Secret Settlements

Paper Summary:

The paper examines how knowledge about public hazard is kept secret from the public through the use of secrecy agreements in the courts and how companies often know about deadly defects in their products, yet, they keep the information out of the public eye through secret settlements. This essay analyzes the concept of the secret settlement policy, where companies calculate what is called a cost-benefit-ratio. If the company believes it will be less expensive to settle a claim against it than to recall a product or clean up a hazardous area then the company decides to settle. It discusses the legal aspects of these settlements as well as there pros and cons though literature review and outlines the current laws.

From the Paper:

"There have been many pros and cons suggested as to why the legislature should or should not adopt these new secrecy bills (caoc.com). Opponents of this legislation state that there is no evidence that the current practice creates any significant problems in concealing information about dangerous products or conditions (caoc.com). Many feel that the new legislation is a threat to high tech firms because the new legislature forces companies to divulge trade secrets (caoc.com). They fear companies will no longer be able to protect trade secrets (caoc.com). However proponents for the new legislature argue that it is designed to restrict secret settlements, not to divulge trade secrets (caoc.com)."

More papers on Secret Settlements:

• Essay # 143760 : "Logical Critique Of The Secret (2006)"
• Analytical Essay # 120838 : "Daydreams in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty"
• Analytical Essay # 4373 : "Possessing the Secret of Joy"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: