Jul 21, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Judge orders $150M in initial compensation for Surfside victims

Shawna Chen

Photo of people kneeling and praying at a memorial filled with flowers and plushies for victims of the Surfside collapse — People pray at the memorial to the victims of the collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building. Photo: Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images

A judge said Wednesday that victims and families who suffered losses in the collapse of the oceanfront condo in Surfside, Florida, are entitled to a minimum of $150 million in initial compensation, AP reports.

Catch up quick: The June 24 collapse killed at least 97 people and led to several lawsuits, per an NBC affiliate. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is leading a federal investigation into the structural failure.

Details: The $150 million covers insurance on the building and the expected proceeds from the sale of the now-collapsed property, Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Hanzman said at a Wednesday hearing. He added that victims include visitors and renters, not just condo owners.

"The court’s concern has always been the victims here," Hanzman said. "Their rights will be protected."
The sum does not include proceeds from the lawsuits filed since the collapse, which are being consolidated into one class action suit, per Hanzman.
"I have no doubt, no stone will be left unturned," Hanzman said.

The big picture: It remains unclear what led to the deadly collapse. Condo owners have differing opinions on what to do with the site, according to AP.

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Judge orders $150M in initial compensation for Surfside victims

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