More trouble for the Duck Boat.

[/pine]

The criminal charges are serious but they are not nearly as devastating as all the civil action will be...and it won't just be the captain etc...anyone with any ownership will be liable...They don't write umbrella policies big enough to cover the awards any jury is likely to find in this case...

 

[k0ua]

The criminal charges are serious but they are not nearly as devastating as all the civil action will be...and it won't just be the captain etc...anyone with any ownership will be liable...They don't write umbrella policies big enough to cover the awards any jury is likely to find in this case...

Yep, the "duck boat" is well... sunk.

 

[Industrial Toys]

And nothing of the passengers having to assume some risk in an adventure like that?

 

[kcflhrc]

I have ridden them several times in Branson when our kids were young and never gave the safety of these things a second thought. It was some bad decisions made that day to put that craft on the water.

 

[Diggin It]

And once again, the lawyers will make benefit more than the victims' families.

 

[Industrial Toys]

EXACTLY!

I just think the passengers have to assume some of the risk. If I go out on the roads or get on an airplane, I can't expect everything to be safe and someone else to blame totally when things go wrong. People that expect that should stay at home, bubble wrapped.

 

[/pine]

EXACTLY!

I just think the passengers have to assume some of the risk. If I go out on the roads or get on an airplane, I can't expect everything to be safe and someone else to blame totally when things go wrong. People that expect that should stay at home, bubble wrapped.

That theory may hold water in some instances but in this case the passengers had every right to be forewarned of possible extreme conditions...They had the right to expect the captain and crew to perform their duties with prudence...These people were not riding a chartered barrel over Niagara Falls...

As for the slime balls (lawyers) getting a lions share is a pet peeve of mine...Tort reform is not the answer to the problem...the same problem that is partially responsible for the high cost of health care and and things like liability insurance...

If lawyers were limited to cost plus only (say 10%-15%, a fair profit margin) fees for civil actions and not allowed to charge a % on a contingency basis (often up to 40% above costs)...If injured patients sue for malpractice and actually get 90% of awards the initial awards would not need to be so significant...i.e., give the money to the injured party and stop the lawyers from getting rich off what the public ends up paying for insurance either directly or through footing the bill for the high cost of malpractice/liability ins.

 

[Industrial Toys]

Sure. Go ride in something that is a poor compromise both on land and water. It was meant to be used in dire military circumstances. Not to go joy riding.

I just think the Victim card is overused.

 

[/pine]

Sure. Go ride in something that is a poor compromise both on land and water. It was meant to be used in dire military circumstances. Not to go joy riding.

I just think the Victim card is overused.

It really boils down to damages...who was actually injured, to what extent and by who's fault?

 

[Industrial Toys]

It just bugs the **** out of me. Criminals that intentionally hurt or kill others are too often let off too easy.

But God help you if you are negligent and hurt or kill someone!