Human Error and the Legal Process

Abstract

Human performance is intrinsic to the philosophies, policies and process by which society is governed. Thus society establishes performance requirements and effects punishment or other sanctions if such, standards are not met. This paper examines human error as delineated or otherwise encountered by human factors specialists and then in the context of our legal system. Human Factors and the Law meet in the courtroom, especially in accident litigation. A serious deficiency exists in the investigation of human error accidents which poses a continuing threat to both effective accident prevention and improved social justice.