Moral Question: A pricetag on a dead life?

[Cornerback6]

If one of your loved ones died a wrongful death at the hands of someone else, would you sue for millions of dollars or just enough to cover the court/funeral/missed work costs? I asked one of my classes this question (spurred by the radio station/water incident) curious to see what they'd say and they were split down the middle.

Do you think suing for an abundance of money in this scenario is basically saying that so and so's life was worth X amount of dollars? In my opinion it would be an act of greed and disrespect to the person who passed. There is no dollar sign on a mother, spouse, child or brother IMO.

What do you guys think? This stuff happens all the time. Maybe we can get the board on their ethical toes here.

 

[Flocka]

It all depends. If the party was blatantly guilty for the death than it is understandable as some form of punishment, but not in any obscene way just to make money due to a car accident or something along those lines.

 

[Mike80]

If one of your loved ones died a wrongful death at the hands of someone else, would you sue for millions of dollars or just enough to cover the court/funeral/missed work costs? I asked one of my classes this question (spurred by the radio station/water incident) curious to see what they'd say and they were split down the middle.

Do you think suing for an abundance of money in this scenario is basically saying that so and so's life was worth X amount of dollars? In my opinion it would be an act of greed and disrespect to the person who passed. There is no dollar sign on a mother, spouse, child or brother IMO.

What do you guys think? This stuff happens all the time. Maybe we can get the board on their ethical toes here.

I don't know. I hope no one on this board ever faces that decision.

If, say, something were to happen to my wife and it was clearly a case of negligence, I'd probably try to find a way to secure enough money for my kid to live a healthy life/college fund if something were to happen to me.

Other than that, I'd probably not try to break the bank.

 

[Taosman]

I suggest that none answer this as it could find it's way into court some day.

I'm sorry! Cornerback. :(

 

[Flocka]

I suggest that none answer this as it could find it's way into court some day.

I'm sorry! Cornerback. :(

Don't want to establish precedent?

 

[BUCKYLE]

I think the reason most go for money in cases such as the one you referred to is for revenge. The only way the family of the victim can get any measure of that from a business is taking profits and negative publicity, both of wich occur by a high profile lawsuit.

 

[Cornerback6]

IMO, going for large amounts of money, regardless of the intent or lack of intent behind the killing...is never going to solve anything. I think that the only thing that might accompany such money-driven, perhaps venegful actions would be more negativity which could then create a really messy cycle.

Personally, I don't see how anyone can justify asking for a particular (large) amount of dollars. I would be slightly ashamed I think considering the fact that forgiveness is probably the best way to heal any wound regardless of how the person was killed. If I'm asking for money, it has nothing to do with my missing that person, and that's all that should matter in the end.

 

[The Man]

Agree. I think the reason most go for money in cases such as the one you referred to is for revenge. The only way the family of the victim can get any measure of that from a business is taking profits and negative publicity, both of wich occur by a high profile lawsuit.

I would sue for as much as I could possibly get and then disperse it to worth while charities in my loved ones name. Keeping the memory of them alive while fucking over the motherfucker who killed my loved one in the first place. A win-win, less fortunate people benefit and the bastard that was responsible will be broke forever and hopefully would then kill themselves.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

If one of your loved ones died a wrongful death at the hands of someone else, would you sue for millions of dollars or just enough to cover the court/funeral/missed work costs? I asked one of my classes this question (spurred by the radio station/water incident) curious to see what they'd say and they were split down the middle.

To me, suing only for the amount to cover the court/funeral/missed work costs is an insult to your lost loved one.

I would sue for as much as I could possibly get and then disperse it to worth while charities in my loved ones name. Keeping the memory of them alive while fucking over the motherfucker who killed my loved one in the first place. A win-win, less fortunate people benefit and the bastard that was responsible will be broke forever and hopefully would then kill themselves.

Best possible answer...

 

[tibor75]

I'm always amused by the stupidity of those who right after an airline crash (when it's not even known yet if there was anybody blame) blindly file a lawsuit. the good thing is that I then stop feeling sorry for them, as they likely deserve whatever happened to them.

 

[BUCKYLE]

IMO, going for large amounts of money, regardless of the intent or lack of intent behind the killing...is never going to solve anything. I think that the only thing that might accompany such money-driven, perhaps venegful actions would be more negativity which could then create a really messy cycle.

Personally, I don't see how anyone can justify asking for a particular (large) amount of dollars. I would be slightly ashamed I think considering the fact that forgiveness is probably the best way to heal any wound regardless of how the person was killed. If I'm asking for money, it has nothing to do with my missing that person, and that's all that should matter in the end.

If it were a situation where complete negligence lead to a loved ones death, I would want some sort of action taken, if for nothing else than for a deterrent to it happening again.

With a business, the only way to get that message accross is through money. Take the money and set up a foundation for people going through a similar crisis.

I'm not saying I would, just trying to give a reasoning for others maybe.

 

[OSU_Buckguy]

I'm always amused by the stupidity of those who right after an airline crash (when it's not even known yet if there was anybody blame) blindly file a lawsuit. the good thing is that I then stop feeling sorry for them, as they likely deserve whatever happened to them.

right. the death of a loved one is what they deserve for filing lawsuit after the death of a loved one. i mean, people experiencing deep sorrow should be expected to think rationally.

 

[Cornerback6]

I do like the idea of taking the money and dispersing it to worthwhile charities & things of that nature.

I stick by my guns though by saying that asking for money is putting a pricetag on that person's life. If I died, I'd rather my family not ask for a bunch of money...unless they were in dire need for it (not likely).

 

[tibor75]

right. the death of a loved one is what they deserve for filing lawsuit after the death of a loved one. i mean, people experiencing deep sorrow should be expected to think rationally.

If they file a lawsuit just to get some money out of their pain, they deserve whatever pain they're feeling.

I'd expect somebody who is experiencing deep sorrow to have more important things on their mind than money.

 

[tibor75]

I wonder if the fact that OJ Simpson can't make any money is any solace to Ron Goldman's family. I doubt it.