The PREP Act and the Countermeasures Injury Compensation: Past, Present, and Future

Publication Title

DePaul Law Review

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Spring 2022

Abstract

The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, ushered in an era of legislative reform to bolster the United States' ability to prepare for and respond to public health emergencies, including pandemics and acts of *690 bioterrorism. As part of its post-9/11 response, Congress enacted broad liability protections for, among others, manufacturers of medical countermeasures, along with a corresponding no-fault compensation program for individuals injured by such countermeasures. During public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic, these liability protections play a critical role in encouraging the development and use of medical countermeasures. The no-fault compensation program, however, leaves much to be desired by individuals harmed by countermeasures. The COVID-19 pandemic provides an opportune time to take a fresh look at the compensation program and to consider needed reforms. After describing the liability protections and the corresponding compensation program, this Article unpacks the compensation program's deficiencies and proposes reforms that recognize that liability protections must go hand-in-hand with a robust no-fault injury compensation program.

Comments

External Links

Westlaw

Recommended Citation

Allison M. Whelan, The PREP Act and the Countermeasures Injury Compensation Program: Past, Present, and Future, 71 DePaul L. Rev. 689 (2022).

Volume

71

First Page

690

Last Page

729

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