News & Notes | March 26 - The Princetonian

Virginia makes monetary offer to families of shooting victims

Families of students killed in the Virginia Tech massacre have until March 31 to decide if they will accept an offer of $100,000 each from the state, CNN reported yesterday. If the families agree, they will give up their right to sue the state, including Virginia Tech for negligence.

Families who accept the offer will still be able to question Virginia Gov. Timothy Kaine about ways of responding to the shootings. Families will also meet with senior Virginia Tech officials to discuss changes that have been made to the university since the shooting.

For victims who survived the attack, $800,000 has been set aside to cover any medical, psychological and psychiatric expenses that insurance will not cover. There is a limit of $100,000 per person.

More than 20 families have filed notice with the state that they might sue. Many families feel the school is liable for not taking more action after the gunman, Seung-Hui Cho, began his shooting spree.

The families and surviving victims received payments ranging from $11,500 to $208,000 from the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, set up soon after the shooting. The proposal on the table, if accepted, will keep the fund and continue to collect contributions for at least five more years.