W000246
Thursday, November 08, 2001 11:25 AM
RE: September 11th Victims Compensation Fund
I lost my son, age 39, in the World Trade Center attack
on Sept. 11, 2001. The grieving and the devastating loss of my son will
remain with me for the rest of my life.
Through my tears, I will try to express my opinion regarding the
Compensation Fund.
1. Eligibility To Make a Claim
Don't parents count? According to the regulation, if my
daughter-in-law, (whom I am very close to), decides to go with the Fund,
I am totally excluded from receiving any monetary damages. It should be
specified that other family members (parents) should also be part of the
award. Their award should not be deducted from the spouses. As the law
stands now, I also cannot sue or file a lawsuit against the terrorists,
terrorist organization or countries that support terrorism, nor can I
sue any company for negligence. I am totally excluded as if my
heartache does not matter.
The regulation should clearly state that surviving family members
have their own, derivative claims. The regulations should also create
uniform rules addressing which family members are entitled to share in
an award and how they will share in the award. Again, don't I count?
2. Nature & Amount of Awards
The victims should have the option of accepting the award or being
able to sue on their own. They should not have to sign away their right
to sue before they know what the award will be.
The victims should also be allowed to sue the assets of the
Terrorist funds whether they receive an award from the Fund or not.
The Act could not have been intended to protect the financial interest
of terrorists or terrorist organizations.
Collateral benefits should not include payments from charities.
The regulations should create a procedure by which there can be an
administrative appeal of the award.
I certainly you can help me to have a voice in this matter.
Thank you,
Individual Comment
Princeton, NJ