The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

A federal judge has recently approved settlements for more than 300 plaintiffs in a lawsuit filed after a fire killed 100 spectators and injured more than 200 others at a 2003 Great White show in Rhode Island. The fire started when a pyrotechnics display caused foam soundproofing covering the club's walls to catch fire. The club burned in minutes.

The settlement, totaling approximately $176 million, will be disbursed to people injured in the fire as well as surviving family members of the wrongful death victims. The judge also approved the creation of a trust which will distribute money to the victims.

The defendants have two to three months to place the settlement money in the trust. Once deposited, the trust administrator has another two to three months to start issuing checks to the victims.

The minimum payout to victims is $25,000, while some people may receive multimillion dollar settlements. There were 41 children under the age of 18 who lost parents in the fire. Each one will receive approximately $202,000 from their wrongful death claim.

The experienced wrongful death attorneys at The Cochran Firm can help you receive the compensation you deserve if you have lost a loved one due to the negligent actions of another. Please contact us today to schedule your free initial consultation. We serve clients nationwide.