Compensation Model

I agree with “Exiting the Asbestos Trap” (editorial, Dec. 30) that the results of asbestos litigation have been disastrous. However, I see a serious flaw in the editorial’s narrow focus on asbestos. Can’t we be intelligent enough to see that the same fate will come to the next group of victims? Can’t we see that, once again, lawyers have run away with most of the available money and what little money finds its way to these victims will be divided with great inequality and delay?

I also agree that the Sept. 11 fund is an excellent model for compensation of victims. The success of this model is a result of the courts being out of the process. The courts have proven themselves incompetent. We should not only extend this model to asbestos victims but to future victims of other situations as well.

Rick Smets

West Hollywood