BP victims face compensation concerns (due to tort reform)

[Rose Siding]

It's possible the BP explosion victims or their families could be entitled to a maximum of about $28,000 a year from workers' compensation and Texas City State Rep. Craig Eiland thinks that's a second tragedy.

"There's just no doubt about it. The law is more restrictive, their rights are more limited and the victims' recovery will be more limited," said the Democrat, a plaintiffs attorney himself.

Eiland's concern reflects the significantly less friendly legal landscape that confronts the victims of last month's BP explosion, compared with those injured by the 1989 explosion at the Pasadena Phillips Petroleum plant or the blast in 1990 at the Channelview Arco Chemical Co. plant.

Millions were paid out in confidential settlements in those explosions 15 years ago.

But tort reform passed by the legislature since then — and like-minded decisions by Texas appellate courts — have nipped and tucked so much over the years that the suing worker in 2005 faces lower expected settlements and awards and a tougher time getting to them.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3120169

[sasquatch]

1. Suck it up red staters, life is like eating at a Chinese resteraunt

You order shit, you eat shit.

[fortyfeetunder]

7. Well, that ought to teach them about consequences

Not.
I think they will blame the liberal media...

[NVMojo]

2. ...And please be aware of how tight this company is with Bush admin...

they are ones who want to drill in ANWR, Alaska!!!!! They may already have the contracts for exploratiom.

[jdj]

3. BP pulled out of the lobbying group for ANWR drilling several years ago.

doesn't really make much sense, and they never gave a reason, but I think it is global warming.

[johncoby2]

4. Don't feel sorry for these families.

They wanted tort reform. They knew the risk. They wanted this tort reform.

[reprobate]

5. You have to wonder how many more will have to die for corporate greed?

When will America say enough is enough and life is more important than money?

I cry in shame for my country.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

6. .

ditto. I refuse to change my aviatar until she can hold her head up proudly again.

[struggle4progress]

8. "Backs broke bending digging holes to plant the seeds ...

The owners ate the cane and the workers ate the weeds
Put the wood in the stove, the water in the cup
You worked so hard that you died standing up."
-- Kate McGarrigle