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How a deadly fall revealed CIA secrets

theguardian.com

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Re: How a deadly fall revealed CIA secrets

#2
>Because Olson’s survivors had signed away their right to legal relief when they accepted their $750,000 compensation payment in 1975, they could not sue the CIA.

can someone clarify how this works? how does signing away a right work? isn't it just a contract?

am I correct that people in such a situation could in theory still seek legal relief, but that in doing so they "merely" violate this "contract"?

Re: How a deadly fall revealed CIA secrets

#5

>Because Olson’s survivors had signed away their right to legal relief when they accepted their $750,000 compensation payment in 1975, they could not sue the CIA. can someone clarify how this works? how does signing away a right work? isn't it just a contract? am I correct that people in such a situation could in theory still seek legal relief, but that in doing so they "merely" violate this "contract"?

I don't think so. Signing away your right to sue is pretty common.

Re: How a deadly fall revealed CIA secrets

#6

>Because Olson’s survivors had signed away their right to legal relief when they accepted their $750,000 compensation payment in 1975, they could not sue the CIA. can someone clarify how this works? how does signing away a right work? isn't it just a contract? am I correct that people in such a situation could in theory still seek legal relief, but that in doing so they "merely" violate this "contract"?

I don't think so. Signing away your right to sue is pretty common.

as if breach of contract with the government never occurs?

as if such disputes are never settled by court?

Re: How a deadly fall revealed CIA secrets

#10

>Because Olson’s survivors had signed away their right to legal relief when they accepted their $750,000 compensation payment in 1975, they could not sue the CIA. can someone clarify how this works? how does signing away a right work? isn't it just a contract? am I correct that people in such a situation could in theory still seek legal relief, but that in doing so they "merely" violate this "contract"?

It's referred to earlier as a settlement. It's a form of pre-trial relief when both sides agree that this settles the matter and brings litigation to an end. It's not a contract per se, and to seek legal relief again, you would have to find new grounds - you have effectively used your legal relief. It's the usual end for lawsuits.
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