Las Vegas Victims’ Fund to begin distributing $31 million to shooting victims
The organization responsible for collecting and doling out money to the victims of the mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip in October announced Friday that it has collected more than $31 million and will begin distribution of those funds on Monday.
The families of the 58 people who died in the shooting and the 10 people who are suffering from permanent paralysis and permanent brain damage as a result of the shooting will receive $275,000 each from the Las Vegas Victims’ Fund. Those who were hospitalized will receive amounts awarded on a sliding scale based on the number of days in the hospital: Fourteen people who were hospitalized for 24 days will receive $200,000 each; nine hospitalized 16 to 23 days will receive $150,000; 15 hospitalized for 8 to 15 days will receive $100,000; 77 hospitalized for two to seven days will receive $52,500; and 32 hospitalized for one day will receive $17,500.
Up to 317 people who were physically injured but treated in an outpatient setting will share the remaining $2,518,294, or about $7,900 each depending how many claims are approved.
The $31.4 million in total contributions collected by the fund came from more than 90,000 donors locally, nationally and internationally, with 40 percent of the total amount donated by the Southern Nevada gaming industry. The Vegas Strong Fund, established by some of the big-name casino companies, donated $5.2 million toward the victims’ fund, and MGM Resorts, which owns the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino where the gunman carried out his attack, contributed another $4 million individually.
Members of the community contributed in other ways to the fund, with Green Valley High School raising $66,000 through t-shirt sales, Allegiant Air’s employees and management team contributing $362,000 in paid leave and matching funds, Zappos’ matching contributions of more than $1 million and a benefit concert at the T-Mobile Area raising $700,000.
The funds will be distributed among the 532 claimants starting Monday and will be completed by the end of the month. The number is double the claimants awarded after the Pulse shooting in Orlando, where 259 claimants shared about $30 million, and the Boston Marathon bombing, where 232 claimants shared more than $60 million.
The families of the three deceased individuals in the Boston Marathon bombing and the three people who were catastrophically injured either by a double amputation or permanent brain damage received $2.2 million each. In Orlando, the families of the 49 dead received $350,000; 37 survivors received between $65,000 and $300,000 depending on the number of nights they spent in the hospital; those treated in an outpatient setting received $35,000; and the 182 clubogers who were present at the time of the attack but escaped unharmed received $25,000.
Disclosure: MGM Resorts has has donated to The Nevada Independent. You can see a full list of donors here.