I think the fund was set up generally to curb mass tort litigation given the amount of damage, number of people and the rare level of visibility. There isn't much high profile discussion of all the various mid-to-low level people that are entrenched in litigation at the moment.

While I can't speak on motivations for the fund with any authority, it seems to fall somewhere between reducing liability and providing for victims families. I don't think the disparity in compensation, based on life expectancy and loss of future income, was the best resolution. It makes sense perhaps when comparing at 75 year old retiree to a 35 working mother. However, the million dollar difference between a stock broker and firefighter's compensation (the latter's family receiving less) doesn't seem quite right.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A57209-2004Nov17.html

-- MiaWhite - 20 Apr 2008