ROANOKE, Va. --- Most families of victims of the mass shootings at Virginia Tech have agreed to an $11 million state settlement that will compensate families who lost loved ones, pay survivors' medical costs and avoid a court battle over whether anyone besides the gunman was to blame.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said Thursday a "substantial majority" of families of victims of the Virginia Tech shootings agreed to the settlement.
Peter Grenier and Douglas Fierberg, who represent 21 families, said the settlement was worth more than $11 million, but neither they nor the governor would discuss its terms until final papers are drawn in a few days.
Mr. Grenier and Mr. Fierberg said seriously injured victims "will be well compensated and have their health care needs taken care of forever," and that families who lost loved ones would be "similarly compensated and cared for."
"We want to make sure the settlement is fiscally responsible for the commonwealth," Mr. Kaine said, "but it's kind of a fair balance of a variety of interests."
Mr. Kaine noted that families who have not agreed to it still could file suit. Notice must be filed by April 16.
Seung-Hui Cho, a mentally disturbed student, killed 32 victims, including Ryan Clark of Martinez, and wounded two dozen others at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, before committing suicide.
Comments
This is a nice gesture, but I do not understand why it is necessary. I understand the part about those who were injured getting their medical care taken care of, but I don't understand why the state is compensating families. I'm not trying to be mean or uncaring, but I just don't know how that is justified.
I concur. People only see dollar signs even in the face of a family tragedy.
Money can nevber buy the lost lives nor cure the trauma of the survivors that will be with them forever. A nice gesture however.
This is a nice gesture. It was done because Gov. Caine is a nice guy who truly cares for people. He sees this as helping to alleviate any financial hardships the victims and their families may endure, whether student loans, funeral expenses, or healthcare costs.
People die everyday...there are expenses related to their care. It's stupid to exepect that the state compensate each victim/their family $523,809. If I were a tax payer in the state of VA I would be livid!
One of the reasons is because they didn't clear the campus after the 1st shooting was reported. That is called negligence. While the money won't bring those loved ones back it does offer those families a little bit of relief in their expenses.
" People die everyday". I guarantee you did not voice the same opinion about the 911 victims.
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