$56M settlement offered
Fatal COVID victims’ estates to get at least $400G
A proposed $56M settlement with victims of the deadly COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home would deliver at least $400,000 to the estates of veterans killed in the tragedy, and $10,000 to those who caught the disease and survived.
“The COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home was a terrible tragedy. While we know nothing can bring back those who were lost, we hope that this settlement brings a sense of closure to the loved ones of the veterans,” said Gov. Charlie Baker.
The Baker Administration announced the settlement Thursday. The deal remains subject to approval by the federal judge in Boston where a class-action lawsuit remains pending.
The settlement will cover veterans who lived at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home at any time between March 1, 2020 and June 23, 2020 and who became ill or died from COVID during that period, according to Baker’s office.
The Holyoke Soldiers’ Home was at the center of one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks at a longterm care facility in the nation. At least 76 veterans died, and dozens of others including staff got sick with the disease.
According to the announcement from Baker’s office, the estates of deceased veterans would receive at least $400,000 in the settlement. Vets who contracted COVID and survived would get at least $10,000.
Former U.S. Attorney Donald K. Stern has been tapped to serve as the settlement claims administrator.
“There is no amount of money that can compensate our clients for the loss of their loved ones. But our clients are grateful that the Commonwealth has acted to resolve this matter without the need for protracted litigation by agreeing to compensate both the families of those who died of COVID, as well as the veterans who survived. The settlement is fair and just,” said Plaintiffs’ lawyer Tom Lesser.
Baker will file legislation seeking $56 million to fund settlement in the coming weeks, according to his office.
A set of legislative changes that would direct management and oversight reforms at the both the Holyoke and Cheslea Soldiers’ Homes remains pending on Beacon Hill where differences between versions passed by the Senate and by the House are being ironed out.
Discussing the settlement during a Thursday morning interview on WBUR, Baker said he has spoken with about 80 families who lost a loved one in the Holyoke home outbreak.
“That was my opportunity to both express my grief and to give people a chance to talk to me about their family member and about the home and the circumstance and situation,” he said. “I think the fact that people engaged in what I would describe as a good-faith discussion about how to deal with this issue was a positive one and I’m glad we have a resolution and I hope it provides people some closure.”