Government fine is 3 times the medical bills

Yeah, our system does not work because you can buy insurance for accidents.

A New Zealand climbing wall business was hit with a $50,000 fine plus $17,000 in medical bills by a government agency. A 13-year-old girl fractured her ankle and pelvis while climbing when she fell 8 meters at Ferg’s Rock ‘n’ Kayak in 2008. The New Zealand Department of Labour levied the fine and assessed the damages for the girl’s injuries. The article does not explain how the girl fell.

Government fines are not covered by any insurance policy. Like criminal fines, a government fine is not something you can purchase insurance to pay.

The owner of the rock-climbing wall, Ian Ferguson, a New Zealand Olympic legend may be forced out of business attempting to pay the fine and damages.

Because fines are not insurable, the $67,000 will have to come out of the pocket of the owner of the climbing wall.

In most countries that do not have the US litigation system, the government steps in order to regulate businesses and industry. Regulation can mean everything from creating policies and procedures, which is also being done in this case, to fine and bringing criminal charges. Here you can purchase insurance to cover the risk of litigation and damages. Although businesses in the US do not want to be sued, they can at least remain in business if they are sued.

See Ferguson hit with fine for rock climbing accident.