News Digest
01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday July 14, 2009
Agreement said near on Station settlement
PROVIDENCE –– Lawyers involved in the Station nightclub fire lawsuit are close to agreement on a release form that the plaintiffs will have to fill out to receive money from the $176-million settlement offer.
During a status conference Monday in U.S. District Court plaintiffs’ lawyer Mark S. Mandell told Magistrate Judge David L. Martin that “it’s as close as we have ever been.”
Mandell said he thinks there may be an agreement, but “we’re just waiting for some last-minute feedback.” He expressed hope the parties will be able to report a definite agreement at the next status conference set for Aug. 11 at 10 a.m.
The Feb. 20, 2003, fire at the nightclub on Cowesett Avenue in West Warwick killed 100 people and injured more than 200 others. Sparks from pyrotechnics set off by the hard-rock group Great White ignited flammable foam that had been installed as soundproofing on the walls and ceiling by the club’s owners.
In March, Magistrate Judge Martin approved the proposed $176-million distribution plan.
–– Michael P. McKinney