PROVIDENCE (AP) -- Survivors of The Station nightclub fire and families
of the victims can apply for up to $25,000 from a state fund that helps
pay expenses of crime victims.
General Treasurer Paul Tavares on Monday said the fund can help pay
expenses not covered by insurance, such as lost wages, medical bills and
counseling expenses.
Last month's filing of criminal charges in the Feb. 20 fire allowed
survivors and victims' families to qualify for the fund, he said.
Involuntary manslaughter charges were filed against club owners Jeffrey
and Michael Derderian, and Dan Biechele, tour manager for the band Great
White, for the 100 who died.
Besides relatives of the dead, Tavares said an estimated 250 people
injured in the West Warwick blaze can also apply to the fund. One claim
for each victim is allowed, he said.
Tavares' office projects claims related to the fire could total more
than $8.75 million.
Unlike the Sept. 11 Victim Compensation Fund, which Congress created
after the 2001 terrorist attacks to protect the airlines from lawsuits,
families who draw money from The Station fire fund do not give up their
right to sue.
The state is seeking a $6.65-million federal grant to help pay for
anticipated claims. If the federal-grant request is not approved,
Tavares said the General Assembly will have to approve spending to cover
the anticipated claims.
The fund annually dispenses about $1 million. The federal government
typically covers roughly half the payments, with the rest paid from
court fines and fees.
With Journal staff reports
