Minnesota lawmakers in St. Paul have announced a tentative settlement deal with the victims of the collapse of the Minneapolis bridge collapse that killed 13 people. The deal would cost $38 million with each victim receiving $400,000. What is most striking is the fact that the state of Virginia has used its highly restrictive laws to force victims of Virginia Tech to receive a maximum of $100,000. Both states were accused of negligence. Thus, it would appear that it is simply a bargain to kill Virginians rather than Minnesotans.
What is most striking is the response of legislators in Minnesota. Since the state had a $1 million-per-incident liability cap, they proposed an amendment to waive the liability cap. The legislators, however, wanted to spare the victims of having to litigate to get such compensation.
For a prior entry on the response of Virginia, click here. While some legislators have suggested lifting the ridiculously low caps on liability, it did not help the victims who were pressured into low settlements. Click here.
For the full article, click here.
JT:
“What is most striking is the response of legislators in Minnesota. Since the state had a $1 million-per-incident liability cap, they proposed an amendment to waive the liability cap. The legislators, however, wanted to spare the victims of having to litigate to get such compensation.”
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To get the full contrast, see Delegate Tom Albro’s comment on paying the Tech victims. (Tom is a plaintiff’s lawyer by the way). Prepare to be awed:
“Bad things happen to people every day, and if the taxpayers have to cover every bad thing that happens, there will not be a tax rate big enough to support it all.”
That is the mentality of your typical Virginian when discussing compensating victims. How much does it cost, and “come on now, bad things* happen all the time.” Welcome to sunny Virginia where we are very tolerant of someone else’s pain!
* as if the Tech massacre was like a fender bender on Broad Street in Richmond.
Mespo:
Incredible quote.
JT:
Incredible, yes, but around these parts, not particularly unique. One has to wonder how this same ground produced Madison, Jefferson, Henry, and all the rest dedicated to individual rights–and not just political rights either, mind you. My, how the mighty have fallen.
By the way, the little ditty about tolerating other people’s pain did not originate in my brain, but is almost a verbatim quote from a Judge in the Fairfax Circuit Court. Like me, he is also amazed.