Responsibility wrote on Sep 3, 2008 1:11 PM:While I am sorry for the loss of these two aviators, I think the wires had been there for quite some time. If they were such a hazard, how come nobody from Camp Pendleton complained to the utility about them before? This suggests to me that the wires were not unreasonably placed.

Jimmie wrote on Sep 3, 2008 1:19 PM:There go the utility rates.

Ooh Rah wrote on Sep 3, 2008 1:27 PM:Good for them!!!! Make SDG&E accountable for their mistakes. These families lost loved ones, a woman lost her husband and not while at war, while they were training and all because SDG&E was too cheap to pay for some balls to put on the wires to alert low flying aircraft near CP when they new that the military did training there all the time. Maybe now they can come to some mutual agreement where SDG&E and Camp Pendleton can split the cost of said balls so this tragedy will never happen again!

A wrote on Sep 3, 2008 1:30 PM:WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! They didn't meet the requirement to need lights or markers supposedly right? I mean if they followed the rules should they still be held negligent? What about the military? Shouldn't they have been monitoring things too? THIS IS CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!

A wrote on Sep 3, 2008 2:04 PM:Too OohRah:
If they split the cost of the balls, shouldn't they split the cost of the law suit then too?

Ask wrote on Sep 3, 2008 2:08 PM:>>The panel of nine women and three men also said Lawlor's wife should receive $4.5 million in the loss of her husband's future earnings.<<

Now isn't that just a BIT excessive for future earnings? Sure wish I had their kind of calculator!

John wrote on Sep 3, 2008 2:49 PM:Ask - No, it's probably conservative. A mid-career military aviator usually has their Masters Degree and can usually find lucrative pay in the Defense or Aviation field (their pick). With most people working now until their 70s, 4.5 million sounds close.

The malice part is what's interesting. Obviously they found something not mentioned in the article or in newsprint elsewhere.

Marine wrote on Sep 3, 2008 3:09 PM:This is a travesty but typical of our legal system. Two entities are responsible for this: 1. The pilots and their operations personel who failed to account for a known and documented hazard prior to this training mission (Operational Risk management), and 2. Camp Pendleton Range Control who sets requirements for all ranges on base and mitigates hazards. SG&E is at best a tertiary party to this, but the lawyers know that SDG&E's money is much more accessable than the Marine Corps' money. Make no mistake, either way that's our tax or utility dollars paying for this. These jurors are the typical lemmings that get selected for civil cases; always fall for the sob story against the big, heartless corporation. If anyone is to take the blame for this it should be the Marine Corps. 99% of the blame for this incident is internal. Typically these awards get reduced drastically on appeal, so let's hope for the best.

Geeze wrote on Sep 3, 2008 3:33 PM:I hope the power lines in the next war in the next country are marked or SDG&E will get blamed for that to. Can we call ahead and make sure the enemy lights them for us? Though I feel for the families left behind this was an accident. Just shows how juries see emotions and not facts. They think mean old SDG&E has plenty of money to give away. HEY JURY. We, meaning you too, will pay for this accident with higher rates.

No way wrote on Sep 3, 2008 4:05 PM:Some blame not major,but jury at fault on this one. Just like all juries, attorneys don't pick them because they are smart or even have common sense. They pick someone that will feel sorry for their clients and poor family. Appeal would be great.

Go for the big pockets right wrote on Sep 3, 2008 5:47 PM:SDG&E needs to appeal the decision bottom line. Why did the family not sue the feds?

UH-N Huey Crew wrote on Sep 3, 2008 8:37 PM:I served with the Marines that were killed in the Huey they were detached from our command (HMLA-169) and were part of the MEU stationed out of Mirimar. All were great Marines and Adam Miller was a skilled pilot and a great test pilot.

I have logged well over 3,000 flight hours in the UH-1N (Huey). This incident was a tragedy but even flying in low light conditions with NVG's I could still make out the power lines. If we were to conduct training in that part of base such as terfing at NOE (nap of the earth), we would brief the associated hazards (power lines).

As much as this is a tragedy each pilot and aircrew Marine volunteer for flight status. My feelings are that SDG&E should not be held accountable.

If the Marine Corps felt it was hazard then they should have restricted flight training in that area.

The Marine Corps has a system in place called ORM (Operational Risk Management). You identify potential risks and identify solutions to prevent the risk.

In all fairness, I was not in the cockpit that night and it is not fair for me to be a Monday morning quarterback but no amount of money can bring four outstanding Marines back.

well said wrote on Sep 4, 2008 12:57 AM:it couldnt have been said any better. i feal the same way that should of been pointed out way before and for the reason that the OPM never said nothing is the reason why these brave marines are no longer with us. i dont think its all to blame on sdg&e. god bless the families of the brave soldiers for there great loss. i thank them for there protection in this pointless war that who know who is the real enemy. god bless all our marines and army navy for what they do. thanks.

Slappy wrote on Sep 4, 2008 5:38 AM:Are all the towers and lines marked and lit in Afganastain, or Iraq?

Reform Needed wrote on Sep 4, 2008 9:58 AM:No doubt this is a tragedy for the families. But this is just another example of an out of control legal system that doesn't just cost us money (we'll all pay for this, not SDG&E), but continues to put ever more restrictions on society in the name of "safety".

Unfortunately, since most politicians are lawyers, many trial-lawyers who've made their fortunes through law suits, the chances of any significant reform are slim to none.

to Geeze UH wrote on Sep 4, 2008 10:07 AM:Right on! Sorry families, but this reminds me of the McDonalds hot coffee burn lawsuit.
Maybe SDG&E should put safety warning stickers on the towers so people won't fry themsleves.

CP Employee wrote on Sep 4, 2008 10:25 AM:Apparently, this issue was addressed with SDG&E prior to the accident. SDG&E did not take action to fix the problem, so they are to blame. Just wait a few months and see what happens to your electric bill. Bet this expense will be passed on to the customers.

Same jury wrote on Sep 4, 2008 4:17 PM:that tried OJ. Again, I hope when the Marines go to war the enemy lights the power lines and anything else that might impede our helicopters. I feel for the families but accidents do happen. Just because there are deep pockets available doesn't mean they are at fault.

Are you people serious wrote on Sep 8, 2008 10:22 AM:Thank the four soldiers who died in this crash for the right to make your comments! They died practicing to protect your lives and freedom. They deserve a lot more.

UH-1 Crew wrote on Oct 8, 2008 10:01 AM:It's sad to see all these negative comments. I was lucky enough to be Captain Millers crew-chief during OIF. Unless you flew with him in the worst of times I don't think you have the right to judge his skills or abilities. Power lines are almost impossble to see at night. He was by far one of the best! This crew gave all without complaint. I will miss you my friends.