Virginia Tech Massacre Settlement – The Fierberg National Law Group, PLLC

Historic Settlement Reached for Virginia Tech Massacre Victims

Reviewed by

Bailor Bell

Case Details

Who: The case involves victims and families affected by the April 16, 2007 mass shooting at Virginia Tech, represented by The Fierberg National Law Group, in claims brought against the Commonwealth of Virginia and Virginia Tech for failures that contributed to the tragedy.

What Happened: A settlement was reached with the Commonwealth of Virginia and Virginia Tech to bring closure to one portion of the devastating tragedy suffered by our clients and many others. Negotiations spanned many weeks and involved a complex agreement with numerous terms and conditions.

Following the settlement, our firm released information uncovered through its investigation. This information shed new light on how the tragedy unfolded and revealed failures by Virginia Tech and its most senior officials to protect students and families or to fully and accurately report critical information to the public in the aftermath.

A panel appointed by Governor Tim Kaine later concluded that Virginia Tech failed to provide accurate and timely information to students and faculty that could have allowed them to take steps to protect themselves.

Results

The settlement created an $11+ million total settlement fund for victims and families impacted by the tragedy. It ensured that seriously injured victims received compensation and lifetime care for their ongoing medical needs, while families who lost loved ones were also financially compensated and supported through the agreement.

No amount of compensation could ever offset or reduce the pain these families will endure for the rest of their lives. To suggest otherwise would defy logic.

Impact

The conclusions reached by the Governor’s panel remain true today, and our clients continue to live with the lifelong consequences of these failures and errors in judgment.

Through the settlement, a Charitable Purpose Fund was established with the goal of creating meaningful change. We hope that the lessons learned, combined with increased public awareness of how this tragedy could have been prevented, will lead to necessary reforms and help spare others from similar harm in the future.

Our hearts remain with the victims and their families, whose courage and advocacy continue to drive accountability and change.