & Politics Book Review*
Baum notes that legal issues in the future will encompass global
warming law, weaponization of the weather, and medical malpractice
lawsuits for failure to consider weather-sensitivity disorders.
This fascinating look at the social consequences of severe weather
is accompanied by a glossary of terms from acid rain to winter
weather advisories.
*College & Research Libraries News*
Baum (U. of New Mexico Law School, Albuquerque) presents the first
book to explore various areas in which law and weather meet and
affect each other. The text addresses law related to weather in the
U.S. in the context of specific cases, legislation, and
administrative legal action, through a sampling of cases and a
select few weather events representing the 200 years of U.S.
history. Baum focuses on three main areas: the history and role of
the government in weather reporting, forecasting, and warning
systems; human attempts to affect the weather and governmental
regulation of those efforts; and liability for harm resulting from
weather-related incidents that affect individuals. For
meteorologists, weather historians, attorneys, and interested
general readers.
*Reference & Research Book News*
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