Katrina Victim Sues For $3 Quadrillion

Federal Government Hit With 489,000 Claims For Damages Sustained During 2005 Hurricane

(AP)  Hurricane Katrina's victims have put a price tag on their suffering and it is staggering - including one plaintiff seeking the unlikely sum of $3 quadrillion.

A whopping $3,014,170,389,176,410 is the dollar figure so far sought from some of the largest claims filed against the federal government over damage from the failure of levees and flood walls following the Aug. 29, 2005, hurricane.

Of roughly 489,000 total claims, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it has received 247 for at least $1 billion apiece, including the one for $3 quadrillion.

"That's the mother of all high numbers," said Loren Scott, a Baton Rouge-based economist.

For the sake of perspective: A mere $1 quadrillion would dwarf the U.S. gross domestic product, which Scott said was $13.2 trillion in 2007. A stack of one quadrillion pennies would reach Saturn.

Some residents may have grossly exaggerated their claims to send a message to the corps, which has accepted blame for poorly designing the failed levees.

"I understand the anger," Scott said. "I also understand it's a negotiating tactic: Aim high and negotiate down."

Daniel Becnel, Jr., a lawyer who said his clients have filed more than 60,000 claims, said measuring Katrina's devastation in dollars and cents is a nearly impossible task.

"There's no way on earth you can figure it out," he said. "The trauma these people have undergone is unlike anything that has occurred in the history of our country."

The corps released zip codes, but no names, for the 247 claims of at least $1 billion. The list includes a $77 billion claim by the city of New Orleans. Fourteen involve a wrongful death claim. Fifteen were filed by businesses, including several insurance companies.

Little is known about the person who claimed $3 quadrillion. It was filed in Baker, 93 miles northwest of New Orleans. Baker is far from the epicenter of Katrina's destruction, but the city has a trailer park where hundreds of evacuees have lived since the storm.

Katrina, which is blamed for more than 1,600 deaths in Louisiana and Mississippi, is considered the most destructive storm to ever hit the U.S. It caused at least $60 billion in insured losses and could cost Gulf Coast states up to $125 billion, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Most of the claims were filed before a deadline that coincided with Katrina's second anniversary, but the Corps is still receiving them - about 100 claims have arrived over the past three weeks - and is feeding them into a computer database.

The Corps said it isn't passing judgment on the merits of each claim. Federal courts are in charge of deciding if a claim is valid and how much compensation is warranted.

"It's important to the person who filed it, so we're taking every single claim seriously," said Corps spokeswoman Amanda Jones.

[shanev137]

hahaha...and I thought oil speculators were going to bankrupt this country first. I guess it''s going to be people suing Bush/Fema.

[rushlimpdrug]

Only three?
I would have figured at least 4 maybe 5.
But what do I know, I''m paying over 3 dollars for a gallon of gasoline.

[quetzal666]

?Dam//n.......

[gunownerdan]

You''ve got to be an idiot to depend on the government for everything. Also, I clearly remember the mayor and governor telling people to leave New Orleans or they will die. They even told people to write down their soc. security numbers on their arms to help identify the bodies and thousands of people still didn''t leave. Now they are blaming anyone they can - BUT THEMSELVES.

[cheddarboy82]

I didnt know you could sue mother nature. just a bunch of tards

[hambonehd]

sunseeker6,

Amen!!

[liberalme]

"You''ve done a hellova job there Brownie"

[gheemaster38]

Man i am so trumatized by Katrina... I am going to sue anybody with that name for 16 terra-million bucks...

[bb19631]

This story really makes me angry. I am sick of hearing about Hurricane Katrina''s victims! The heros in NY. during 911, don''t whine that much.

[paul-la]

These people have known for years they were
living below sea level.We as taxpayers owe
them absolutely zero. We should not have to
pay for their complete ignorance.

[incog-nito]

That''s not so bad! I thought for sure they were going to sue for 3 gazillions dollars.

[taddles-2009]

Does a Gazillion have 27 or 28 zero''s?

[drivelphobe]

Are these lawsuits coming from the citizens of the "chocolate" city? The same citizens who voted for Nagin? The same citizens who destroyed the sports arena, looted the stores, used emergency funds fraudulently from FEMA to purchase wide-screen TVs, lived on cruise ships in luxury far beyond any reasonable period, relocated temporarily to other states, bringing crime, destruction and squalor as their gift and thank you for assistance? The same citizens who lied and attempted to defraud FEMA?

Where''s Jesse and Al on this?

This is sickening. Hand outs is all they know and this would be a doozy.

[Krazcarl]

Put them and thier lawyer in jail for being so stupid.

[scully152]

They should have left N.O. when they were warned to leave. Someone else who posted mentioned they KNEW they lived under sea levels. I live in taxachusetts and even I know that N.O. is below sea level. Granted they messed up BIG time when planning the levees and the people who lost homes should be compensated fairly (appraised value) of their home and any vehicles HOWEVER they should NOT be compensated for any loss of life since they WERE told to leave or risk death. It is NOT the governments fault they CHOSE to stay. For that the taxpayers should not have to pay.

[patsy2007-2009]

What is wrong with this people...I understand they have nothing but suing for more than they had..huh, I don''t think so!!! Some lived in homes that were not even worth a quarter of what they are suig for..
But hey we should sue then back when they get they''re money and ask for our moneys worth x 5 for all the help / food/ shelter / and clothing they got while they were in need.

[amazedd]

Would said plaintiff settle for a Pie, like?

[cfin5]

You have got to be joking me. One hundred brand spanking new "New Orleans" cities wouldn''t even cost that much. Courts are gonna throw that krap out and rightly so.

[slim1h2o]

Any Judge that allows these suits to go forward, should be removed, and disbarred. As well as the lawyers, submitting these ridiculous amounts of money.

[notblue]

Do these people think the Government could have prevented the Huricane? Is the Government and taxpayers supposed to pay for damages caused by natural disasters?

[musyk4me]

So let me get this straight - people that died because there was no where for them to evacuate to - it is their fault? Because they are deciding to sue, just like the other people (WHO ARE NOT ALL BLACK AND ON WELFARE!!!!) and businesses that include insurance companies (did you read the whole article), it is okay to talk about them like this? So let me get this right, there was not any crime at all until Hurricane Katrina evacuees arrived in the area, right? I am sure that all of you who posted such rude and negative comments have been in and lived through something like Hurrican Katrina, right? You were right there in California when homes burnt down to see how they reacted, right? I wasn''t there and I didn''t live through it, so I won''t pass judgement on their decisions to sue. Besides, why should you complain? It is no different than the woman who sued McDonald''s because SHE spilled hot coffee on herself and got burned. Or the hundreds of people that have sued the tobacco industry because THEY CHOSE to smoke and ended up with a terminal illness. And they all won!! Granted millions of dollars by a jury of tax-paying people just like you and me. By the way, please don''t talk about the ignorance of people when you can''t even spell.

[kattyclayz]

These people are just looking for an easy pay check and someone to blame for their own stupidity. I say, let them have the money they''re suing for but make a stipulation that they:
1. Have to build/buy a new home
2. Pay to have a new levee up to standards built
3. Pay taxes for 08 season on EVERY FRICKIN'' DOLLAR THEY GOT!!!

Bet they''d drop their suits really fast then. Especially because I''m sure that almost everyone suing is used to claiming under the poverty level with 2 or more kids for Dependency & Earned Income Credit.

[amazedd]

Plus Free Coffee, We''re OPEN 22/7

[musyk4me]

Oops...I almost forgot one more thing. To "drivelphobe": you spoke of the citizens defrauding FEMA. Don''t forget about FEMA defrauding themselves. Do a little research and learn of the FEMA employees that used monies set aside for Katrina victims to purchase items for themselves. But I understand - those brand new Sony laptops, iPods, vehicles, and vacations to sunny beaches were important. Handouts is all who knows? Black people? Sure...there aren''t any white people on welfare in the United States. Hmmm?

[lochlan-2009]

"Is the Government and taxpayers supposed to pay for damages caused by natural disasters?"

Unfortunatly, when an idiot representative (Bush) puts a moron (Brown)in control of the disaster relief (FEMA), that we all paid taxes toward, to insure our safety, yes, the gov. and the tax payers are responsible and have to pay. Just as if an insurance company were to do the same thing, the insurance company and its investors would be held responsible.

[realtalk5950]

I''m going to sue my television for 573 septillion dollars for showing me coverage of this cr/ap, then im gonna sue my remote control for controlling the television, then im gonna sue my hand for controlling the remote control, then im gonna sue my arm for......wait...

[fitedafuture]

look forward to a new economy after this, this will surely put a dent in someones wallet..

[soxfan2980]

This story is just another example of why our country is heading into the toilet. While I am sure there are many valid claims in the ones that have been filed, the majority of them, mainly the people who believes they are due billions, trillions, or quadrillions of dollars, are the same people that refused to leave when asked to evacuate, or the people who got a mortgage for a home they couldn''t afford in the first place, or ran up 25000 of credit card debt buying rims for their car and plasma tvs.
These are people who were poor before the storm and dependent on the goverment to support them. Now, they are using this as an excuse to become rich. Its digusting.. I don''t care how long you sat on your roof to get rescued because you were too ignorant or lazy to try and evacuate, no one is "owed" that kind of money. What did you do with your FEMA and insurance (if you had any) money?? Unfortunately, I work for a high- end retailer and can tell you first hand a lot of you spent it on Louis Vuitton bags, diamond jewelry, and other luxury items. Maybe you should have taken it and tried to start a new life.
People need to take accountability for their living situations and conditions. You CHOSE to live there! As a Taxpayer, I am NOT responsible for taking care of you

[fitedafuture]

soxfan you made a very good point,however consider the victims that had no means of evacuation,the elderly,homeless. I understand there is a majority of people who would take advantage of a situation,hell I think anyone would just about,But the problem lies in our dependence of deliverence. when a natural disaster is imminent we do issue warnings.Its just up to indivisual to heed to it.

[fitedafuture]

also blame CBS for naysaying on the tagline,making it seem like a singular person sued for that amount..

[scully152]

musyk4me, If people had no where to go then they could have gotten onto the busses that were povided to them FOR evacuation. They STILL chose not to go, in that case it IS their fault. I think everyone who lost a home they OWNED should be able to sue to recover for the loss and the people who rented should be able to sue for their personal belongings, wether they evacuated or not. I just do not think they should be able to sue for loss of life when they CHOSE not to get on those busses. I agree with you that the woman who sued McDonalds for her coffee being too hot is a moron just as the people who CHOOSE to smoke sue the tobacco ocompanies.

[realtalk5950]

One person did sue for $3,000,000,000,000,000. The other number they gave was all the claims combined including that one..

[scully152]

notblue, These people cannot sue for the government not preventing a hurricane, that is just a ludicrous idea. They are sueing because the government did NOT build a levee that was good enough to with stand as big a hurricane as Katrina was. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Do these people think the Government could have prevented the Huricane? Is the Government and taxpayers supposed to pay for damages caused by natural disasters? Posted by notblue

[klingon69]

Posted by musyk4me at 04:50 PM : Jan 10, 2008
Make sure you can substantiate your claims. The tobacco lawsuits had absolutely NOTHING to do with smokers. It had to do with states recuping losses do to treating indigent and unpaying patients for lung ailments due to smoking. The smokers did NOT get anything.
The people were warned in advance, many stayed, maybe instead of looting, raping and pillaging, they should''ve been walking wheeling, crawling out of there.
There was crime, but it dramatically increased after the influx of Katrina refugees.
To date I have been through 4 hurricanes, two during the Navy, one at sea and one in port. I have lived through floods and fires.
Granted the woman at Mcds was asinine, coffee is suppoed to be hot. See above about smokers.
I feel I can talk about the refugees, it is an American right, remember 1st admendment.

[realtalk5950]

Im gonna sue the car dealerships for having those bright lights at night. Those hurt my eyes....oh yeah and for the salesmen being so pushy..

[klingon69]

soxfan you made a very good point,however consider the victims that had no means of evacuation,the elderly,homeless. I understand there is a majority of people who would take advantage of a situation,hell I think anyone would just about,But the problem lies in our dependence of deliverence. when a natural disaster is imminent we do issue warnings.Its just up to indivisual to heed to it.
Posted by fitedafuture at 05:30 PM : Jan 10, 2008
Since they were warned, and done so by representatives of their own local and state government, the state and local governments should''ve provided transportation for those who could not evacuate on their own. This was a local problem. What about those who opened fire on helecopters coming to aid them?

[klingon69]

also blame CBS for naysaying on the tagline,making it seem like a singular person sued for that amount..
Posted by fitedafuture at 05:34 PM : Jan 10, 2008
The 3 quadrillion claim WAS from ONE person.

[logicanada]

In a just world the homeless from Katrina would be awarded all the new high-end condo''s that are being constructed on the land they were removed from.

[finewoven]

I''m gonna sue my mother and father for having sexx, and bringing me into this contemtable environment where I could be harmed. I might try for $500M, but I''ll take their house, retirement and personal possessions in lieu of that amount.

[katg21]

Unfortunatly, when an idiot representative (Bush) puts a moron (Brown)in control of the disaster relief (FEMA)... Posted by lochlan

What of the Governor of the state; the Mayor, you don''t blame them for any mismanagement? No, you''re right, Bush himself should have jumped in the freakin'' water and checked those levies himself...it is his fault.

[one_american]

I wonder where those knotheads think the money will be coming from...that''s right, taxpayers, right out of your pocket.

But don''t expect liberals to understand that one - they only think about what they believe they are "entitled" to.

[rohink-2009]

Were any of these "victims" productive members of society prior to the hurricane? Some how I doubt it. There are some people that are just a drain on society. They don''t want an education, they don''t want to work. They just want to be a poor little victim and have the Government (taxpayers) take care of them.

[downsteamjim]

Thank goodness envirnomentalists are not responsible for their actions. They blocked attempts to reduce storm surge from the east. I trust they were satisfied with the result.

[ioweign]

I wonder where those knotheads think the money will be coming from...that''''s right, taxpayers, right out of your pocket.

But don''''t expect liberals to understand that one - they only think about what they believe they are "entitled" to.


Posted by One_American at 06:37 PM : Jan 10, 2008


Yeah - the Iraqis contractors are entitled to THAT money. How dare those liberals !!!

[ioweign]

What of the Governor of the state; the Mayor, you don''''t blame them for any mismanagement? No, you''''re right, Bush himself should have jumped in the freakin'''' water and checked those levies himself...it is his fault.


Posted by katg21 at 06:33 PM : Jan 10, 2008



He could have - he is in over his head all the time anyway!

[ssm9451]

This is to funny!!

[logicgal1]

This is proof that liberalism is a mental disorder. Most of these people were employed at minimum wage and were content to live in a shack before the storm. But now, well it''s gimme a mansion and a billion dollars. They''re disgusting.

[susanhelit]

"Were any of these "victims" productive members of society prior to the hurricane? Some how I doubt it. " - without reading comprehension, I somehow doubt you are a productive memeber of society. If you could read, you''d see that among these victims who are suing are several businesses and the city itself.

[chinodon]

So, this is the worst trauma that has occurred in the history of our country, huh? If they didn''t die then it''s not the worst trauma.

I guess what our ancestors went through during the revolutionary war wasn''t comparable to Katrina, or the Civil War, or slaves who lived and worked on the plantations or war veterans of every war this country has fought.Or, maybe 9/11.

Yep, can''t compete with Katrina.

[ioweign]

This is proof that liberalism is a mental disorder. Most of these people were employed at minimum wage and were content to live in a shack before the storm. But now, well it''''s gimme a mansion and a billion dollars. They''''re disgusting.



Posted by logicgal1 at 07:18 PM : Jan 10, 2008

Do you work for the IRS and know everyones wage ?


Maybe they just want to be republicans !!