A $106 million settlement has been approved by a judge, bringing an end to a years-long legal battle over the deadly 2019 collapse of a Hard Rock Hotel in New Orleans. The 18-story hotel project, which was under construction, partially collapsed in October 2019, leading to three deaths and damage to surrounding properties.
Orleans parish civil district court judge Kern Reese approved the combined settlement on Thursday. The legal proceedings involved 490 plaintiffs, including injured workers and businesses, against 21 defendants. Mark Glago, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs, stated that the case had been pending for over six years.
Glago expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting that the settlement "will be an honor to, you know, these claimants that have been through so much." The settlement funds are set to be distributed by a special master.