2008 Woodie Awards
"... And the Home Where We Sue The Brave"
David Kerschner
Issue date: 9/30/05 Section: Commentary
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In the wake of one of the worst natural disasters in our nation's history, it is the responsibility of all Americans to make sacrifices in order to help those in need. Thankfully, countless numbers of benevolent persons have made these sacrifices and are willing to help. To my surprise, however, there have been reports that some lawyers are trying to profit off the misfortunes of others and have been unwilling to make any sort of sacrifice for those in need.
In the days prior to the storm that ravaged New Orleans, many hospitals were faced with the question of whether or not to evacuate their patients out of the city. Most of these hospitals were stocked with supplies and were able to withstand any hurricane. Some of these hospitals decided that it was not in their best interest to evacuate because in previous evacuations of the city, there were instances of patients dying while stuck in traffic on hot busses used to evacuate the hospitals.
In some of these hospitals, patients who were not evacuated were killed by the flood waters or the lack of supplies in the days after the storm. The nurses and doctors in these hospitals risked their lives for their patients and waited out the storm with them. Many even stayed behind as flood waters began to rise. Even in the days after the storm - when the supplies needed from FEMA and other government agencies had not yet arrived - many caregivers still remained behind to help those in need.
According to The Dallas Morning News, there are a number of lawsuits planned against those hospitals that found themselves caught in the way of the deadly flood waters. Such lawsuits can be viewed as nothing short of a slap in the face to these brave doctors and nurses. The New York Times reported that the suits may cause many of these valiant caregivers to lose their jobs. The caregivers who stayed behind are being blamed for the death of those who they stayed behind to care for. These lawsuits are a clear representation of the greed of a few despicable people who plan to profit off the misfortune of those who tried so hard - and in some cases gave their lives - to save others.
In the days prior to the storm that ravaged New Orleans, many hospitals were faced with the question of whether or not to evacuate their patients out of the city. Most of these hospitals were stocked with supplies and were able to withstand any hurricane. Some of these hospitals decided that it was not in their best interest to evacuate because in previous evacuations of the city, there were instances of patients dying while stuck in traffic on hot busses used to evacuate the hospitals.
In some of these hospitals, patients who were not evacuated were killed by the flood waters or the lack of supplies in the days after the storm. The nurses and doctors in these hospitals risked their lives for their patients and waited out the storm with them. Many even stayed behind as flood waters began to rise. Even in the days after the storm - when the supplies needed from FEMA and other government agencies had not yet arrived - many caregivers still remained behind to help those in need.
According to The Dallas Morning News, there are a number of lawsuits planned against those hospitals that found themselves caught in the way of the deadly flood waters. Such lawsuits can be viewed as nothing short of a slap in the face to these brave doctors and nurses. The New York Times reported that the suits may cause many of these valiant caregivers to lose their jobs. The caregivers who stayed behind are being blamed for the death of those who they stayed behind to care for. These lawsuits are a clear representation of the greed of a few despicable people who plan to profit off the misfortune of those who tried so hard - and in some cases gave their lives - to save others.