N001183
Saturday, December 29, 2001 10:08 AM
Compensation Formula
I am writing this in response to ?A Fair Amount? which appeared in the
Daily News Editorial page on Dec 28.
I was frankly appalled by the tone taken in this editorial. While you
cannot put a price on human life, that is, in fact, what Kenneth
Feinberg has attempted to do with his formulas based on age, number of
dependants and salary. Each victim was unique and had value and was
irreplaceable. You say that the average amount will be $1.6 million
dollars per family. Half of the families will receive considerably
less, and half more. The author then says ?And people who think they
they can get a better deal in court have the right to sue.? People,
people! You are talking about bereaved families. Families who lost
loved ones in the worst attack in history on American soil. These
victims were martyrs and many were unsung heroes staying behind to help
co-worker?s and losing their lives in the process. The airlines? bail
out would not have been necessary if the government forced them to
implement security measure that were consistent and appropriate to
protect the safety of the American people. Why should families that
have already endured unimaginable pain and suffering be forced to sue
for compensation that should be rightfully given? The fair thing to do
would be to do away with the formulas and award each victim?s family the
same amount -- $2 million dollars would be fair and equitable. Again
this article minimizes the pain of the victims? families. But given the
fact that the Daily News, alone of the area papers, did not feel it
necessary to cover any civilian victims? lives, this is not surprising.
This article is callous and insulting to the memory of my 22-year-old
son and to all the others that gave up their lives that day for their
country in a war in which they were unknowing conscripts.
Individual Comment
Brooklyn, NY