October 04 2007 - Sept. 11 families settle negligence suit

Five families who lost relatives in the 2001 terrorist attacks opted not to receive funds from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. Instead, these families chose to pursue law suits against various airlines on their own. Now, these families feel like they have been completely vindicated, as they have settled their negligence lawsuit against American Airlines, Boeing Co. and a passenger screening company.

The families refused the money from the Victim Compensation Fund, because they did not want to be lumped in with everyone else who was compensated by the federal government. Congress created the fund to protect airlines from a barrage of litigation, but the fund did not stop some families from seeking restitution on their own.

Families involved in the settlement wanted to seek compensation for their own pain and suffering, as well as highlight the widespread security problems of the airline industry. Although the amount of the financial settlement is confidential, it is most certainly substantial.

In addition to the families who lost relatives from the attacks on September 11th, the settlement also includes two women who were injured at the Pentagon, and the relatives of a woman killed at the World Trade Center.

There will be a news conference Wednesday at the National Press Club in Washington to announce the agreement.

The families filed a lawsuit in 2003 charging American Airlines, Boeing and Argenbright Security Inc., a contractor responsible for screening passengers on the hijacked flights, with negligence.

U.S. District Judge of the Southern District of New York must approve the settlement.

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