Guiding Patrons to Online Health Information: Can Librarians be Found Liable?

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2008

Keywords

Computer Law, Internet Law, health information, information intermediaries, information seekers

Abstract

The amount of health information available on the Internet is growing rapidly and information intermediaries are increasingly being asked to help information seekers find and make sense of this information. This activity is for the most part benign from a legal perspective. However, there is a small possibility that, should the intermediary steer an information seeker to information that proves harmful to the seeker, the intermediary may be found liable for injuries incurred. In this paper, we examine the theoretical underpinnings of the relevant laws, clarify the risks, and recommend ways to minimize risk.

Comments

From Selected Works of Elaine Gibson

Publication Abbreviation

CJILS

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