2008 Woodie Awards
VT families take state settlement
By: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Issue date: 4/11/08 Section: Nation
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 yesterday 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.
Grenier and 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," Kaine said, "but it's kind of a fair balance of a variety of interests."
Kaine called the agreement "very positive," but 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 and wounded two dozen others at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, before committing suicide. Forty families had previously filed notice with the state that they may sue.
Cho killed two people in a dormitory, then killed 30 more than two hours later in a classroom building before taking his own life. University officials have been criticized for waiting about two hours before informing students and employees about the first shootings, which police initially thought were an act of domestic violence.
The gunman had been ruled a danger to himself during a court commitment hearing in 2005 and was ordered to receive outpatient mental health care, but never received treatment.
Attorney General Bob McDonnell's office had no comment on the settlement, spokesman Tucker Martin said.
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said yesterday 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.
Grenier and 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," Kaine said, "but it's kind of a fair balance of a variety of interests."
Kaine called the agreement "very positive," but 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 and wounded two dozen others at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, before committing suicide. Forty families had previously filed notice with the state that they may sue.
Cho killed two people in a dormitory, then killed 30 more than two hours later in a classroom building before taking his own life. University officials have been criticized for waiting about two hours before informing students and employees about the first shootings, which police initially thought were an act of domestic violence.
The gunman had been ruled a danger to himself during a court commitment hearing in 2005 and was ordered to receive outpatient mental health care, but never received treatment.
Attorney General Bob McDonnell's office had no comment on the settlement, spokesman Tucker Martin said.
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