Minn. Bridge Collapse Funds Flow

Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced that the amount available in near-term relief for victims of the I-35W bridge collapse is increasing from $10,000 to $20,000 per claimant. The increase is based on the amount of funds available after initial claims were processed. In November, the Governor and the co-chairs of the Joint House-Senate Subcommittee on Claims, Senator Ron Latz (DFL-St. Louis Park) and Rep. Dennis Ozment (R-Rosemount), announced the availability of up to $1 million in existing state tort claim funds to individuals who lost wages as a result of the collapse of the I-35W Bridge on Aug. 1, 2007. Spouses of those killed in the collapse are also eligible to apply for funds. More than $70,000 from the “I-35W Emergency Hardship Relief Fund” has been paid to 13 claimants, four of whom received the previous maximum of $10,000. Payments of $20,000 will now be available per claimant and will continue to be based on lost wages due to physical injury or death. The Governor’s Office and legislators continue to work on a plan for consideration during the 2008 legislative session to create a special victims fund that would provide additional support for victims of the bridge collapse and their families. Individuals seeking funds from “I-35W Emergency Hardship Relief Fund” have been and will use the existing claims process that involves the Department of Administration’s Risk Management Division and their claims adjusters to process claims. The Risk Management Division is notifying victims regarding the increased amount. Payments from the I-35W Emergency Hardship Relief Fund would not be an admission of any liability and would not be admissible in any adjudicatory proceeding. Payments would be offset against any future recovery from the State.