Compensation for Research-Related Injuries Involving Human Participants

Abstract

Compensation for research-related injuries involving human participants has emerged as an indeterminate area in the bioethics arena. Although present guidelines require that institutions provide adequate assurances regarding compensation for research-related injuries, the specifics of what the assurances should consist of are unclear. For instance, important factors including which injuries are covered and who is responsible for payment are determined on an institutional basis. Further, there is no predetermined consensual language that qualifies as sufficient. Accordingly, institutions are left with little guidance in formulating their individual compensation policies. And, as one might imagine, various types of policies have emerged. Utilizing an empirical approach, this paper highlights recent developments in the realm of compensation for research-related injuries, identifies and analyzes current applications of compensation policies and recommends appropriate language for varying degrees of compensation.

Keywords: human subjects research, research related injuries, bioethics, compensation policies