INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana attorney general’s office sent out $6 million in checks Thursday to 59 victims of 2011’s deadly Indiana State Fair stage collapse.
The payments bring to $11 million the amount the state has paid to stage collapse victims. It had already paid $5 million, the limit for tort claims under Indiana law.
Attorney General Greg Zoeller announced the payments at a Statehouse news conference, saying the second round of checks would take care of medical expenses for victims whose injuries weren’t permanent. The state also has covered medical expenses through Nov. 15, 2011 for those who were paralyzed or have injuries that require ongoing care, said Special Deputy Attorney General Paul Mullin.
The Legislature also agreed to pay $700,000 to each of the estates of the seven people who died. So far, each estate has received $400,000.
Zoeller said the payments were appropriate “in light of all that the victims had to endure.”
The stage rigging collapsed in strong wind as people were waiting for the country duo Sugarland to perform at the Indiana State Fair.
Front Section, Pages 2 on 12/21/2012