Posted On: January 18, 2008, 4:08 pm CST

Posted By: Bob

Stu
I see your point but I don't think negligence has been or will ever be clearly established. The government may be found to be ultimately liable for damages but the article I viewed on TV just last night (it was on TV so it must be true) was that it was a design flaw that would not have been easily detected by bridge inspectors. I'm not sure I see any gross negligence - And to rush in with the checkbook may not reduce the amount of claims paid. Some may want just thier collision deductible paid while others, no matter how much is paid to them early on, will want their retirements well funded. 911 was a terrible tragedy and then it was compounded with fraud, greed and government incompetence - was the government at fault? The company I worked for at that time raised $70,000 in three days for the victims of 911, which I'm sure was just a fraction of the total raised around the country. But that's how we respond with compassion. If the government is responsible I have no problem with responding with "fair" compensation but I have a real problem with just writing checks with my money to try to defuse the situation - and people will never view the government as compassionate, no matter when the money arrives.