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Payouts From Aurora Victim Fund Finalized

Algr

Payment decisions are complete and the victims of the Aurora theater shooting will receive money in the coming days. The Aurora Victim Relief Fund has collected $5,338,360.32 between when the mass shooting occurred on July 20 and the deadline to donate, Nov. 15.

The Aurora Victim Relief Fund was established in the wake of the mass shooting in partnership with Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and Community First Foundation. This Fund is being used to address the immediate and long-term needs of the Aurora theater shooting victims and their families.

Community First Foundation did not take any administration fees to manage the fund. Additionally, Community First Foundation paid all credit card fees for online donations; 100 percent of every donation went to the fund.

In late August, family members of victims of the Aurora Theater shooting said that funds weren't being distributed quickly enough. Additionally, the family members said that the victims didn't have any say in the process.

The families of the 12 people killed along with 5 victims who suffered permanent brain damage or permanent physical paralysis will receive 70 percent of the final fund balance amounting to about $220,000 each.

The remaining 30 percent of the fund will go to the victims who suffered physical injuries and the disbursements are based on the amount of time spent in the hospital.

  • 6 people who were hospitalized for 20 days or more will each receive $160,000
  • 2 people who were hospitalized between 8 and 19 days will each receive $91,680
  • 13 people who were hospitalized between 1 and 7 days will each receive $35,000

Claims were ultimately approved for 38 people and denied for 19. According to Aurora Victim Fund officials, due to the limited amount of money in the fund, victims who did not require overnight hospitalization and claims for mental trauma cannot be compensated.

“These payments won’t replace loved ones who died or completely heal all wounds. But through the generosity of others we hope victims and their families can use this money to continue their recovery. We are especially grateful to Ken Feinberg and Community First Foundation for their efforts to handle and distribute the fund,” said Gov. John Hickenlooper in a statement.

Ken Feinberg servedas Special Master of the Aurora Victim Fund per the Governor’s request.  Feinberg did not receive payment of any fees or expenses while assisting with the Aurora Victim Relief Fund. Feinberg previously served as the Special Master of the Federal September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001.

A final report about the Aurora Victim Relief Fund will be released in December.

My journalism career started in college when I worked as a reporter and Weekend Edition host for WEKU-FM, an NPR member station in Richmond, KY. I graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a B.A. in broadcast journalism.
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