Florida lawyers awarded $70M in deadly Champlain Towers collapse
Brian Niemietz
Attorneys with the 17 law firms who brokered the $1.1 billion settlement between Florida’s Champlain Towers and victims of its deadly 2021 collapse were awarded $70 million in fees Monday.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Hanzma expressed satisfaction that the families of the 98 people killed in last summer’s tragedy were “in essence being made whole.”
Names of the victims of the Champlain Towers South condo collapse are written on a screen surrounding the vacant lot where the 12-story building once stood in Surfside, Florida.
Names of the victims of the Champlain Towers South condo collapse are written on a screen surrounding the vacant lot where the 12-story building once stood in Surfside, Florida. (Joe Raedle/)
Despite reducing the $100 million in fees lawyers in the case had requested, the judge acknowledged attorneys who worked the “remarkable” case did so quickly and effectively, which should be rewarded within reason.
“If things had not turned out well, they (attorneys) would have walked away with nothing,” Hanzma said.
Settlement money will be doled out by more than three dozens parties affiliated with 12-floor Surfside property that collapsed in the early hours of June 24, 2021. That included insurers, engineers firms and a neighboring condominium building whose construction may have compromised Champlain Towers’ structural integrity.
A developer from Dubai paid $120 billion for the 1.8-acre beachside site where the ill-fated condo complex once stood. That was a factor into the settlements, which did not require any admissions of wrongdoing. Compensatory payments are expected to begin in coming weeks.
Marin Langerfeld’s husband and sister died in the building’s collapse.
Keili Cruz walks past the empty lot where the collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building once stood on July 27, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. Search and recovery efforts came to an end as police identified the final missing victim from the condo collapse. A total of 98 people died when the building partially collapsed on June 24, 2021.
Fire department tape keeps people out of the empty lot where the collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building once stood on July 27, 2021, in Surfside, Florida. The search and recovery efforts came to an end as police identified the final missing victim from the condo collapse. A total of 98 people died when the building partially collapsed on June 24, 2021.
Peter Martin, of New York, who was in Miami visiting his brother, pays his respects at a makeshift memorial for the victims of the Champlain Towers South building collapse on Monday, July 12, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Wooden hearts with the names of victims are erected alongside the photos, flowers and other memorial items as visitors walk through the memorial site. 90 people have been confirmed dead due to the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Fla. on Sunday, July 11, 2021.
Construction equipment is used to dig through the mound of debris from the collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building is seen through fencing on July 11, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. The death toll from the collapse has risen to 90 people as the recovery operations enter its 18th day.
Rescue workers board a bus after a day's work at the collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building on July 11, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Members of the South Florida Urban Search and Rescue (FL-TF2) walk between the Miami-Dade County operation and media centers during the morning press conference on Sunday, July 11, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. Miami-Dade and Surfside mayors updated the media on the overnight and daily operational details after the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South.
Excavators dig through the pile of debris from the collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building on July 11, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
A memorial site for the collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building on July 11, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
A member of the Israeli search and rescue team, left, salutes in front of the rubble that once was Champlain Towers South during a prayer ceremony on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. Members of search and rescue teams and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, along with police and workers who have been working at the site of the collapse gathered for a moment of prayer and silence next to the collapsed tower.
Members of a search and rescue team stand in front of the rubble that once was Champlain Towers South during a prayer ceremony in Surfside, Fla. on Wednesday, July 7, 2021.
A search and rescue team members dig through the rubble of the Champlain Towers South condo on Wednesday, July 7, 2021.
Momentos and flowers are seen displayed at the Surfside Wall of Hope & Memorial on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, for those who died during the collapse of the 12-story oceanfront condo, Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Fla.
A search and rescue team member moves through the debris field of the 12-story oceanfront condo, Champlain Towers South, in Surfside, Fla. on Wednesday, July 7, 2021.
Large sections of concrete are transported from the debris field of the 12-story oceanfront condo, Champlain Towers South, in Surfside, Fla. on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. No one has been rescued alive from the site since the first hours after the building collapsed on June 24 when many of its residents were asleep.
Miami-Dade police officers helping with the search and rescue stand near the completely collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South on July 6, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. The portion of the building left standing after the deadly June 24 collapse was demolished Sunday night ahead of the approach of Tropical Storm Elsa.
A bulldozer is parked next to the rubble of the collapsed building Champlain tower in Surfside, Fla on July 6, 2021.
The rubble of the collapsed building Champlain tower is seen in Surfside, Fla on July 6, 2021. Rescuers raced to search the site of a deadly condo tower collapse in Florida as Tropical Storm Elsa barreled closer, threatening the operation with torrential downpours and strong winds. The death toll from the June 24 disaster in Surfside rose overnight to 32 as search teams found four more bodies in the rubble, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters.
Members of the media photograph the collapsed and demolished Champlain Towers South condominium building, Tuesday, July 6, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Members of the Pennsylvania Search and Rescue team search for victims at a collapsed South Florida condo building Monday, July 5, 2021, in Surfside, Fla., after demolition crews set off a string of explosives that brought down the last of the Champlain Towers South building in a plume of dust on Sunday.
Rescue workers lift a tarp containing recovered remains at the site of the collapsed Champlain Towers South condo building, Monday, July 5, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. The remaining structure was demolished Sunday, which partially collapsed on June 24. Many people remain unaccounted for.
Members of the Pennsylvania Search and Rescue team comb through the debris for victims at a collapsed South Florida condo building Monday, July 5, 2021, in Surfside, Fla., after demolition crews set off a string of explosives that brought down the last of the Champlain Towers South building in a plume of dust on Sunday in Surfside, Fla.
Rescue crews work at the site of the collapsed Champlain Towers South condo building after the remaining structure was demolished Sunday, in Surfside, Fla., Monday, July 5, 2021. Many people are unaccounted for in the rubble of the building which partially collapsed on June 24.
Rescuers search for victims at a collapsed South Florida condo building Monday, July 5, 2021, in Surfside, Fla., after demolition crews set off a string of explosives that brought down the last of the Champlain Towers South building in a plume of dust on Sunday.
Rescuers search for victims at a collapsed South Florida condo building Monday, July 5, 2021, in Surfside, Fla., after demolition crews set off a string of explosives that brought down the last of the Champlain Towers South building in a plume of dust on Sunday.
The remaining structure of the Champlain Towers South condo building is demolished more than a week after it partially collapsed, late Sunday, July 4, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Demolition teams bring down the unstable remainder of the Champlain Towers South condo building, late Sunday, July 4, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. The work to demolish the remains had suspended the search-and-rescue mission, but officials said Sunday it should eventually open up new areas for rescue teams to explore.
The remaining structure of the Champlain Towers South condo building is demolished more than a week after it partially collapsed, late Sunday, July 4, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
The damaged remaining structure at the Champlain Towers South condo building collapses in a controlled demolition, Sunday, July 4, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. The decision to demolish the Surfside building came after concerns mounted that the damaged structure was at risk of falling, endangering the crews below and preventing them from operating in some areas.
Demolition teams bring down the unstable remainder of the Champlain Towers South condo building, late Sunday, July 4, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Workers are on the site of the Champlain Towers South condo building, where scores of victims remain missing more than a week after it partially collapsed, Sunday, July 4, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. Demolition teams are preparing to bring down the unstable remainder of the structure ahead of a tropical storm.
Members of the Florida Task Force 8 gather at the memorial site to pin an autograph shirt signed by team members on Sunday, July 4, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. Demolition specialists carefully bored holes to insert explosive charges into the precarious, still-standing portion of a collapsed South Florida condo building that will come down to open up new areas for rescue teams to search. A top Miami-Dade fire official said 80% of the drilling work was complete and the remaining structure could come down as soon as Sunday night.
Search and rescue workers leave the site of the partially collapsed Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Fla., Sunday, July 4, 2021. Demolition specialists carefully bored holes Sunday to insert explosive charges into the precarious, still-standing portion of a collapsed South Florida condo building that will come down to open up new areas for rescue teams to search. Eighty percent of the drilling work was complete, and the remaining structure could come down as soon as Sunday night, Miami-Dade Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah told relatives of those missing in the collapse.
Daniela Valido, left, Daphnie Lucero, center, and Rebeca Salazal, right, stop at a makeshift memorial near the site of the partially collapsed South Florida condo building, Champlain Towers South, in Surfside, Fla., Sunday, July 4, 2021.
Hialeah resident Alison Kairuz, right, bows her head in prayer after pinning her hand-made sign to the fence in support of families and friends who lost love ones at the memorial site for victims of the partially collapsed South Florida condo building Champlain Towers South, in Surfside, Fla., Sunday, July 4, 2021.
A search and rescue team from New Jersey walks near the Champlain Towers South condo building, where scores of victims remain missing more than a week after it partially collapsed, Sunday, July 4, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, right, and his wife Casey tour a makeshift memorial near the Champlain Towers South condo building, where scores of victims remain missing more than a week after it partially collapsed, Saturday, July 3, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Personal belongings dangle from inside the partially collapsed Champlain Towers South Condo building in Surfside, Fla. on Saturday, July 3, 2021.
Rescue teams use jack hammers to chip through debris and rubble as they continue to look for survivors at the partially-collapsed Champlain Towers South Condo building in Surfside, Fla. on Saturday, July 3, 2021.
Search and rescue personnel remove remains on a stretcher as they work atop the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condo building where scores of people remain missing more than a week after it partially collapsed, Friday, July 2, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Search and rescue personnel work atop the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condo building, where scores of victims remain missing more than a week after it partially collapsed, Friday, July 2, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Debris dangles from the remains of apartments sheared in half, in the still standing portion of the Champlain Towers South condo building, more than a week after it partially collapsed, Friday, July 2, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
In this July 2, 2021, photo, a dog aiding in the search walks past a team of Israeli search and rescue personnel, left, atop the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Fla.
Police watch search and rescue efforts from below the rubble pile at the Champlain Towers South condo building, where scores of people remain missing more than a week after it partially collapsed, Friday, July 2, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Search and rescue personnel work atop the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condo building, where scores of victims remain missing more than a week after it partially collapsed, Friday, July 2, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Furniture sits perched in the remains of apartments sheared in half in the still standing portion of the Champlain Towers South condo building, more than a week after it partially collapsed, Friday, July 2, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. Rescue efforts on the rubble pile below resumed Thursday evening after being halted for most of the day over concerns about the stability of the remaining structure.
Search and rescue personnel work atop the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condo building, where scores of victims remain missing more than a week after it partially collapsed, on Friday, July 2, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
In this July 1, 2021, photo, President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden visit the Surfside Wall of Hope & Memorial in Surfside, Fla. for the people missing after the condo tower that collapsed earlier in the week. The Bidens spent the day meeting with first responders, local and government officials and visiting with families who have been impacted by the collapse.
Search and rescue personnel search for survivors through the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo in Surfside, Fla. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. The apartment building partially collapsed on Thursday, June 24.
Search and rescue personnel work atop the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condo building, where scores of people remain missing almost a week after it partially collapsed, on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Search and rescue personnel search for survivors through the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo in Surfside, Fla. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
A crane prepares to remove a load of debris and household items as search and rescue personnel work atop the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condo building, where scores of people remain missing almost a week after it partially collapsed, on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Photographs of victims hang on a memorial wall along a fence near the site at the Champlain Towers South Condo in Surfside, Fla. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. The apartment building partially collapsed on Thursday, June 24.
An unidentified woman visits the memorial wall full of photos of the missing and messages of love, support and prayers at Harding Avenue and 86th Street as search and rescue personnel continue to look for survivors in the rubble of the Champlain Towers South Condo in Surfside, Fla. on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.
In this June 29, 2021, photo, mourners visit a makeshift memorial near the site of the collapsed condominium in Surfside, Fla. While hundreds of rescuers search desperately for survivors within the rubble of the collapsed condominium, a smaller cadre of mental health counselors are also deploying to help families and other loved ones cope with the tragedy.
Crews continue working at the site of the Champlain Towers South condo building collapse in Surfside, Fla. on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. The building collapsed early Thursday, trapping over 150 victims.
Search and rescue teams look for survivors at the Champlain Towers South residential condo on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. Many people were still unaccounted for after Thursday's fatal collapse.
Search and rescue teams look for survivors at the collapsed 12-story oceanfront condo, Champlain Towers South, on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Search and rescue teams look for survivors at the Champlain Towers South residential condo on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. Many people were still unaccounted for after Thursday's fatal collapse.
Rescue workers search in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condominium on Monday, June 28, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami. Many people are still unaccounted for after the building partially collapsed last Thursday.
Cranes work in the distance on the collapsed Champlain Towers South Condo in Surfside, Fla., near Miami, on Monday, June 28, 2021, after a rain shower early Monday morning.
Rubble is shown at the Champlain Towers South condominium on Monday, June 28, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami.
A memorial wall of flowers and photos grows at the intersection of 88th St. and Harding Ave. near the collapsed Champlain Towers South Condo in Surfside, Fla., near Miami, on Monday, June 28, 2021.
A shrine is set up outside St. Joseph Catholic Church in Surfside, Fla. on Monday, June 28, 2021, near the collapsed building for people still missing or dead.
Handwritten messages of support hang on a barricade at the intersection of 88th St. and Harding Ave. near the collapsed Champlain Towers South Condo in Surfside, Fla., near Miami, on Monday, June 28, 2021.
Rescue workers search in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condominium on Monday, June 28, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami. Many people are still unaccounted for after the building partially collapsed last Thursday.
Rescue workers search in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condominium on Monday, June 28, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami.
Rescue workers search in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condominium on Monday, June 28, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami.
A police officer stands guard at the intersection of 88th St. and Harding Ave. near the Champlain Towers South Condo in Surfside, Fla., near Miami, on Monday, June 28, 2021.
Workers search the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo on Monday, June 28, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Workers search in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. More than 150 people were still unaccounted for two days after Thursday's collapse, which killed at least nine.
A crane works at the site of the Champlain Towers South Condo building, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami. The apartment building partially collapsed on Thursday.
A South Florida Urban Search and Rescue team looks for survivors at the 12-story oceanfront condo, Champlain Towers South, Saturday, June 26, 2021.
Workers search in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. 159 people were still unaccounted for two days after Thursday's collapse, which killed at least four. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Rescue workers search in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condominium, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami. The building partially collapsed on Thursday.
People pray late Saturday, June 26, 2021, during a prayer vigil for the victims and families of the Champlain Towers collapsed building in Surfside, Fla., at the nearby St. Joseph Catholic Church in Miami Beach, Fla. Many people were still unaccounted for two days after Thursday's fatal collapse.
Flowers lie on the beach near the Champlain Towers South Condo building, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami. The apartment building partially collapsed on Thursday.
A jet ski rides by as rescue workers search in the rubble for survivors at the Champlain Towers South condominium, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami. The building partially collapsed on Thursday.
Workers search in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. 159 people were still unaccounted for two days after Thursday's collapse, which killed at least four.
South Florida Urban Search and Rescue team look for survivors at the 12-story oceanfront condo, Champlain Towers South, on Saturday, June 26, 2021, after it partially collapsed early Thursday morning in the Surfside area of Miami.
Workers search in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. One hundred fifty-nine people were still unaccounted for two days after Thursday's collapse, which killed at least four.
Rescue workers search in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. The apartment building collapsed on Thursday.
Rescue workers search in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condominium, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami. The building partially collapsed on Thursday.
Rescue workers search in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condominium, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami. The building partially collapsed on Thursday.
Workers search in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Leo Soto, who created this memorial with grocery stores donating flowers and candles, pauses in front of photos of some of the missing people that he put on a fence, near the site of an oceanfront condo building that partially collapsed in Surfside, Fla., Friday, June 25, 2021.
Photos of missing people are posted on a fence near the site of the Champlain Towers South Condo on Friday, June 25, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
A hanging chair sits on what is left of a balcony on a building that partially collapsed, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
A couple embrace as they wait for news of survivors from a condominium that collapsed, Thursday, June 24, 2021 in Surfside, Fla. Dozens of survivors were pulled out, and rescuers continue to look for more.
Firefighters unload a truck near the site where part of a 12-story beachfront condo building collapsed, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
A rescue worker walks among the rubble where a wing of a 12-story beachfront condo building collapsed, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami.
A firefighter fist bumps a survivor, after being pulled from the rubble of the Champlain Towers South Condo after the multistory building partially collapsed in Surfside, Fla., early Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Fire rescue personnel conduct a search and rescue with dogs through the rubble of the Champlain Towers South Condo after the multistory building partially collapsed in Surfside, Fla., Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Rescue workers look through the rubble where a wing of a 12-story beachfront condo building collapsed, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami.
Rescue workers walk among the rubble where part of a 12-story beachfront condo building collapsed, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
A front end loader shifts rubble mixed with furniture and household items, as rescue efforts continue where a wing of a 12-story beachfront condo building collapsed, late on Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami.
A Miami-Dade Fire Rescue team sprays water onto the rubble as rescue efforts continue where a wing of a 12-story beachfront condo building collapsed, late on Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami.
Rescue workers remove a body from the rubble where a wing of a 12-story beachfront condo building collapsed, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami.
Rubble hangs from a partially collapsed building in Surfside north of Miami Beach, on June 24, 2021.
Part of the 12-story oceanfront Champlain Towers South Condo, with more than 100 units on Collins Ave., collapsed around 2 a.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Part of the 12-story oceanfront Champlain Towers South Condo, with more than 100 units on Collins Ave., collapsed around 2 a.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Rubble hangs from a partially collapsed building in Surfside north of Miami Beach, on June 24, 2021.
Police tape blocks access to a partially collapsed building in Surfside north of Miami Beach, on June 24, 2021. A multi-story apartment block in Florida partially collapsed during early June 24, sparking a major emergency response.
Part of the 12-story oceanfront Champlain Towers South Condo, with more than 100 units on Collins Ave., collapsed around 2 a.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Part of the 12-story oceanfront Champlain Towers South Condo, with more than 100 units on Collins Ave., collapsed around 2 a.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Part of the 12-story oceanfront Champlain Towers South Condo, with more than 100 units on Collins Ave., collapsed around 2 a.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Part of the 12-story oceanfront Champlain Towers South Condo, with more than 100 units at 8777 Collins Ave., collapsed around 2 a.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2021.
Pieces of concrete and rebar dangle from balconies after a partial collapse, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Bunkbeds remain standing inside a partially collapsed 12-story beachfront condo, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
A line of emergency vehicles line the streets near the site of a partial building collapse, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Firefighters wait near the site of a partial building collapse, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
A man reacts as he waits for information after a partial building collapse, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
People wait for information after a partial building collapse, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Surfside, Fla.
Search and rescue personnel work in the rubble of the 12-story condo tower that partially collapsed on June 24, 2021 in Surfside, Florida.
First Responders rescue a resident from a partially collapsed residential building in Miami Beach, Florida, early June 24, 2021.
A partially collapsed building is seen early Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami, Fla.
A partial collapsed building is seen early Thursday, June 24, 2021, in Surfside area of Miami, Fla.
A section of a partially collapsed building is seen early Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami, Fla. A partial building collapse in Miami caused a massive response early Thursday from Miami Dade Fire Rescue, according to a tweet from the department's account. Miami Dade Fire Rescue is conducting search and rescue.
Firefighters search a partially collapsed building early Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami, Fla.
A partially collapsed building is seen early Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami, Fla.
A firefighter shines a flashlight at far left as they search a building after a partial collapse, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami, Fla.
Firefighters standby after a partial collapse of a building, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami, Fla.
Firefighters stand by after part of a building collapsed, Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami, Fla.
A partially collapsed building is seen early Thursday, June 24, 2021, in the Surfside area of Miami, Fla.
Firefighters rescue a survivor from the rubble of the Champlain Towers South Condo after the multistory building partially collapsed in Surfside, Fla., early Thursday, June 24, 2021.
“No one should be profiting from the death of 98 humans,” she told the Associated Press.
Harley Tropin, a lead attorney for the plaintiffs, said lawyers who worked the case would have been “satisfied with whatever was awarded” to them.
There has so far been no conclusion on the exact reason for the catastrophe.
