Pushing Back the Frontiers of Ignorance: Lawsuit for Tsunami Victims

Tuesday, February 15, 2005

European tourists are suing a French hotel chain, Thai government, and the U.S. weather forecasters because they did not act "appropriately" in warning about the tsunami. Is this right? Should it be thrown out as "frivolous"?

tom said...: On first blush, this smells of a throw away publicity suit. However, it is often easy to misjudge based on news reports. lets see if they have anything.

For negligence, they will have to show a legal duty owed to the plaintiffs and a breach of that duty. I'm not sure what legal duty these defendants owed. Second, I don't know how they would have breached a duty. Duty to warn? I think they did try to do what they could.

One thing is that IF (big IF) there was a recognizable duty, much of the loss of life could have been prevented since they only had to walk a mile inland to get out of the way.

I have not thought about it, but...venue? jurisdiction?

BTY check out my new space: http://feetman78.blogspot.com/; February 15, 2005 3:55 PM
tom said...: This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.; February 15, 2005 3:55 PM

Pushing Back the Frontiers of Ignorance