SO MUCH FOR JUSTICE

Some of you may remember that a little over a year ago, a federal fisheries boat operater reached down to pull a plug and turned into us destroying my guide boat. According to the estimate our boat was totalled. Well today I got the final Award letter. $0.

The bottom line here is you can’t deal with the federal government without an attorney. After asking,(a parralegal who sounded like he had no idea what he meant by the letter I had just received form him), for what exactly they needed and not being given that info I sent them documentation above and beyond what will be needed in United States District Court, which fortunately is our next option. It took me no less than a week to put together all the information that was sent. One whole package of which they claim they can’t find?????

I sure am proud of the Federal employees that so far have made the ridiculous determinations, and really feel sad for them since obviously their job description is very similar to the advertising on TV that shows the Boss telling the claims adjustor to do everything they can to make sure they defraud the claimant.

The most disgusting thing of all is the driver said right there in front of all of us that he reached down and pulled a plug and turned the boat right into us. I am so proud to have the Genoa Fisheries as one of our neighbors. I actually am not angry at all, just sad that this is how our government treats individuals.

I think my attorney will probably get a little more of their attention, which in itself is a sad state of affairs.

I guess now I also have the option of Civil action against the driver, and the other parties in the boat who were busy talking, none of which, were looking in the direction the boat was going. So obviously their employer,(the United States Government),has no regard for them as employees either.

Lawrence,

I am glad you were not injured in this accident? You might be able to retrieve your attorney fees from the government if the court finds in your favor. Unfortunately, in this country, we always need to have an attorney for both sides to make sure no ones rights get trampled. Everything would cost half as much as it does now without them in the picture.

This is where I always think a cop (a real cop) needs to be on sight for ANY accident no matter the damage, it’s too bad you can’t trust anyone these day to just be decent and honest, and fess up to the actions.

The manager of the Fishery was actually one of the others in the Fisheries Boat and he used his cell phone at my request to call the DNR warden. His response was that the DNR officer was in a meeting and would come see the boat the next day. He did not contact me and so I called La X and got a contact number for him. I left a message the next night on his answering machine. He did not return my call. So two nights later I called again and his answering machine did not answer. I would love to hear why he didn’t and may have that opportunity in the future. Right now I guess I should have called the Sherrif’s office, but unfortunately I foolishly trusted our Government to do the right thing.

Sometimes it’s NOT just about time on the water….

You would think the driver would do the right thing at talk to the adjusters.

Why does a person need a lawyer for a clear cut case?
I feel your disapointment and I hope they do come around and do the right thing.

In all fairness to Dan the driver of the other boat …. it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if they never even talked to him, and I doubt that he has any idea what this initial outcome is, and unless I really don’t know him I believe he will do the right thing. Heck he was so upset about what he did that he called me two nights later to make sure all of us were physically okay. My biggest fear in this whole thing was that Dan a neighbor and a nice guy would loose his job over this. What a sucker hey since it almost cost me my business. If a freind had not loaned me money to get another boat I would be out of business.
I guess what burns me the most is I’m the guy who is always telling everybody …do the right thing, don’t break the rules, our Government is great, pay your taxes you get them back a thousand times, etc. Right now I wouldn’t trust the Department of the Interior to help a blind ,handicapped grandma, out of the middle of heavy traffic. The most telling thing about this all is the arrogant attitude of everyone not local to this situation.

Lawrence,

I understand that you are probably not very happy with the government right now. Let the process work its course. You are right about doing the right thing, paying your taxes, etc. This is the best country in the world. We can do our business in relative safety. We have good roads and infrastructure. In many countries, you wouldn’t even have the recourse to follow a legal avenue. The government has insurance and you have witnesses to the accident. Case closed.

Lawrence,

I am suprised you are not even more frustarted. I worked for the U.S Treasury Dept. for 32 years having retired in July 2002. My experience with legal matters was substantial and for the most part I found dealing with the Government was frustrating, time consuming and expensive. We initiated hundreds of cases, could care less when they were settled and frankly flexed our muscles too much.

Good luck, but it may be a long haul.

Why has your insurance company not been involved from the start? They have many more resources to pursue situations just like this one. An individual by ones self will be eaten up by the politcal barriers you will face. Let the insurance company go to war for you.

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The government has insurance and you have witnesses to the accident. Case closed.

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Not usually. Nearly always government agencies are bonded or self-insured. Standard policy is to deny all claims and let the court sort out everything, regardless of how obvious or simple.

Keep your chin up Mt Man, it’s just how they do business (and yes, it sucks). I hope all goes well for you in the end.

Court might just be a better option anyways, even though it sucks, My insurance company said they would not pay a claim for a little accident I was in (in my truck) until they threatened alaw suit, then the rolled on their back, and paid them, then raise my rates, even though, I truely wasn’t at fault. Only my better jusdgement stops me from finding that car again, and taking back out the $600 dollars they screwed me out of in MY raised rates, I didn’t even file a claim on them… I’m sure they’ll pay for in somehow, someway, I’m sure things will be evened out, (faith in god, and doing things that are right) for those cheating #!@(*&#)s , I only wish I could see it… This will NEVER happen again in my world, it’s too bad, but next time I’ll handle things much differently.

Had there been an acident report, I’m sure things would’ve been in my favor.

Stupid me once, and never again.