N001604
Monday, January 14, 2002 11:20 PM
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001
SENT: January 14, 2002 20:44
SUBJECT: Concerns over victim compensation fund
Dear Mr. Kenneth Feinberg,
I am writing to you to express my concerns over the "Victim Compensation
Fund".
Based on the current format of the distribution of the funds to the
survivors, they will be recieving minimal or no compensation from the federal
government.
It appears that the guidelines of the fund takes whatever possible measures
to reduce the amount of compensation awarded to the victims' families. The
fund designed to compensate the familes of the victims, fails to take an
adequate account for non-economical losses. Many families of victims award's
are offset by the collateral source reduction. If the total amount of
collateral that victims recieve is greater than the toal award of the
economic losses than the award for non-economic loss, which is understood to
be 250,000 is deducted. This is where my great concern arises. I strongly
urge you to increase the non-economic damages to 1 million for all families.
This fund was designed to compensate families for economic losses as well as
non-economic losses such as pain and suffering, money under the current
format families will not see. Many families are not being compensated for
pain and suffering and would rather turn to the courts to get a fair
compensation for non-economic losses, such as the loss of the enjoyment of
life.
If the Bill pays awards next to nothing for the families, it is basically
leaving them with no other choice, than to pursue in a long drawn out case
against the Airlines to adequately compensate for pain and suffering. This
would do exactly what the Bill was designed to prevent. If there was an
increase in the award for non-economical losses to adequately compensate fro
pain and suffering it would probably please many families and save them a
long process of litigation in the courts.
Additionally, I believe that it is only fair and equitable that families have
the right to be fully informed of their compensation prior to officially
waving their right to litigate.
Anything else is simply unjust and beneficial to the Airlines and the Federal
Government.
I hope you can realize that the problems of the Bill that limits many
families of their proper award and be able to make ammendments that benefit
the victims as opposed to the airlines. Any help would be truly appreciated.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
Town of Cromwell, CT