Claims Filed Against Federal Government For Katrina Damages

Some folks might be getting a little greedy.

Of roughly 489,000 total claims, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said it has received 247 for at least $1 billion apiece, including the one for $3 quadrillion.

"That's the mother of all high numbers," said Loren Scott, a Baton Rouge-based economist.

For the sake of perspective: A mere $1 quadrillion would dwarf the U.S. gross domestic product, which Scott said was $13.2 trillion in 2007. A stack of one quadrillion pennies would reach Saturn.

Stack of pennies. You're killing me. Use large bills, genius. Sheesh.

Some residents may have grossly exaggerated their claims to send a message to the corps, which has accepted blame for poorly designing the failed levees.

"I understand the anger," Scott said. "I also understand it's a negotiating tactic: Aim high and negotiate down."

Ah, negotiation, gotcha. Well, hopefully government lawyers can chisel a quadrillion or so off that figure before we have to hand over the whole continent plus Hawaii and fuckin' Guam to this one guy.

posted by Laura. at 09:02 PM

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