The families of most of the victims of the Virginia Tech shooting last April have agreed to accept a settlement offer from the state, their lawyers and Gov. Tim Kaine said Thursday, six days before the massacre’s anniversary.
“A proposal for resolution has now been accepted by a substantial majority of the victims and victims’ families,” Kaine said. “At this time, details will remain confidential as the parties move forward to finalize and formalize their agreement.”
Peter Grenier, whose law firm represents 21 families, said the deal — intended to prevent lawsuits against the state — includes more than $11 million in financial compensation, health benefits and nonmonetary assistance for surviving family members and victims of the tragic event.
The seriously injured will have their health care needs “taken care of forever,” he said.
Neither Grenier nor Kaine would further discuss the terms of the settlement.
It was not clear if the deal was the same as one proposed by the state last month.
According to an early copy of that agreement, the families of the 32 people killed by student gunman Seung-Hui Cho each would receive $100,000.
Another $800,000 would be set aside for the injured, with a $100,000 cap per person. The injured and the families of those killed also could seek additional money from a $1.75 million hardship fund.
By accepting the agreement, the families give up their right to sue the state, the school, the local governments and the mental health community services board.
Cho had been ordered to receive mental health care in 2005 but never did.
Cho killed two students in a dormitory, then killed another 30 more than two hours later in a classroom building before taking his own life. University officials have beencriticized 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 settlement will also result in the release of previously undisclosed facts and information turned up by our firm’s investigation that will enable the public to better understand the events which caused this senseless tragedy and why this settlement with Virginia has been reached,” Grenier said.
In October, the injured and the families of the victims each received between $11,500 and $208,000 in payments from a memorial fund fed by donations.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
