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The Constitutional Dimension Of A National Products Liability Statute Of Repose, Stephen J. Werber

Law Faculty Articles and Essays

Constitutional issues arise in regard to many aspects of tort and products liability reform legislation. This article argues that statutes of repose are unconstitutional, with emphasis on open courts or right to remedy (open courts) and equal protection provisions. These issues reflect economic concerns at both federal and state legislative levels that seek to advance strongly perceived public policy. These concerns, in turn, affect substantial substantive rights. Freedom from personal injury, the right to life and safety, reflects more than the mere economic concerns of either the injured party or the product manufacturer. The ability to seek redress for such …