Operator News
US – MGM confirms landmark settlement of $735m for Route 91 victims
By Phil - 4 October 2019
Victims of the Route 91 Harvest shootings in 2017 in Las Vegas will receive a landmark settlement of between $735m and $800m from MGM Resorts, who owns Mandalay Bay Hotel, from where the gunman killed 58 people.
More than 800 people were injured at the country music festival at a venue across from the hotel, also owned by MGM. It is the single deadliest mass shooting committed by an individual in US history.
Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resort, said: “Our goal has always been to resolve these matters so our community and the victims and their families can move forward in the healing process. This agreement with the Plaintiffs’ Counsel is a major step, and one that we hoped for a long time would be possible. We have always believed that prolonged litigation around these matters is in no one’s best interest. It is our sincere hope that this agreement means that scenario will be avoided.”
“Today’s agreement marks a milestone in the recovery process for the victims of the horrifying events of 1 October,” said Robert Eglet, a lead Plaintiffs’ Counsel. “While nothing will be able to bring back the lives lost or undo the horrors so many suffered on that day, this settlement will provide fair compensation for thousands of victims and their families. MGM Resorts is a valued member of the Las Vegas community and this settlement represents good corporate citizenship on their part. We believe that the terms of this settlement represent the best outcome for our clients and will provide the greatest good for those impacted by these events.”
Under the Settlement Agreement, the parties will dismiss and release all pending litigation, including the Participating Claimants’ claims against MGM Resorts and additional parties named in those claims, and the declaratory-relief actions filed by MGM Resorts. The proposed settlement is not an admission of liability by MGM Resorts.
An independent Claims Administrator will be appointed by the court to allocate the settlement fund among the Participating Claimants. The settlement fund will be funded by MGM Resorts’ insurers with a minimum of $735m. As previously reported, MGM Resorts has insurance coverage of $751m.
