“But if they have to take 100 depositions and hire 25 experts and start getting trial dates and working their way through the traditional process, this will take years,” Perry said. “There will be no appeal to any court or any other authority.”Ĭlaimants can opt out of any settlement and continue in court. His “determinations will be final,” said a consent form shared by Perry. “And at that point, we’ll be in a position to try to negotiate the claims with the defendants.”Īgreement to participate in the process would avoid long litigation but would require accepting Perry’s decision. “Hopefully we’ll be able to put a program in place that’s acceptable to all participants in the very near future,” Perry said. 28 deadline for attorneys’ consent to do so. He also asks plaintiffs’ attorneys to recommend that their clients participate in a compensation program, with a Sept. Perry sent a letter Thursday saying that if a settlement is approved, he will run a compensation program to distribute any money put up by the defendants’ insurance companies. Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued safety violations against the designer, prime contractor, and some subcontractors, but lead engineer James Heaslip is still appealing his case. The Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office is investigating possible negligence charges but has not brought any.
