Don't expect any quick resolution to Big Dig lawsuits
By adamg - Sat, 07/15/2006 - 9:40pm.
Eric Parker, a product-liability lawyer, says litigation will go on for years:
... The bolt makers will blame the grout makers. The grout makers will blame the engineers. The engineers will blame the Commonwealth, and the Commonwealth will hide behind one of the most disgusting laws still on the books - The Massachusetts Tort Claims Act - a law that limits the recovery that the Del Valle family can receive on account of the death of Milena De Valle to no more than one hundred thousand dollars. ...
Editor's Question: Didn't Del Valle's husband already say he didn't plan to sue?
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Dig Law Suits
Sure, Mr. Del Valle, who is probably still in shock, said he wasn't going to sue, but Mrs. Del Valle has children, two of whom she helped support by sending money home to Costa Rica. I am not a lawyer, but I do know what is right. The Commonwealth owes Del Valle's children a substantial monatery sum. Even if only the contractors are found to be at fault, let the Commonwealth pay and then fight in court to recover funds from the responsible parties. The government is ultimatley responsible anyway; if the tunnel was (is) unsafe, no one should be allowed to drive through.
I think the gov't (Romney
I think the gov't (Romney and his cronies, that is) should pay the family without a fight in court, without Mr. Del Valle having to go through the anguishing process of suing. I agree ... he is probably just in shock right now and trying to do the "right thing". However, the "right thing" is to make sure his step children (and did I read before grandchildren?) can live in some sort of comfort after the tragic death of their mother.
Also, although it won't happen, I know, it would be nice if the T stepped up their service (they said they have, but I haven't seen it) and maybe given drivers who now have to use the T a break on the prices.