New Jersey will pay $53million settlement to families of 119 residents at state-run veterans homes who died of COVID
The state of New Jersey is set to pay almost $53million to the families of 119 residents of state-run veterans homes who died from coronavirus during the earliest period of the pandemic.
The families will receive an average share of $445,000 from the $52,955,000 total settlement, which was confirmed to NJ.com, though the exact amount each family will receive is yet to be decided.
Of this figure, 60 per cent is set to be handed out within 90 days of the court's receipt of 'closing papers' from plaintiffs.
Almost 200 veterans died at two of New Jersey's state veterans homes in Paramus and Menlo Park following the outbreak of coronavirus last year.
New Jersey has agreed to pay almost $53million to the families of 119 residents of veterans care homes in the state who died in the early stages of the Covid pandemic. Pictured: The New Jersey Veterans Home at Paramus which was highlighted as having one of the highest numbers of deaths early on
This figure led to a federal civil rights investigation being launched by the Department of Justice - which is currently ongoing - with Governor Phil Murphy being notified in October 2020.
According to reports in The Record and NorthJersey.com, the homes in Paramus and Menlo Park are alleged to have resisted against face mask mandates during the early stages of the pandemic.
The resistance in early 2020 to face masks came just days before the state health commissioner ordered all care home staff must wear them.
The administrative official who confirmed the pay-out to NJ.com told them: 'The families of those who have lost their lives to COVID-19 have gone through so much.
Governor Phil Murphy (pictured) was notified in October 2020 that a federal civil rights investigation was being launched by the Department of Justice into the veterans homes
'This settlement will hopefully allow them to move forward without years of protracted and uncertain litigation.'
The two state veterans homes have also previously been accused of failing to implement appropriate infection prevention measures at the start of the outbreak.
Attorney Paul M. da Costa, who represented multiple families who filed law suits against the state of New Jersey, praised the settlement for saving years of legal battles.
Dr Lisa Hou stepped in as adjutant general and Commissioner of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs after Brigadier General Jemal J. Beale stepped down from the role after the veterans homes outbreaks came to light.
Pictured: The entrance to the New Jersey Veteran's Home on May 11, 2020
In addition, the state also brought in new legislation which mandated weekly reports to the state health commissioner on veterans homes on all public health emergencies.
And a requirement for greater staffing levels meant more had carers had to be hired at the veterans homes.
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