The total was less than the roughly US$100 million sought by lawyers with the 17 law firms, but there were initially no guarantees it would ever be paid in the days after the Champlain Towers South building collapsed on June 24, 2021, killing 98 people . Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Michael Hanzman said surviving family members and people who lost only units and property got far more compensation than is typical in such large class-action cases — and this lawsuit was settled in just a year. “This is a remarkable result. It’s unprecedented,” Hanzman said at a hearing. “They’re not getting a measly recovery here. They’re basically going all out, which never happens in these cases.” Hanzman also noted that the case “could have been an absolute disaster.” “He had so much potential to go off the rails,” the judge said. “If things hadn’t gone well, they (the lawyers) would have walked away with nothing.” However, the judge said the total of $100 million in legal fees sought was too much. He noted not only that the attorneys weren’t promised a penny initially when they took the Champlain Towers case, but that their quick settlement meant reduced hours. Some survivors also questioned the higher amount as too generous given the scale of the tragedy, although they acknowledged the extraordinary outcome. “No one should profit from the death of 98 people,” said Marin Langerfeld, who lost his sister and her husband in the collapse. “This is the hardest thing that has ever happened to our family,” added Kevin Spiegel, whose wife Judith died. “We’ll always carry that.” The settlement money comes from 37 sources, including insurance companies, engineering firms and a luxury condominium building whose recent construction next door is suspected of contributing to Champlain Towers South’s structural damage. Neither party admits any wrongdoing. A billionaire developer from Dubai bought the 1.8-acre (1 hectare) beachfront site for $120 million, contributing to the settlement. It is not yet clear what structure will be developed on the site. Hearings before Hanzman and a second judge on the wrongful-death claims have been held for the past five weeks. Michael Goldberg, the court-appointed receiver overseeing the case, said the checks should be distributed to those families who have lost loved ones since mid-September. Those who lost only assets will receive the full appraised value for their units, with taxes and other costs forgiven. One of the plaintiffs’ lead attorneys, Harley Tropin, said $100 million was the absolute upper limit for attorneys’ fees and that the group was satisfied with what was awarded. “It was an honor to be chosen to try to bring about a result on behalf of these victims. There is no victory lap here,” Tropin said. “Victims come first. We’re fine.” Champlain Towers South has had a history of maintenance problems, and questions have been raised about the quality of its original construction and inspections in the early 1980s. Other possible factors in the collapse are sea level rise caused by climate change, which could cause damage from salt water ingress. A final conclusion on the cause is likely years away. The National Institute of Standards and Technology is overseeing the research.
