I read this a few weeks ago and thought how on earth does one deal with such a terrible tragedy? It is obvious, by any statistical analysis, that there is a si

I read this a few weeks ago and thought how on earth does one deal with such a terrible tragedy? It is obvious, by any statistical analysis, that there is a single common cause. Something went horribly wrong many years ago. And behind that cause is almost certainly liability and therefore provision of treatment or compensation to ease the misery of those affected. The problem is that tracing the cause is likely impossible. Digging through the past, sending discovery letters, interviewing witnesses, and turning up stones best left alone would cost a fortune and take forever. What always seems to happen is that by the time there's any case, trial and remedy the victims and perpetrators have all died. For things like this we need national insurance pools. They should be paid into by chemical companies, power providers, mining and transport companies, and all businesses that create external risks. Of course some will argue that would create negative safety incentives, which is a fair argument, but the idea does not preclude criminal liability too.