N001879
Wednesday, January 16, 2002 10:50 AM
Public Law 107-42 COMMENTS
Dear Mr. Feinberg:
As the widow of World Trade Center Victim , I would like to
make my objections to the Airline Bailout Bill's Victim Compensation fund
very clear. Because of the misrepresentations and media spin, both the
purpose of the fund and its potential payout has been incorrectly stated in
just about every source.
The Airline Bailout Bill was not passed by Congress to provide for the
families of the victims. It was created primarily to protect the airlines
from litigation. The provision of the bill that includes the fund was
included as an incentive for families to accept a settlement and not sue
the airlines. Any award that is given to a family is money that the
Airline would have had to pay. This is another gift to the Airlines.
Nobody would benefit from bankrupt airlines, but to give all this support
to the airlines at the expense of the victims' families would be
inappropriate and unjust. In short, this money is from the government on
behalf of the Airlines. Many have represented the fund as an act of
charity to the families. The program should provide the incentive for
which it was created. Congress had the right intention; the current
formula ignores this intention.
Further, these "awards" will not actually be the amount that is paid to the
families. If the deceased victim made any sort of plans for his or her
family, they will not receive much at all from this fund. If someone paid
life insurance premiums for his entire life, He is essentially being
penalized for planning. If, instead, someone decided to invest this money
rather than buy life insurance, the investment will not be subtracted from
any settlement award. The fund discriminates on the basis of their
investment choices.
If life insurance and pension benefits were not counted against the
settlement, then the fund may actually provide an incentive to avoid the
courtroom. The rules should be changed and changed quickly. Right now,
those less fortunate may be forced into signing because of financial need.
Protecting the transportation system is necessary, but not at the expense
of the families of the victims. If this tragedy had involved three people
instead of 300, then each family would be looking at large settlements from
the airlines' insurance companies. Just because this event was of such a
large scope, the loss of a loved one is not any easier.
If the rules are not changed, then many people will be encouraged to take
this matter to court. If you are trying to avoid lengthy court battles,
then make the settlement more equitable.
Sincerely,
Individual Comment
(widow of victim )
Lynbrook, NY