N002512
Thursday, January 17, 2002 12:48 PM
To:
Attachment 1:
To:
From:
Subject: Procedural Rules
Dear Mr. Feinberg:
Thank you so much for undertaking this project on behalf of all the survivors, as I understand this is pro bono. I sincerely hope that the gratitude of all those you will have helped will be enough when you consider all that you have gone through. It is an immense project.
My name is and I lost my son-in-law, , in the WTC attack on 9-11-01.
I have mixed emotions as to whether the government should be involved in making payments to survivors of this tragedy. It isn’t hard to place blame on the airlines and government if your tendency is to sue, but that isn’t my nature. Fortunately, it has become a moot point as congress has passed the law and now it must be implemented.
First, let me start by telling you a little about and his family as I feel it will “paint a picture” to why I do not think your present “rules” on Collateral Sources are fair, reasonable or just.
was the 7th of 10 children.
He won an Athletic Scholarship to college and through working and Student Loans paid for 100% of his education.
He met my daughter, , at in 1992.
One week after their 1st date, they both told their parents they had met the person they were going to marry.
They survived the 1993 bombing of the WTC. told us she didn’t think she would have made it down the 105 floors in the dark and soot without .
They married in June 1995.
They bought a house in May of 1996 based on his income only. They had both saved money for their down payment.
Their 1st child (daughter, ) was born .
They bought Life Insurance policies on each other to make sure the family would survive in the event of a tragedy. stopped working in June 1998 to become a stay-at-home mother. She was a broker making in excess of $100,00 annually.
Their 2nd child (son, ) was born .
Their 3rd child is due .
They lived within their means! All his Student Loans have been paid. Credit cards are paid in full each month. The only debt they have is the home mortgage and car payment (2-3 year old minivan). If they couldn’t pay for something….they didn’t need it!
He was a great father (great with all kids) and a wonderful husband.
He was
the son I never had and I loved him dearly.
His income was approximately $150,000 annually from salary and bonus. He
was 35 years old.
It would appear from reading the offsets under Collateral Sources that the Social Security, Workmen’s Compensation and Life Insurance would be deducted from the VCF payments. If this is the case, I do not believe family would receive any payment.
Social Security is paid for 100% by the employee and the employer (no government funds). A self-employed individual would pay 100% (15.3%). How do you justify offsetting this payment when the government contributed nothing?
Workmen’s Compensation is paid for entirely by the employer and is a State program. How do you justify offsetting this payment when the government contributed nothing?
Individual Life Insurance (not company or group) is paid 100% by the individual and is paid with after tax dollars. How do you justify offsetting this payment when the government contributed nothing?
In addition, I don’t know how you would deduct the Social Security & Workmen’s Compensation benefit. The Social Security stops for the spouse upon remarriage and when the children reach 16. It stops for the children when reach 18 or no longer a student. The Workmen’s Compensation can be recovered in total by New York and varies by state.
Those who chose not to provide for their families through Life Insurance and some high-income people will benefit. The lower/medium income people who cared enough to purchase Life Insurance are the families to be penalized.
Many of the Charities received negative press concerning their distribution of funds. Victims were issued money gifts based on their expenses. Those who chose a higher standard of living and/or chose high debt levels were rewarded with greater payments. The responsible individuals who lived within their means and did not create excess debt were penalized. The VCF proposes to do the same thing!
The people of this country have been overwhelming in their generosity, thoughtfulness and kindness. I could write pages about the card, letters, gifts, etc which my daughter has received. The Life Insurance Industry has paid claims in a matter of days with no death certificate. The Social Security Administration and the Workmen’s Compensation Board has processed and paid in less than 2 weeks without death certificates. Do we have a wonderful country or what?
The American people, through the Congress, have seen fit to provide the surviving families with economic and non-economic benefits. I do not believe their intent was to penalize those individuals who were responsible enough to provide for their families. They sacrificed the current for the future…they took care of themselves…they did it the American Way! Are you going to reward the individuals who chose not to buy Life Insurance and penalize those with far less income who did?
Please revise/interpret the rules with regard to Collateral Sources and not penalize those who cared enough to provide for their families. They sacrificed now while others just spent!
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
West Chester, Ohio