A judge has approved a $106 million settlement, bringing an end to a protracted legal dispute stemming from the deadly 2019 collapse of a Hard Rock Hotel construction project in New Orleans.
The 18-story hotel project partially collapsed in October 2019, resulting in three fatalities and damage to surrounding properties. While a grand jury declined to indict any individuals in connection with the collapse, a series of lawsuits were subsequently filed. The City of New Orleans initiated one such suit in August 2020, naming the building owners, their partners, and contractors as defendants.
These numerous lawsuits were unified into a single case comprising 490 plaintiffs. The plaintiffs include injured workers and businesses impacted by the structural failure. According to Mark Glago, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs, the case has been pending for more than six years. The consolidated settlement, totaling $106 million, received approval from Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Kern Reese on Thursday, as confirmed by Glago and court records.
"This will be an honor to, you know, these claimants that have been through so much," Glago stated regarding the settlement. "We are very, very happy with this $106 million." The funds from the settlement will be distributed by a court-appointed special master.