Are there cases where I think the parties should be billed? Yes, the group in the linked article is a prime example of people who should be paying.
Are there cases where I think the parties should not be billed? Yes, things happen. If you're prepared for everything, you never do anything.
Are there cases where I'm not sure if people should be billed? Absolutely! And it is hard for the law to deal with these cases.
One model I find interesting is SAR insurance. The way this works most of the time is that you need a permit to climb a particular peak (i.e. Mt. Rainer). The permit is not cheap but comes with accident insurance which pays for a rescue should it be needed. Of course you'll get people who climb the mountain several times a year for years, who get mad about paying for service they never need. (Ski areas are a good example, one thing that your lift ticket pays for is the Ski Patrol.)
Searches are expensive even if you don't use air support. (Most of the teenager's bill was for the helicopter.) Even if the search teams are volunteer, there will be law enforcement involved (read: paid, most likely overtime). The volunteer teams gladly give there time (and money) but we do get frustrated when the subject is so far over their head they can't even see the sky.
EMS companies deal with this too. You (or your insurance) pays for the ambulance ride. It Pittsburgh, PA they will bill your insurance and bill you for the rest unless you're a city resident in which case they get what they can from insurance and write off the rest.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2009-11-03 03:21 am (UTC)Are there cases where I think the parties should be billed? Yes, the group in the linked article is a prime example of people who should be paying.
Are there cases where I think the parties should not be billed? Yes, things happen. If you're prepared for everything, you never do anything.
Are there cases where I'm not sure if people should be billed? Absolutely! And it is hard for the law to deal with these cases.
One model I find interesting is SAR insurance. The way this works most of the time is that you need a permit to climb a particular peak (i.e. Mt. Rainer). The permit is not cheap but comes with accident insurance which pays for a rescue should it be needed. Of course you'll get people who climb the mountain several times a year for years, who get mad about paying for service they never need. (Ski areas are a good example, one thing that your lift ticket pays for is the Ski Patrol.)
Searches are expensive even if you don't use air support. (Most of the teenager's bill was for the helicopter.) Even if the search teams are volunteer, there will be law enforcement involved (read: paid, most likely overtime). The volunteer teams gladly give there time (and money) but we do get frustrated when the subject is so far over their head they can't even see the sky.
EMS companies deal with this too. You (or your insurance) pays for the ambulance ride. It Pittsburgh, PA they will bill your insurance and bill you for the rest unless you're a city resident in which case they get what they can from insurance and write off the rest.