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Roanoke, Virginia: Most families of victims of the mass shootings at Virginia Tech that left 33 people dead have agreed to an $11 million (Dh40.4 million) state settlement that will compensate families who lost loved ones, pay survivors' medical costs and avoid a court battle over whether anyone besides the gunman was to blame.
Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine said on Thursday a "substantial majority" of families of victims of the shootings agreed to the settlement.
Peter Grenier and Douglas Fierberg, who represent 21 families, said the settlement was worth more than $11 million, but neither they nor the governor would discuss its terms until final papers are drawn in a few days.
Fair balance of interests
Grenier and Fierberg said seriously injured victims "will be well compensated and have their health care needs taken care of forever," and that families who lost loved ones would be "similarly compensated and cared for."
"We want to make sure the settlement is fiscally responsible for the commonwealth," Kaine said, "but it's kind of a fair balance of a variety of interests."
Kaine called the agreement "very positive," but noted that families who have not agreed to it still could file suit. Notice must be filed by April 16.
"I am very proud of the families who, like us, are going to move forward and get this behind us," Holly Sherman, whose daughter Leslie was killed, said in an e-mail. "Words cannot do justice to the feelings I have this week and next week will be harder to describe. What I can say is that the outpouring of love and support from the families, to each other, is something that is truly noteworthy. We are forever bonded."
Seung-Hui Cho, a mentally disturbed student, killed 32 victims and wounded two dozen others at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, before committing suicide. Forty families had previously filed notice with the state that they may sue.
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