Settlement will be lost in budget crisis
The article “Molested girl gets $1.5M in state settlement” [NWSaturday, Nov. 14] presented information regarding a mother unable to care for her 2-month-old child because of encounters with the law. The 2-month-old child was placed in the paternal grandmother’s home and then the grandfather was released from prison, convicted of child-molestation charges.
Then the grandparents took turns abusing the child. Not a pretty family testimonial.
So now the government is charged with making good family decisions, and the family is not responsible? Now a state agency — Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) — is responsible for people’s actions, and sued successfully, and families are not accountable.
One issue to consider: Where does the state agency get funding to pay for this frivolous lawsuit? Taxpayers?
Government typically self insures, funded by taxpayer dollars.
Was there a need for liability insurance protection when DSHS was created? Some people might now consider this service as an entitlement.
In closing, the article indicated the lawyering activity was rewarded with one-third of the $1.5-million settlement. A $1.5-million settlement will soon be lost in the $20.5 billion DSHS 2010 supplemental budget request submitted to the Office of Financial Management.
— Mike Klein, Seattle