I completely disagee with this article. The government was negligent and its negligence caused the harm to the victims, therefore, under standard tort law it is liable for any harm that the victims suffered as a result. The only wrinkle is that governments often times exempt themselves from being sued in the same way that you or I could be sued. So, the victims are pushing to have the government change the laws so that they can get the same compensation that they could get if the bridge was privately owned.
One more critique of this article. It is not correct to compare what happened here to a hurricane or other natural disaster - those are acts of God which cannot be prevented. Whearas what happened here here was a simple act of negligence that could easily have been prevented. The government failed to properly maintain a bridge - instead it wasted its taxes on other frivolous projects - it then continued to allow people to use this bridge without providing any warning that the bridge was unsafe. So, when the bridge finally fell and people were injured the government is clearly responsible for their injuries.
Put the politicians in jail then...don't give away other peoples money.
The government is ALWAYS negligent; that's it's nature.
How about the bridge inspector himself? How about the planner who okayed the roadwork and knew of the danger?
We NEVER hold INDIVIDUALS responsible, because their pockets aren't deep enough...follow the money and that is ALWAYS the bottom line.
The TAXPAYERS will be fleeced, not the negligent individuals that made the negligent decisions.
Lawyers should be limited to individual defendants, NOT wholesale assault on the "Government" (i.e., the TAXPAYERS).
For all the high blood pressure, stress, and inconvienience of the tax burden, your argument goes to NEGLIGENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT in not seeing how TAXES are causing un-told numbers of deaths, health issues, etc. due to the BURDEN their negligent taxing is causing Americans.
Is there no end to the fleecing?
If you hit your thumb with a hammer, is it YOUR fault, or is it the Governments fault for lack of regulation?
Gimme a break.