Katrina Ruling Could Bring New Deluge Of Lawsuits

Katrina Lawsuits Now that a federal judge has blamed
"monumental negligence" by the Army Corps of Engineers for some
of the worst flooding from Hurricane Katrina thousands of storm
victims could be lining up for money.

by Associated Press

Published: Thu, November 19, 2009 - 4:24 pm CST Last Updated: Thu, November 19, 2009 - 4:40 pm CST

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana - Now that a federal judge has blamed "monumental negligence" by the Army Corps of Engineers for some of the worst flooding from Hurricane Katrina, thousands of storm victims could be lining up for money.

The decision opens the door to billions of dollars in other claims by more than 100,000 individuals, businesses and even government entities that have pending damage claims against the corps.

Residents of the hardest-hit areas have argued that Katrina's damage was largely a result of the government's failure to maintain the levees protecting the city.

But a law professor at Loyola University in New Orleans says if the ruling holds up on appeal, he'd expect Congress to approve a federal settlement, rather than go through individual trials.

Plaintiffs' lawyers say they'll approach congressional leaders after Thanksgiving with a list of demands to settle the case. They say the federal government needs to compensate victims throughout New Orleans, and fix the region's broken infrastructure.

WKRG.com » News Stream » Hurricane

Photo

WKRG.com Related

» Tropical Systems Tracking and News

» Disaster Supply Kit

» Family Disaster Plan

Discuss this in the forum

Email to a Friend

Printer Friendly

sheltiedad Says:

Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 8:05 pm

The Katrina free money cow must be drying up. Time to look for a new entitlement cow with a spare teat or a new money tree to keep the money flowing.

Heaven forbid if anyone would have to get a job or actually work to rebuild after a storm (like many people from MS and AL did).

You know there are still freeloaders living in hotel rooms with 3 free meals a day and have not been able to rebuild in over 4 years.

Oh yes, once the greed leeches find out the government might be at fault, and Obama controlling the spigot, it’s party time…Let the free money flow!

Report Abuse

cmb1 Says:

Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 2:13 pm

#1 why would you live in an area you know is going to flood 1 day? That is just stupid! Now all the hungry lawyers are just hoovering…

Report Abuse

southfan1981 Says:

Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 12:46 pm

Right, don’t trust the engineers. Sacramento and other cities protected my levees and dams and dikes had better watch out. When Army Corps of Engineers recommended New Orleans have their protective system refurbished and the money was refused, Coprs gave up their responsibility. Go to the administration that refused to fund updating the system. They are the ones who put their signature on the failure.

I keep thinking about that National Geopgraphic article from back in the 70s that identified the issues that brought 80% flooding to the city.

Good luck with all that.

Report Abuse

cmb1 Says:

Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 9:24 am

Amen Carl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Report Abuse

carl Says:

Fri, Nov 20, 2009 at 7:16 am

Unless you have permission to sue them and if you did they probably wouldn’t pay anyway.I guess this money is wanted on top of all the other money already recieved from FEMA and other groups.They must have spent all the other money they recieved and are now looking for more.There ain’t no money tree and guess where the money is gonna come from if they win an award.

Report Abuse

claycitymadness Says:

Thu, Nov 19, 2009 at 7:21 pm

You can’t sue the Feds, japaneese still haven’t gotten a cent. This is just a Louisiana stunt. (japaneese internees who got a judgement but congress refuses to fund it after 25 years. Another ‘hand me someting mister’ grab by them