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Post by deb on Jun 17, 2010 19:48:04 GMT -5
I've been a little tied up lately, but I did hear that BP is putting up $20 billion for damages in the gulf.
I've always been under the impression that if a person or company did something that caused harm, the harmed party would file a civil case and an agreement would be reached between the two parties or the case would go to trial. If there are multiple parties harmed, then a class action suit would be filed.
I also read that one congressman referred to the $20 billion as a shakedown.
If I were a person damaged by the spill, I'm not sure that I would want the federal government determining what my damages were.
Is there some authority under which the government can do this? Does this preclude individuals from seeking damages from BP? Is BP entitled to a court ruling or jury verdict, or is a "demand" from the U.S. government an acceptable form of justice?
I'd be interested in what you all think.
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