Letter to the Editor:
Businesses Not To Blame For Katrina

The Bluefield Daily Telegraph, November 6, 2005

The litigation lottery approach has gone to a new level in this country as lawsuits are being filed on the heels of the recent destructive natural disasters in the southern part of this nation. Apparently, plaintiff attorneys are creating class action and mass suits against anyone they can think to blame for the destructive effects from Category 5 hurricanes. A couple of these have been filed in Mississippi ; a state that has worked recently to correct its lawsuit reputation.

Some are alleging that major oil companies are responsible for global warming and the recent round of hurricanes such as Katrina and Rita. Others are filing suits against insurance companies on behalf of individuals who elected not to get federal flood insurance, even though those same individuals were living in flood prone areas. It is common practice for homeowner policies to exclude flood losses. These pending lawsuits want insurance companies to be held financially responsible for these tragic events and poor decisions.

What these victims need is rapid response and sufficient aid to get their lives - and their communities - back into productive order. We need to get businesses back in operation so jobs can be restored.

This is the most reasonable way for getting our fellow citizens back to some level of normalcy.

The legal lottery must end in this nation if we are to maintain a viable and prosperous business community.

We need a reality check in this nation. We don't need more lawsuits that exploit natural disasters and try to take advantage of human suffering.

Steve Roberts, president
WV Chamber of Commerce
Charleston , WV