dojN000836.xml

dojN000836.xml

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-12-23

Sunday, December 23, 2001 10:09 AM
Compensation comment

I gave no interest in this other than as a US citizen and taxpayer. My initial reaction to the awards were that they were extremely high at the high end, providing a risk-free capital and income beyond what most people could have expected had they lived. However, after reading all the carping from everyone who believes they are entitled to more, Mr. Feinberg's rules seem quite reasonable.

However--where does "pain and suffering" enter in? I'm not a lawyer, but my layman's understanding is that pain and suffering awards are intended to penalize a wrong-doer beyond the extent of purely financial damages incurred by a victim. The wrong-doer here is not the US government or its citizens. Charitable donations should be expressions of the nation's sympathy with the relatives' loss--not pain and suffering awards.

Individual Comment
Deephaven, Minnesota

2001-12-23