Florida Condo Collapse Victims and Families to Receive At Least $150 Million Compensation, Judge Rules

A judge ruled on Wednesday that the victims of the Florida condo collapse and their families would initially receive at least $150 million in compensation.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Hanzman announced the ruling at a hearing on Wednesday, July 21, Associated Press reported.

According to USA Today, the $150 million compensation will be composed of the $50 million insurance money and at least $100 million from the sale of the collapsed building site.

"The court's concern has always been the victim's here," said Hanzman as he stressed that the rights of the victims in the June 24 tragedy would always be protected.

Hanzman noted that the $150 million compensation would not include the proceeds of the lawsuits filed in the wake of the nearly 100 victims of the Florida condo collapse.

The Florida judge noted that the said lawsuits would be "consolidated" as one or single class action that would cover all the victims and family members.

"This is not a case where we have time to let grass grow underneath it," said Hanzman, emphasizing his main concern of speedy compensation among the victims and their families.

Florida Condo Collapse Site Almost Cleared

Hanzman's ruling came as the site of the Florida condo collapse was almost cleared. Miami-Dade County mayor Daniella Levine Cava said the rubbles on the site were relocated to an "evidentiary collection site" near the airport.

The Miami-Dade mayor noted that a thorough search would continue with "enormous care and diligence." Daily Mail reported that the pile of debris at the site was removed, and only a few walls and support beams remained to protrude on the ground.

According to Levine Cava, more than 26 million pounds of rubbles were removed as the rescue crews maintain their work sifting through the debris. However, the mayor noted that the enormous pressure of the weight of the collapse and the passage of time make the operations more challenging.

During the hearing, Hanzman said that he heard arguments over what the site's future should be, USA Today reported. The outlet noted that some unit owners advocated for a memorial site, while others wanted the building to be rebuilt.

Hanzman said if it's going to be a memorial site, residents and owners would not be expected to donate the land for the memorial. Instead, they should be compensated at fair market value, he noted.

Lawyer Michael Goldberg noted that the rubble would be stored in a Miami-area warehouse, with the rest in nearby vacant lots, to serve as key evidence to the lawsuits and for other experts to review.

Florida Condo Collapse: 97 Victims Identified

The clearing of debris at the site of the Florida condo collapse happened as 97 victims of the tragedy were identified by authorities.

According to Daily Mail, the death toll remains at 97 as of Wednesday, July 21, with one more individual remained missing. The two latest victims were identified as Linda March and Anastasia Gromova.

Gromova, a Canadian, was reported to be a 24-year-old newly accepted English teacher in Japan and was in Florida to visit a friend.

"What's happening now is that the first responders are conducting additional searches of the debris at the collection site," said an unidentified county spokesman.

The spokesman noted that the rescue crews at the Florida condo collapse would continue to "do everything that they can" to bring closure to the families of the victims.

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Written By: Joshua Summers

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