Pittsburgh proposes $500,000 settlement for Fern Hollow Bridge collapse victims

The City of Pittsburgh has proposed a $500,000 settlement for the victims of the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse, which occurred in January 2022 and resulted in injuries to eight individuals. Deputy Mayor Jake Pawlak announced that this payment acknowledges the city's liability for the incident, as the bridge was city infrastructure. The proposed amount is the maximum allowed under Pennsylvania state law for municipal payouts, and it will be divided among the victims, although the exact distribution is yet to be determined. The announcement of the settlement took many by surprise, including the attorneys representing the victims, who were not informed prior to the media reports. They expressed appreciation for the city accepting responsibility but noted the lack of communication regarding the settlement proposal. The city solicitor stated that they cannot comment on ongoing litigation, as this matter is still in court. The victims' attorneys plan to continue their legal actions against several engineering firms involved in the bridge's construction and maintenance. They are looking forward to discussing the proposed settlement in court, which they hope will expedite the resolution of the case. The city aims to bring closure to this matter, which has been unresolved for over two years. Before the settlement can be finalized, it requires judicial approval. The city believes that this step will help streamline the process and provide some measure of compensation to the victims affected by the tragic collapse.