9/11 Family money
The payouts to family members of 9/11 victims popped up in conversation today, resurrecting a few questions that I've had for years.
Why were such large payouts made? According to the Toronto Star, the average was $1.8 million USD.
For that matter, why were any payouts from the federal government made at all? The victims of the Oklahoma City bombing, what was the largest terrorist attack on U.S. soil prior to 9/11, received nothing.
Why didn't the Oklahoma bombing families receive anything? How much money did the 9/11 families get? And what were the catches involved?
It appears the answer to all of the above is the government wanted to stop the families of the victims from litigating against those responsible, particularly the airlines. Since Timothy McVeigh drove instead of flew, no money for those left behind in Oklahoma City.
Again from the Toronto Star's article, dated December 23, 2003, "To receive the federal money, recipients must sign a waiver giving up their right to sue anyone involved in the worst terrorist attacks in U.S. history." And from USA Today, "The families are lining up for settlement checks that are averaging nearly $1.5 million, and are agreeing not to sue airlines, airports, security companies or other U.S. entities that might be faulted in the fatal hijackings." I'd very much like to see an a copy of the agreement to know exactly what entities were absolved from prosecution.
Why were such large payouts made? According to the Toronto Star, the average was $1.8 million USD.
For that matter, why were any payouts from the federal government made at all? The victims of the Oklahoma City bombing, what was the largest terrorist attack on U.S. soil prior to 9/11, received nothing.
Why didn't the Oklahoma bombing families receive anything? How much money did the 9/11 families get? And what were the catches involved?
It appears the answer to all of the above is the government wanted to stop the families of the victims from litigating against those responsible, particularly the airlines. Since Timothy McVeigh drove instead of flew, no money for those left behind in Oklahoma City.
Again from the Toronto Star's article, dated December 23, 2003, "To receive the federal money, recipients must sign a waiver giving up their right to sue anyone involved in the worst terrorist attacks in U.S. history." And from USA Today, "The families are lining up for settlement checks that are averaging nearly $1.5 million, and are agreeing not to sue airlines, airports, security companies or other U.S. entities that might be faulted in the fatal hijackings." I'd very much like to see an a copy of the agreement to know exactly what entities were absolved from prosecution.
posted by Christopher A. Dellario at 2:29 PM
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