VTU Families Offered Settlement from Commonwealth

(U-WIRE) This story was compiled by Betsy Graves, The Cavalier Daily
Photo courtesy of Broadside

In an effort to head off future lawsuits stemming from the Virginia Tech shootings, the commonwealth has proposed a settlement available to all of the families of victims.

Each of the families has been offered a settlement of up to $100,000, in addition to medical and counseling expenses, if they give up their right to sue the commonwealth's government or Virginia Tech, according to Associated Press reports.

Families also would have the opportunity to meet with Virginia Tech officials and Gov. Tim Kaine to discuss legislation and campus policies related to the events of April 16, as well as to receive updates on the ongoing investigation from both campus and state police, according to the AP. Other features of the proposal include $800,000 reserved for the injured, with no more than $100,000 awarded to any individual, and the creation of a special damages fund to provide free medical, psychological and psychiatric care for victims and their immediate family members, according to the AP.

The families have until March 31 to accept the agreement and have been asked not to comment on the topic. State officials were also unable to comment, Attorney General spokesperson David Clementson said.

"Our office, along with the governor's office, has been in discussions with the families and their counsel for many months," he said. "In respect to the confidentiality agreement and the families, we will have no further comments."

Currently, more than 20 lawsuits related to the Virginia Tech shootings have been filed with the commonwealth, which offered the settlement to avoid future lawsuits, according to the AP. The families have until April 16 to file lawsuits unless they accept the settlement, AP sources said, as the date will mark the one-year anniversary of the shootings.