rjob,
Interesting article and thanks for posting.
I read articles like this from time to time and, I'm almost ashamed to say, I just shrug my shoulders and say "It is what it is, it's the land we live in". The U.S is the most litigious country on the planet where anyone can sue anyone else for whatever reason, as trivial as it might be, and have their day in court. Sometimes they win, and sometimes they loose. In this case they won big so it was worth a roll of the dice. The nearly 500M payout, if it ever comes, because I'm sure Murphy-Brown will appeal, will be reduced to the state cap which appears to be 95M, which is still a pretty good return. Whichever side ultimately ends up winning or loosing, the lawyers will always be paid. For the record, I'm not knocking lawyers because I am one.
To me, the only ways to reconcile conflicts start with mutual cooperation and compromise, which is voluntary. Beyond that, it's legislation, regulation, and litigation. Unlike most other countries, litigation reigns supreme in the U.S. Also, regulation typically stems from legislation, and most legislators in the U.S. are lawyers who always have a biased and vested interest.
It is what it is.
