How Liable Should a Lender Be? The Case of Judgment-Proof Firms and Environmental Risk.

Abstract

Recently, U.S. environmental law has shown a tendency toward increased lender liability. A model of a potentially judgment-proof owner of a firm, a lender, and a potential victim is developed in which this policy can increase accident frequency and reduce efficiency. Full, partial, and zero lender-liability rules and a minimum equity requirement are analyzed. Partial lender liability and an equivalent minimum equity requirement deliver the highest level of efficiency, although the former can deliver a higher contribution by the lender to the victim than the latter. Policy and empirical implications are also discussed. Copyright 1995 by American Economic Association.