The 2015 collapse of the Fundão dam in Brazil caused a giant mudslide that killed 19 people.
  • aelwero@lemmy.world
    2·
    5 months ago

    Or maybe give it to the people who were actually affected by it? The ones in who’s names the judgement was made?

    It literally says it’s a punitive assessment for emotional damages… I don’t think the government got its feelings hurt…

    • Empricorn@feddit.nlEnglish
      2·
      5 months ago

      I agree with your first point. But the only thing most companies understand is money. A punitive fine will save lives and prevent future negligence.

      • aelwero@lemmy.world
        1·
        5 months ago

        A punitive assessment for the emotional damage from deaths and destruction of personal property on a grand scale, including the environment the damaged parties live in, is entirely appropriate.

        Levying it under that pretense, but putting it in a discretionary fund under purview of government is essentially a 100% tax on the damages done to the victims.

        Claiming it will be used to benefit those victims is a whitewash… It never goes to the victims unless it’s awarded to them.

        There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the punitive assessment, my objection is purely to the recipient.