Minneapolis Bridge Collapse Plaintiffs Reach $48M Settlement with Engineering Firm

Survivors and families of victims killed in the 35-W bridge collapse in Minneapolis have reached a settlement of more than $48 million with the engineering company hired to evaluate the bridge’s structural integrity.

In a press release announcing the settlement, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi says it led a group of 17 law firms representing 103 clients in the case, and handled the litigation pro bono. MyFox9.com and the Associated Press say the plaintiffs will receive about $48.6 million, while the press release says they will get more than $40 million.

The defendant, URS Corp., will donate $1.5 million for a memorial for those who died and will reimburse insurers $2.2 million, putting the total settlement at more than $52 million. The state also appropriated $37 million for plaintiffs in 2008, and the construction company resurfacing the bridge settled with plaintiffs. MyFox9 says the construction company paid $10.15 million in a 2008 settlement, while AP says the settlement was reached last fall and the amount was undisclosed.

Thirteen people died in the August 2007 accident and 145 were injured.