More money granted to collapse victims

INDIANAPOLIS (WANE) -- Victims of the Indiana State Fair stage-rigging collapse can apply starting next week for an additional $13.2 million, Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced Friday.

The funding available to State Fair claimants includes $6 million in supplemental state compensation the Indiana General Assembly approved, plus another $7.2 million in private money that two companies named as defendants in State Fair-related lawsuits are offering at the Attorney General’s request.

The private funds will be paid out upon collective support among the claimants and state funds will be paid out by the end of the year pursuant to state law.

According to the Attorney General’s office, all claimants who filed tort claim notices last fall in the state’s earlier $5 million settlement phase are allowed to apply for supplemental funds under this additional round.

The Legislature passed a new law allocating $6 million in new public money to the physically injured claimants only and directing how it will be distributed. Both physically injured and non-physically injured claimants also can apply for a share of the separate $7.2 million in private funds. Even those claimants not eligible for the original settlement last fall might qualify for a portion of the private money this time, though it will be up to an arbitration panel to decide whether they receive any payment or not.

The $7.2 million in private funds is offered by two defendants named in some claimants’ lawsuits related to the stage-rigging collapse. Mid-America Sound Corporation and James Thomas Engineering Inc. are making the money available to claimants who elect to participate in this supplemental process.

The Attorney General’s efforts to secure participation from the defendants resulted in the $7.2 million full commitment of available funds from the two companies in order to speed financial relief to victims and make a broader group of claimants potentially eligible for private funds. Other defendants have been invited to participate in efforts to expand the scope of the supplement payment process.

“This is about putting the victims first. The state's role to assist victims of the State Fair tragedy did not end when we paid out the original $5 million maximum from the tort claim fund in December. We know that claimants need additional financial help now and they can’t wait for years, so with the Legislature’s support and direction we designed a process where they can tap into additional funds. We want to provide these supplemental dollars in a prompt, equitable and respectful manner,” Zoeller said.

“This public-private partnership to speed up compensation to victims of the State Fair tragedy is totally consistent with the core Hoosier value of helping neighbors in need in an expeditious way. When we in the Indiana General Assembly added $6 million in state money, we set guidelines for how it shall be distributed. In carrying out that assignment, the Attorney General has successfully more than doubled the available relief to the victims, without adding red tape,” said State Senator Luke Kenley.

Kenley, R-Noblesville, is chair of the Senate Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee and is one of the architects of the supplemental compensation legislation.

All claimants who want to participate in the additional compensation – both public and private dollars – must sign a form releasing Mid-America and James Thomas Engineering from any liability and releasing the state from any legal obligations. Claimants who accept these settlements still are able to pursue any litigation against various other private defendants stemming from the stage-rigging collapse.

To obtain funds, claimants must complete and return by July 13, a new release form, and a supplemental application, listing their insurance coverage information, out-of-pocket costs, lost wages and other expenses and damages.

The Attorney General’s Office plans to send letters with instructions to claimants starting next week.