Associated Press
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press
MINNEAPOLIS — About 100 people were hurt in the Minneapolis bridge collapse, ranging from those who had cuts and bruises to people who needed extensive surgeries and rehabilitation.
A group of Twin Cities attorneys is exploring a lawsuit for some of these people. Meanwhile, state lawmakers are considering a fund to cover medical costs, economic losses and pain and suffering for survivors and for the families of the 13 people killed.
The total medical costs aren’t known. Rep. Ryan Winkler, a Democrat from St. Louis Park, who plans to introduce a bill for the compensation fund, gave an early estimate of $5 million to $15 million. Most of that comes from perhaps a dozen of the most severely injured, Winkler said.
The compensation fund is envisioned as similar to one created after the Sept. 11 attacks, with a special master deciding payouts. Bridge victims who accepted a payout would waive their right to sue the state.