# You knew it was coming... (tsunami lawsuit) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 16, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432 "2005-02-16T22:07:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/1 "2005-02-16T22:07:00Z")
From [this](http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20050216/wl_afp/asiaquakeaustria_050216011816) story. A lawyer has filed suit in New York against a French hotel chain, the government of Thailand and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) over the results of the tsunami last Dec 26. The suit was filed on behalf of German and French tourists in Thailand at the time of the tsunami. In short, the suit claims that the NOAA didn’t do enough to warn the Thai government that the tsunami was headed it’s way and that the Thai government didn’t do anything to warn the people to flee inland. Sigh. Firstly, the U.S. (and the NOAA) don’t owe any warning to French and German tourists (sure it would be nice to give it, but it isn’t required in the sense that the failure to do so is actionable). Secondly, IIRC, the NOAA is only designed to cover the Pacific regions, not the Indian Ocean. There is (presently) no tsunami detection equipment in the Pacific. Thirdly, IIRC, we did try to warn governments in that area (although we didn’t meet much success). I hope this one gets bounced and the lawyer who filed it reprimanded. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![macabresoul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e68b1a/32.png) [@macabresoul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/macabresoul)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/2 "2005-02-16T22:53:02Z")
Re-goddamn-diculous look at this > [@](#): > > Accor is named in the lawsuit because the plaintiffs say the chain did not properly inform relatives of the victims after the disaster and had built its Sofitel hotel, in the Thai resort of Khao Lak, on a quake fracture line. They probably didn’t inform them because thier hotel was floating 20 miles out into sea. They are getting sued cuz they built on a fracture line??? At least they didn’t build it on an ancient Indian buriel ground… imagine how badly they would’ve gotton sued then. > [@](#): > > “But people want to know, even if they (their relatives) had no choice,” said Fagan, who has filed class-action suits on behalf of \*\*Holocaust victims \*\* to receive compensation in Germany and other European countries. ??!11??1!!??? How in the world can someone this so openly full of shit be taken seriously. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@GorillaMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaMan)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/3 "2005-02-16T22:59:10Z")
“Built a hotel on a faultline”?! How could they do such a thing?! Does that mean we should close every hotel in southern California, Hawaii, southern Italy, …? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/4 "2005-02-16T23:01:17Z")
I’m trying hard to think of how and why they expect to get a settlement. First, why should any part of the government be responsible is beyond me, since they don’t have an obligation to help. Why a hotel chain should be held responsible I don’t know. I don’t believe it has any ohligation to tell relatives about their dead. And the government of Thailand? Snould their be some sort of pain-infliction technique used on people who pull crap like this? Like little-law-shit detectors, who go around using electric prods on poeople who do it. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/5 "2005-02-16T23:04:27Z")
I have some words for this asshole, but I’ll keep them to myself. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/6 "2005-02-16T23:14:31Z")
If I may quote Lyle Lovett: “What would you be if you didn’t even try? You HAVE to try.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/7 "2005-02-16T23:17:48Z")
Lyle’s not gonna be to happy about that, Inigo. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/8 "2005-02-16T23:18:33Z")
No, some things _don’t_ need to be tried. ---
**Author:** ![macabresoul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e68b1a/32.png) [@macabresoul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/macabresoul)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/9 "2005-02-16T23:23:00Z")
Well they might still have their dignity if they didn’t try. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/10 "2005-02-16T23:31:53Z")
> [@World Eater](#): > > No, some things _don’t_ need to be tried. How can I resist this setup? Evidently somone thinks a French hotel chain, the government of Thailand and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration needs to be tried! : ba dum bum : Sorry **Eater** , I had ta do it. And **Granny** , Lyle’d LOVE IT! BWAAA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA HAHAHAHAHHH ``` HAHA AHH hahehhe ``` :mmf MMMMMf! !!!: : scuffle : : scuffle : : clink : ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2005, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/11 "2005-02-16T23:54:48Z")
> [@macabresoul](#): > > Re-goddamn-diculous > > look at this > > > [@](#): > > > > Accor is named in the lawsuit because the plaintiffs say the chain did not properly inform relatives of the victims after the disaster and had built its Sofitel hotel, in the Thai resort of Khao Lak, on a quake fracture line. 😕 But the fracture line in Thailand had nothing to do with anything? Why doesn’t he sue them for building a seaside resort by the ocean? The nerve. I agree with Zev that this clown should be reprimanded - if we define reprimanded as being horsewhipped and run out of town on a rail. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2005, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/12 "2005-02-17T00:40:46Z")
I know you had to do it **Inigo** , I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2005, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/13 "2005-02-17T00:54:41Z")
> [@zev\_steinhardt](#): > > Firstly, the U.S. (and the NOAA) don’t owe any warning to French and German tourists (sure it would be nice to give it, but it isn’t required in the sense that the failure to do so is actionable). > > Secondly, IIRC, the NOAA is only designed to cover the Pacific regions, not the Indian Ocean. There is (presently) no tsunami detection equipment in the **[Indian Ocean]**. > > Thirdly, IIRC, we did try to warn governments in that area (although we didn’t meet much success). > > I hope this one gets bounced and the lawyer who filed it reprimanded. > > Zev Steinhardt First off, You’re right, we don’t owe them a warning. Secondly, I know you meant the Indian Ocean and just typoed, and NO, there is no established Tsunami detection network in the indian ocean like we have on the Pacific Rim. Thirdly, you’re correct once again, our Atmospheric scientists and geophysicists did in fact attempt to warn the nations who were hardest hit, AFAIK. Sam ---
**Author:** ![JohnBckWLD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d6d6ee/32.png) [@JohnBckWLD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnBckWLD)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2005, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/14 "2005-02-17T01:38:38Z")
British rule yet, anyone? ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2005, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/15 "2005-02-17T01:42:22Z")
> [@macabresoul](#): > > How in the world can someone this so openly full of shit be taken seriously. You’re forgetting, it’s a lawyer in New York. Frankly, I’m surprised this wasn’t filed in San Francisco. Man. If this pit isn’t one that everyone can agree on, I don’t know what it would take. What a complete fucking assbag. My ire isn’t even tempered by the fact he’s going after a French company. Anyone on the left coast care to track Motel6 rates for increases? ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2005, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/16 "2005-02-17T14:11:40Z")
> [@GaWd](#): > > Secondly, I know you meant the Indian Ocean and just typoed, Yep, I meant “the Indian Ocean.” Thanks for catching that for me. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2005, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/17 "2005-02-17T19:23:56Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > You’re forgetting, it’s a lawyer in New York. Frankly, I’m surprised this wasn’t filed in San Francisco. Bite me. Not all Californians (Californian lawyers) fit your stereotype, wanker. ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/18 "2005-02-17T23:19:52Z")
> [@The Devil's Grandmother](#): > > Bite me. Not all Californians (Californian lawyers) fit your stereotype, wanker. Oh, you’re right. I was getting CA mixed up with South Dakota. I had forgotten which state had a pile of shithead lawsuits. By your vitriol, I assume you’re one of them? If so, point proven. Here, have a bite of this, Miss Pissy. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![zev\_steinhardt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/97f17d/32.png) [@zev\_steinhardt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zev_steinhardt)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2005, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/19 "2005-02-17T23:32:56Z")
Now, now… I know this is the Pit, but let’s save the venting for the one who really deserves it… the lawyer who filed the suit. Zev Steinhardt ---
**Author:** ![GaWd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f08c70/32.png) [@GaWd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaWd)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432/20 "2005-02-18T00:41:29Z")
Stop being your usual dumbfuck self, Duffer. You, as always, have overgeneralized and made yourself look like your usual ass self. Now, dirtfarmer, Since California is one of the largest states, has one of the largest populations in the US, and has the 4th largest economy in the WORLD, you can expect that there would be more lawsuits-frivolous or not. Since the median income level(and intelligence, if you are any sort of barometer), the size of the economy, the size of the population of lawyers and the size of the population of nutcase wanksters is much smaller in Dirtfarmerville, SD, you can expect many less lawsuits. So have a bite of this, Mistuh Pissy :rolleyes: Nothing worse than someone who runs around and generalizes on an entire population based on how many lawyers and lawsuits there are… Sam [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/you-knew-it-was-coming-tsunami-lawsuit/290432.md?page=2)