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IDemo

(16,926 posts)
Sat Jul 13, 2013, 08:56 PM Jul 2013

Judge to weigh whether WTC owners can seek money from airlines over 9/11

Source: NBC News

A judge who has presided over most of the litigation stemming from the Sept. 11 attacks will decide whether the owners of the World Trade Center can try to make aviation companies pay billions of dollars in damages.

U.S. District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein said he will announce his decision immediately after hearing several witnesses and listening to arguments in a nonjury trial starting Monday and expected to last three days.

The trial will decide whether World Trade Center Properties and its affiliates can receive more than the $4.9 billion in insurance proceeds they have already recovered since the 9/11 attacks by terrorists who hijacked commercial airliners and flew them into the 110-story twin towers. The attacks led to the destruction of the towers as well as a third trade center building.

If the judge should decide that the World Trade Center owners were entitled to additional money, a liability trial might occur. The defendants include American Airlines Inc., AMR Corp., United Airlines Inc., US Airways Inc., Colgan Air Inc., Boeing Co. and the Massachusetts Port Authority, among others.

Read more: http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/13/19456744-judge-to-weigh-whether-wtc-owners-can-seek-money-from-airlines-over-911?lite

32 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Judge to weigh whether WTC owners can seek money from airlines over 9/11 (Original Post) IDemo Jul 2013 OP
I don't get it sakabatou Jul 2013 #1
I am having a hard time with this too. christx30 Jul 2013 #2
It's not IDemo Jul 2013 #3
Pure and Simple AverageMe Jul 2013 #5
agree. all the previous hi-jackings and they never started to lock cockpit doors! Sunlei Jul 2013 #9
The FAA never ordered it. former9thward Jul 2013 #13
That is NOT the law, the FAA can require something, but that is all happyslug Jul 2013 #22
I don't think that case is a good precedent. former9thward Jul 2013 #24
You missed the point, the case pointed out liability in areas where they was no regulations happyslug Jul 2013 #28
The judge agreed with me. former9thward Jul 2013 #30
But it will be appealed as set forth in the article happyslug Jul 2013 #31
That will take two or three years. former9thward Jul 2013 #32
Recommended but it wasnt required was it? cstanleytech Jul 2013 #23
Seems like an obvious attempt at an insurance grab LibAsHell Jul 2013 #27
I think it should be... SoapBox Jul 2013 #4
The elite suing the elite leads to this crap.... Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2013 #6
Yes. And let's not forget how heavily subsidized the airline industry is. Another regressive tax. nt adirondacker Jul 2013 #8
Their pilots, flight attendants and passengers were murdered. Their planes were destroyed. Nye Bevan Jul 2013 #7
Property over People every time. Spitfire of ATJ Jul 2013 #14
America in a nutshell. Putting the boot to they who are least able to afford it. TheMadMonk Jul 2013 #10
IMO dotymed Jul 2013 #11
If there were any evidence for a conspiracy the insurance companies wouldn't have paid up cpwm17 Jul 2013 #12
lol dotymed Jul 2013 #15
Obviously you've got nothing cpwm17 Jul 2013 #16
Trade links? dotymed Jul 2013 #17
Here's one. There are many just on DU. dotymed Jul 2013 #19
I skimmed the video cpwm17 Jul 2013 #25
"Solidify the myth." Yes, all laws of physics and common sense were broken on 9/11. chimpymustgo Jul 2013 #18
I am aware of this. dotymed Jul 2013 #20
If they should sue anyone, why not Al Queda life long demo Jul 2013 #21
Lawyerz gonna lawyer BeyondGeography Jul 2013 #26
Oh.My.God. librechik Jul 2013 #29

christx30

(6,241 posts)
2. I am having a hard time with this too.
Sat Jul 13, 2013, 09:04 PM
Jul 2013

Guess it's line when someone steals your car or gun and commits a crime with it? It's a very dangerous line of thinking. That people can be held liable for crimes commited using objects stolen from them?

 

AverageMe

(91 posts)
5. Pure and Simple
Sat Jul 13, 2013, 11:27 PM
Jul 2013

There were no locks on the doors to the pilot's cabin, although such a precaution had been recommended many times.

 

happyslug

(14,779 posts)
22. That is NOT the law, the FAA can require something, but that is all
Mon Jul 15, 2013, 07:04 PM
Jul 2013

The FAA can REQUIRE things for planes, but that does NOT mean the Airline can NOT install other items that the FAA does not require (in this case locks on doors to the Cockpits). Given that such locks were Recommended, that the FAA did not require them does NOT relive the airline of liability due to their failure to install such locks.

The classic case is from the 1932s where Federal Judge Learned Hand ruled that since an accident could have been avoided if a barge had a radio, the failure to have a radio is grounds for being liable due to the damage done by the barge. The fact that most barges did NOT have radios OR that radios were NOT required by any state of Federal Law was NOT a defense to liability for failing to have a radio. Hand's rationale was simple, how else are you to force people to adopt new technology unless you make it clear that they are liable for NOT have the new technology once such new technology does prevent accidents or other harm. Please note, the radio in question were radios to receive weather reports and other news items NOT to transmit messages. By 1932 such radios were common in most people's home let alone ocean going barges.

The same rationale here, locked Cockpits had been recommended since the 1970s and that period's hijackings, thus the fact that the FAA did not require it does NOT relieve the Airlines of fault for NOT having them. The fact that the FAA never required such locks is NOT a defense, given that such locked Cockpits would have prevented any take over of the airlines AND thus any of the airlines hitting any buildings.

More on Learned Hand:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learned_Hand

The actual decision in that case:
http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=8197801632769400398&q=60+F.2d+737&hl=en&as_sdt=2002

former9thward

(32,020 posts)
24. I don't think that case is a good precedent.
Mon Jul 15, 2013, 07:16 PM
Jul 2013

Barge traffic was not even remotely regulated like the airlines industry. Everything airlines do, especially maintenance and technology, is regulated. The WTC owners have made billions off the insurance companies. They are just looking for more.

 

happyslug

(14,779 posts)
28. You missed the point, the case pointed out liability in areas where they was no regulations
Tue Jul 16, 2013, 09:57 AM
Jul 2013

In the case of the locks on the Cockpit, it had been recommended since the 1970s. The FAA did not require locks NOR BANNED THEM, thus it was up to each airline to install them or not to install them. In the 1930s it was NOT required for barges to have radios to receive weather reports, but such radios were NOT banned and given this was a COASTAL barge traffic, even then regulated by the US Coast Guard (Being involved with interstate shipping is why the case was in Federal Court).

The holding was simple, if the cost to prevent a loss was low, the fact that it is NOT required is not a defense. Compared to the cost of a door without a lock, a door with a lock was only marginally more expensive (In fact the FAA required replacement of all doors without locks with door with locks after 9/11 for even replacing the door was relatively cheap). Thus that an area of the law has extensive regulation is NOT a defense unless it can be show that the Regulation prohibited what would have prevented the loss. In the case of 9/11 the FAA had clearly recommended locks on Cockpits, but had NOT required such locks, thus they was NO REGULATION FORBIDDING LOCKS. Thus the cited 1932 case comes into play.

 

happyslug

(14,779 posts)
31. But it will be appealed as set forth in the article
Thu Jul 18, 2013, 04:44 PM
Jul 2013

This is one of those areas where the Appellant courts will have to decide, so it is NOT over yet.

former9thward

(32,020 posts)
32. That will take two or three years.
Thu Jul 18, 2013, 04:52 PM
Jul 2013

Unfortunately we will not be able to keep this sub-thread going that long!

cstanleytech

(26,293 posts)
23. Recommended but it wasnt required was it?
Mon Jul 15, 2013, 07:14 PM
Jul 2013

If not then *shrug*
Besides the ones at fault are the ones who did the deed and funded them so if anyone should be sued its the estates of the people who took over the flights and crashed them into those buildings as well as the people and or estates of those who funded them.

LibAsHell

(180 posts)
27. Seems like an obvious attempt at an insurance grab
Tue Jul 16, 2013, 12:56 AM
Jul 2013

Planes belong to the airlines and are insured. Lawyers probably figure they've nothing to lose by trying. I won't speak to the ethical implications but I'm surprised this didn't happen sooner.

SoapBox

(18,791 posts)
4. I think it should be...
Sat Jul 13, 2013, 09:06 PM
Jul 2013

unfortunately the U.S. Government.

Knives like box cutters, were allowed on board (but for the life of me, WHY the fuck were they?)...security had no reason to stop them.

These creeps were all in the U.S. and were allowed to roam freely, including taking odd flying lessons (red flag...the one terrorist
wanted to skip small planes and only learn about, was it the 757 or 767? The flying school thought it odd but...again, major
red flag?).

The procedures for cockpit access at the time were across all airlines (not exactly the same at all carriers but close) and probably
should have been strengthened earlier...procedures, as anyone that flies has seen are much more secure.

So...looks like the WTC owners, just like all the stupid lawsuits that get filed these days, include swinging wildly in all
directions hoping to get money, Money, MONEY out of anyone they can.

 

Spitfire of ATJ

(32,723 posts)
6. The elite suing the elite leads to this crap....
Sun Jul 14, 2013, 01:31 AM
Jul 2013

This is like getting smacked in the face with a frying pan and suing Wolfgang Puck.

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
7. Their pilots, flight attendants and passengers were murdered. Their planes were destroyed.
Sun Jul 14, 2013, 01:35 AM
Jul 2013

And now they are being sued? Utter bullshit.

 

TheMadMonk

(6,187 posts)
10. America in a nutshell. Putting the boot to they who are least able to afford it.
Sun Jul 14, 2013, 07:15 AM
Jul 2013

Just had to read the headlines to know this is a place I don't want to be tonight.

dotymed

(5,610 posts)
11. IMO
Sun Jul 14, 2013, 11:23 AM
Jul 2013

This is a great way to solidify the myth that the WTC buildings were (perfectly) "pancaked" due to the "unforeseen" attacks, by
the "terrorists" flying civilian passenger jets into those buildings. Even though some of the buildings were not even hit
by the airliners.
I hope they allow the defense to utilize the testimony of the most renowned (for their professional knowledge) and unbiased, international physicists and structural engineers. Also unbiased top American defense insiders (some of whom quit after 9-11) to explain how this was physically able to happen.

Of course, this will never see the inside of a court room. National Security would be at stake.

Honestly, 9-11 broke so many laws of physics, structural knowledge and U.S. defense capabilities that no matter how hard the MSM (following the second day) explained it all away, I can not fathom how intelligent adults can still believe (IMO) the fairytale that
"explains" 9-11.
No, I am not an Alex Jones follower, nor do I get my "news" from Bill Maher.

This post will probably offend the "sensibilities" of some juries and some fellow DU'ers.

Sorry (actually I am not), but proven laws of physics, the "trifecta" that was the aftermath of 9-11 (especially when the terrorists documents were found intact on top of the rubble) and even the comments made by the 9-11 commission about their inability to get
cooperation from "our" many "security" agencies, have definitely formed my identity as a "truther."

 

cpwm17

(3,829 posts)
12. If there were any evidence for a conspiracy the insurance companies wouldn't have paid up
Sun Jul 14, 2013, 12:41 PM
Jul 2013

Last edited Sun Jul 14, 2013, 01:24 PM - Edit history (1)

No such evidence exists. All of the laws of physics did just fine that day. You've been reading the lies and B/S from conspiracy scammers.

 

cpwm17

(3,829 posts)
16. Obviously you've got nothing
Sun Jul 14, 2013, 08:59 PM
Jul 2013

Virtually the entire engineering and scientific community disagrees with you.

dotymed

(5,610 posts)
19. Here's one. There are many just on DU.
Mon Jul 15, 2013, 03:34 PM
Jul 2013

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="

?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 

cpwm17

(3,829 posts)
25. I skimmed the video
Tue Jul 16, 2013, 12:31 AM
Jul 2013

It's boring as hell. It's full of the usual name droppings of companies and people, but absolutely no evidence for any conspiracy. Quantity doesn't make up for quality. A long list of names with alleged sinister connections doesn't constitute evidence.

Here's a much shorter clue on what brought WTC7 down: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1135337#post33

Here's a clue on who did it: http://www.democraticunderground.com/11353759#post97

And here's a clue on what brought the Towers down:

chimpymustgo

(12,774 posts)
18. "Solidify the myth." Yes, all laws of physics and common sense were broken on 9/11.
Mon Jul 15, 2013, 12:28 PM
Jul 2013

But the "narrative" will be enforced, and the PTB can pass more money around among themselves.

dotymed

(5,610 posts)
20. I am aware of this.
Mon Jul 15, 2013, 03:49 PM
Jul 2013

It's an international scandal but most Americans, even 11 years later, refuse to acknowledge the scientific laws ( besides the dozens of American security, SOP...automatic procedures) that "failed" to be operating that day.
Very many people (as witnessed) get pissed and want to shoot the messenger if you bring it up....

honestly, I get spooked even mentioning it

librechik

(30,674 posts)
29. Oh.My.God.
Tue Jul 16, 2013, 11:04 AM
Jul 2013

the gall!!

But maybe the airlines would try to force them to prove their planes did it! That would be sadly amusing.

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