Medical cost ‘staggering’ after Las Vegas tragedy
VICTIMS of the Las Vegas shooting are facing mounting medical bills that could add up to in excess of $770 million, according to one expert who says the cost will be “beyond staggering”.
Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation expert Ted Miller told Newsweek the Las Vegas tragedy would likely cost more than $770 million in terms of medical bills, mental healthcare, physical therapy, loss of income and police work.
He said the figure was extremely difficult to calculate given the death toll could rise and many people would need ongoing medical care after the event.
“Indeed, many, many people who were not physically injured will be seeing a therapist, perhaps haunted by PTSD,” Mr Miller said.
Fifty-nine people including gunman Stephen Paddock were killed and at least 527 injured in last Sunday’s mass shooting that became the deadliest in recent US history.
Stories are emerging of victims who face mounting bills and are starting to wonder how they are going to meet escalating costs.
Jonathan Smith, 30, was hailed a hero after saving about 30 lives during the attack but was left with a bullet lodged in his neck.
Now after staring down Paddock, he faces huge medical bills.
His family has started a GoFundMe page saying the young father is unable to support his family because of the medical bills.
Gun violence is a costly epidemic in the US, with an annual bill of about
$3.6 billion in emergency department and inpatient charges.
Meanwhile, police have said the mystery woman seen with Paddock days before the massacre was a prostitute.
Investigators have not revealed the woman’s name.
“He was the only shooter; I’m confident of that,” based on surveillance cameras, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police spokesman Kevin McMahill told NBC News on Friday.
“I’m also confident that there were no other people in the room leading up to this event,” McMahill said.