Families of 911 Victims Win Airline Payout

It has been reported that five families who lost relatives in the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks have settled their negligence lawsuit against American Airlines, Boeing Co. and a passenger screening company.

The families had previously refused money from the Victim Compensation Fund, which was created by Congress to protect airlines from a barrage of litigation. They have claimed they turned the money down so they could pursue the lawsuit and highlight airport security failures.

The amount of compensation the families were awarded is confidential but “substantial” said Keith Franz, a lawyer who represents four Maryland families who lost relatives at the pentagon.

“The families feel completely vindicated by their decision,” he added.

The settlement also includes two women who were injured at the Pentagon and the relatives of a woman killed at the World Trade Center.

Christine K. Fisher, whose husband was killed in the Pentagon has said,

“I felt like I was being lumped with everyone else by going with the (victim compensation) fund. We wanted answers that were not being provided.”

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