[FoxInSocks]

State Rep. Ryan Winkler . . . has suggested a novel solution: a special victim-compensation fund like the much larger one that Congress created after 9/11.

The wave of the future, apparently. There's been talk in Virginia of using taxpayer funds to compensate families and victims of the shootings at Virginia Tech.

[elpadre]

I believe these “victims compensation funds” are a travesty and must come to a halt. The 9/11 victims families are ALL millionaires today because of the death of someone else. Widows and children should certainly be taken care of, but these draconian payments are obscene.

ditto Virginia Tech and the I-35 disasters.

[TWohlford]

“The wave of the future, apparently. There’s been talk in Virginia of using taxpayer funds to compensate families and victims of the shootings at Virginia Tech.”

Sadly, that defeats the only legit purpose of liability actions.

Lawsuits make it more expensive to “save money” by taking safety shortcuts. Otherwise, your hospital might not buy the proper machines, or staff w/ the proper number of nurses, etc. You car maker might opt for less crash testing, or your airlines might find it more profitable to extend the time between wing inspections.

Lawsuits take any possible costs savings out of such half-a&&ed measures. It is the free market’s replacement for government regulations. It isn’t perfect, but it certainly does stop many companies from saving money at the expense of your safety.

[GladesGuru]

“The wave of the future, apparently. There’s been talk in Virginia of using taxpayer funds to compensate families and victims of the shootings at Virginia Tech.”

Odd, why have we forgotten Rep. Davy Crockett’s discussion with Horatio Bunce?

Congress can’t do charity. One upon a time, all citizens knew that.