WASHINGTON – Virginia officials are working to reach a settlement for the victims’ families for the April 16, 2007 shooting at Virginia Tech in order to avoid litigation, according to CNN.
Gov. Tim Kaine said officials are looking at options that would do more than compensate the families; however, until the families make their final decisions, the settlement discussions will not be disclosed.
Some of the issues being discussed involve the sovereign immunity doctrine, which puts limits on suing the government. Several unnamed relatives said they have been offered sums up to $100,000 if they agree not to take the state or the university to court. The deadline to approve the settlement was extended from March 31 to April 7.
In September 2007, the Washington-based law firm Bode & Grenier became the representatives for relatives of at least seven victims. The firm specializes in high-profile wrongful-death suits.
Attorney Peter Grenier said the family members are seeking to pursue a negligence-based, wrongful-death claim aimed at the state of Virginia on behalf of victims Matthew Gwaltney, Caitlin Hammaren, Juan Ortiz, Reema Samaha, Nicole White, Brian Hluhm and Michael Pohle.
