The 2015 collapse of the Fundão dam in Brazil caused a giant mudslide that killed 19 people.
  • Empricorn@feddit.nlEnglish
    2·
    11 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·
      11 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.