Mediator Sets Rules For Aurora Shooting Victims
DENVER (AP/CBS4) — The families the 12 people killed and victims who suffered permanent, life-altering brain damage or paralysis in the July 20 shooting at an Aurora theater are likely to get about $175,000 each.
Those wounded by bullets or who suffered other injuries are expected to receive an amount based on the length of their hospital stays. There were 58 people injured in the attack.
Mediator Kenneth Feinberg met with the victims Thursday and has another meeting scheduled Friday to discuss how $5 million in donations to victims and their families should be distributed.
Some victims have complained that not everyone is getting the money they need to deal with the tragedy.
Former University of Colorado-Denver graduate student James Holmes is charged with launching the attack.
Feinberg oversaw compensation for victims of 9/11, the Virginia Tech shooting and the BP Oil spill.
He said the Aurora case carries with it a particular challenge.
"There's only a very limited amount of money. How should the money be distributed? Who gets what? Should we take the bulk of $5 million? That's all there is. Give it to the families of the dead, of the seriously injured? Of the physically injured? Of those who were in the theater but suffered no injury?" said Feinberg.
Feinberg said the most important thing is to allocate the money available in the most efficient, effective way possible. To do that he'll be listening to the families themselves to hear what they say.
Feinberg is handling the case pro bono.
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