Compensation plan signed into law (new law)

Relief is on the way for survivors and victims of the Interstate 35W bridge collapse with the May 8 signing of a $38 million compensation plan.

A product of lengthy negotiations between the House and Senate, the plan removes the state’s aggregate cap of $1 million per incident, preserves the existing individual tort liability caps and provides additional aid to survivors with extraordinary medical expenses or wage losses.

The bridge over the Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed Aug. 1, 2007, killing 13 people and injuring 85 others.

Acknowledging that the bridge collapse was an incident of historic and catastrophic proportions, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the compensation plan is “one step in what has been a long and difficult process” for survivors of the tragedy and those who have lost loved ones.

Included in the package is:

• $24 million to be distributed within the existing liability cap structure that limits individual payments to $400,000;

• $12.64 million to compensate those who have uncompensated medical expenses and wage loss in excess of $400,000;

• $750,000 set aside for administrative purposes; and

• a $610,000 grant to Pillsbury United Communities that will allow Waite House in Minneapolis to provide services to youth and families of youth who were in a school bus on the bridge when it collapsed.

“This is in the best tradition of Minnesota’s unique community spirit,” said Rep. Ryan Winkler (DFL-Golden Valley), who sponsors the law with Sen. Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park). According to Latz, the law “fulfills the moral obligation of Minnesotans to help the survivors and the families of those who died on the bridge.”

In return for accepting compensation, survivors will release the state from further liability. If they choose not to accept compensation, they can pursue a lawsuit against the state that would be subject to all existing statutory terms and conditions.

“This reinforces our belief in the state of Minnesota to do the right thing,” said Ron Engebretsen, speaking on behalf of the survivors and families. He lost his wife, Sherry, in the collapse.

HF2553*/SF2824/CH288