dojN002007.xml

dojN002007.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2002-01-18

Friday, January 18, 2002 5:08 PM
September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001

Attn: Special Master

Dear Mr. Feinberg:

I am the widow of , killed at the World Trade Center. I am writing to you to register my objection to the conditions attached to the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 fund. My husband was always a hero to us, not because he was a fireman, but because he always thought of everyone else.

This bill was passed to help compensate the families of the victims of September 11th for the loss of their loved ones and for their pain and suffering. The conditions attached to this fund allow the families very little choice. The stipulations I feel that should be reconsidered are as follows:

A) The Collateral source clause - reducing the compensation allowed by deducting the pension, life insurance, and other collateral source leave very little, if any compensation at all. My husband choose to risk his life every day at his job even though he could have commanded a much higher salary in the business sector. He did so because of the benefits, to which he contributed, and the promise that his family would be taken care of. I think it is unfair to take into consideration deducting the safety and security he chose and provided for his family. Otherwise, you are dismissing the sacrifice he made as not being worthy enough to deserve compensation.

B) Exclusion of Parents and Domestic Partners - this is totally unfair and unjust. The victims supported many of the parents and partners. Who will be there to take care of them now? What of those parents and partners who had financial obligations linked to the victim, are they supposed to suffer catastrophic losses now? Haven't they suffered enough? Do parents and partners endure less grief or suffer any less when they lose a loved one? Who will compensate them for that?

C) Schedule of Payment Formula - this Schedule of Payment was established without an economist; using a formula dating back to 1979. This does not seem to take into consideration the cost of living of today or the economy. I strongly urge that an economist draw up a new fair formula and schedule taking these factors into consideration.

I hope that my views will be considered and that this law will be revisited and revised. It does not favor the victims and their families but rather strives to save the airline industry. Who has suffered more?

Sincerely,

Individual Comment

2002-01-18