Citation

Lavell A. Int. J. Mass Emerg. Disasters 1994; 12(1): 95-115.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1994, International Sociological Association, International Research Committee on Disasters)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In December 1986, the Costa Rican Social Security System formally initiated a seismic retrofit program for several of its principal hospitals as well as its administrative headquarters. Between 1983 and 1991, it also implemented a number of major changes in the seismic insurance coverage afforded its installations. Based on full access to internal documents and thirty-four in-depth interviews with key actors, the author examines the role of "focusing" disaster events and the financial, technical, professional, and ethical considerations behind these major innovations in earthquake protection policy.