Colgan Crash That Killed 50 Spurs Quest for Damages That Punish

[DieselDragRacer]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=aBKANcVDBFUw&pos=10

“It is my goal that Colgan gets put out of business from everybody’s lawsuits,” said Tolsma, 44, whose husband, an engineer, worked at Northrop Grumman Corp. on classified military projects with West, deputy director of business development. “That would send a message to all regional airlines that you’d better step up to the plate and put human lives ahead of the almighty dollar.”



Whether Tolsma gets her wish may depend on the success of plaintiffs’ lawyers seeking punitive damages to punish Colgan for its conduct and deter others. The lawyers need to persuade a judge in Buffalo to allow jurors to consider such damages.



Punitive damages can be far higher than those to compensate loss. When the threat of punitive damages is likely, airlines and insurers often settle for more money than they otherwise might, said Douglas Latto of Baumeister & Samuels. His New York law firm represents four families not including Tolsma and West.

“If you run a company where your values are how can we pay our people the least, get by with the fewest number of pilots, and provide them the least training, it’s no surprise when ill- trained, sick, fatigued people are in the cockpit and kill the passengers,” Kreindler said.

 

[Fubijaakr]

But, you Teabaggers want tort reform so no corporation can get sued, don't you?

 

[Data]

But, you Teabaggers want tort reform so no corporation can get sued, don't you?

Wow, did you come up with that one all by yourself?

 

[Tarzan]

But, you Teabaggers want tort reform so no corporation can get sued, don't you?

Why all the hate? For a group that claims all sorts of inclusiveness, I never see much of it here.

Captain Obvious, this one appears fairly clear cut. I'd run right to the bank with this one. The actions in the case constituted gross malfeasance. Colgan should have never had that guy in the left seat. However, simply adding a reform that makes the loser pay civil court costs would deter many frivolous law suits. However, I don't think it would have slowed this down even one second.

 

[Abernathy]

But, you Teabaggers want tort reform so no corporation can get sued, don't you?

lmao


.

 

[701EV]

But, you Teabaggers want tort reform so no corporation can get sued, don't you?

Grow up junior!

 

[CX880]

A high school student with mock trial experience should be able to get 100 millon out of Colgan. All they have to do is show that PBS special on Colgan. It's as clear cut as they come when it comes to negligence in training, all they have to do is convince a jury and plus no one would miss Colgan anyways if they were forced to liquidate. Good luck to Colgan.

 

[jonjuan]

A high school student with mock trial experience should be able to get 100 millon out of Colgan. All they have to do is show that PBS special on Colgan. It's as clear cut as they come when it comes to negligence in training, all they have to do is convince a jury and plus no one would miss Colgan anyways if they were forced to liquidate. Good luck to Colgan.

And then all the Q400s and associated flying would get moved to commutair. Problem solved.

 

[Raoul Duke]

there is zero chance that a court will allow punitive damages against the Company.

 

[CX880]

there is zero chance that a court will allow punitive damages against the Company.

Why not? They caused the crash by not hiring properly and not training properly.