Price of Human Life Calculated Every Day

The idea that no price is too high to pay to save a single life is a commonly held point of view.  But not in Washington D.C. apparently.  Inside the Beltway, they take a very stubborn approach to the value of human life.  Recently, the Environmental Protection Agency downgraded its estimated value of a life for $8 million to $7.22 million.  On the other side of town, meanwhile, the Department of Transportation raised its calculation from $3 million to $5.8 million.  And the Consumer Product Safety Commission held its estimate right where it was at $5 million.  Government agencies use these estimates to evaluate the merits of choices they make.  They’re also something to consider when injuries consumer and workers are asking “How much is my life worth” in a personal injury case.