Legal Pub takes this opportunity to encourage families of those killed in the Virginia Tech shootings to accept the proposed settlement. Seung-Hui Cho ruined a lot of young lives that fateful April 16, 2007 day. LINK However, the proposed settlement gives a chance to help facilitate closure. Families of those killed have apparently been offered $100,000 each under a settlement the state is proposing to prevent lawsuits. Medical and counseling expenses would be provided to the families of the 32 killed and dozens of surviving victims under the plan. Participants may not publicly discuss the proposal but the apparent terms of the settlement have leaked out to the press.
Families would also have the opportunity to discuss the shootings with Governor, Timothy M. Kaine and university officials. Families apparently have until March 31 to accept or reject the proposed settlement in exchange for waiving any possible suit against the state and Virginia Tech.
The state can withdraw the proposal if not enough parties family members agree to the settlement.
In addition to the $100,000 lump sum payments to each of the families of those killed, another $800,000 would be reserved for the injured for reimbursement of 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. The proposed settlement would keep the fund open to accept contributions for at least five more years.
Litigation is uncertain and quite frankly, it may be almost impossible to prove that the State and University were negligent back at that time. Now, for each subsequent case, the standard of care may grow more stringent. Legal Pub wishes the best to the families, faculty and the Governor.
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10 comments:
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Agreed!
$100,000 is not a lot of money.
Shell
I think I would take the settlement if I had lost a loved one and set up a scholorship fund in the name of my loved one and give an annual scholorship in the name of my loved one. This way I would forever keep them a part of VT/
100,000 is better then nothing. I agree with the above, set up a scholar ship to perpetuate the name of your child so that he or she will never be forgotten! :)
You are right on on this one, Legal Pub. Take the money, get some closure, and do something your kid would be proud of with the money!
It was an awful tragedy, but VaTech had no way of knowing that some knuckleheads had guns on their campus. Furthermore VTU did not know someone might actually use the guns someday!
Unfortunately, we've turned into a society whose goal is to wait around for something bad to happen to us so that we too may litigate ourselves to prosperity!
That Dollar Bill guy who posts here is right too much of the time!
It is hard to let go...
I think it's a fair settlement. It's certainly not about the value of the lives lost - each is precious beyond measure for grieving families and friends.
But 100k is fair. I don't think VaTech acted irresponsibly, or negligently - I don't think they had any way of knowing about (or preventing) the horror unleashed by a madman.
I worry about the attitude (not saying it's the case with the Tech families) that because something unspeakably horrible happens, I deserve a huge financial settlement. Tragic things happen in life, randomly, without negligence or fault involved. Doesn't mean it's ok to look around and find someone who has to pay for it.
Time to let go!
Easier said then done!
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