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Payout for Virginia Tech families
26/03/2008 07:26 - (SA)
Richmond - Families of those killed in the Virginia Tech massacre would receive $100 000 each under a settlement the state is proposing to prevent lawsuits, according to a victim's relative who received a copy of the proposal.
Medical and counselling expenses would be provided to the families of the 32 killed and dozens of surviving victims, said the person, who asked on Monday to remain anonymous because those involved were told not to discuss the settlement.
Families would also have the opportunity to question the governor and university officials about the shootings, according to the family member.
Families were asked to say by March 31 whether they were comfortable with the proposal. If they agree, they cannot sue the state government, including Virginia Tech.
Seung-Hui Cho, a mentally disturbed student, killed the 32 victims and wounded several others at Virginia Tech on April 16 before committing suicide.
Families may sue
At least 20 families have filed notice with the state that they may sue. They have until April 16 to make such filings.
Attorneys for families and officials in the governor's office did not immediately return calls to The Associated Press.
"My people are pretty unhappy with it, and I don't blame them," Edward Jazlowiecki, a lawyer for the family of slain student Henry Lee, told The Virginian-Pilot of Norfolk.
Jazlowiecki said Lee's family faults Virginia Tech for not warning those on campus sooner that a gunman may be loose.
Cho shot his first two victims in a dormitory just after 07:00, but university officials did not send an e-mail alert until more than two hours later - just before Cho killed 30 others in a classroom building across campus.
The proposal would require all claimants to agree and says the state can withdraw the proposal if not enough parties do, the family member said. Other relatives of victims declined to talk to the AP.
Reimbursement
In addition to the $100 000 payments, another $800 000 would be reserved for the injured, with a maximum of $100 000 to any person.
The proposal also would set up a fund to reimburse or advance expenses not covered by insurance for medical, psychological and psychiatric care for victims and their immediate families.
In October, the families and surviving victims received payments ranging from $11 500 to $208 000 from the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, set up in the days after the shootings to handle donations that poured into the Blacksburg school.
- AP
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