Las Vegas Victims Fund Committee Finalizes Protocol

LAS VEGAS, NV - The Las Vegas Victims Fund Committee announced the approval of the final protocol for distribution of funds to victims' families and survivors of the Oct. 1 shooting, on Friday.

The initial draft protocol was distributed in November by the committee. The final protocol considered public input over a four-week span, including 1,700 submitted comments from victims' families and survivors of the tragedy, as well as in-person testimony given during two town hall meetings at the end of November.

The biggest change in the final protocol is the inclusion of payouts to victims who were treated or are still being treated for injury but did not require hospitalization. In a press release, the committee said that point was one of the main concerns they heard throughout the four-week window for public input.

As of Friday, the Las Vegas Victims Fund has over $22 million in it. The LVVF is an aggregation of donations that have flowed in through a GoFundMe account as well as money from the Direct Impact Fund, National Compassion Fund, and other donation streams. The fund is still encouraging donations through January 2018.

Payouts will be prioritized as follows:

• Individual death claims and those who suffered permanent brain damage or paralysis will be eligible for the highest payout.
• Individuals treated for injury before Oct. 10, and were hospitalized for at least one night between Oct. 1, 2017 and Dec. 15, 2017 as a result of the shooting will receive payment.
• Individuals treated for injury as a result of the shooting before Oct. 10, but who did not require hospitalization, will receive payment.

During the Nov. 28 town hall meeting, many survivors shared their experiences with the committee and asked for some recognition for those suffering post-traumatic stress as a result of the shooting.

"Although their injures may not be physical and something that you can see, it's definitely there and it's real. Please try to keep these people in mind as you're making your decisions," a survivor told the committee during the town hall meeting.

The final protocol acknowledges the challenges the committee faces with relatively limited funds and thousands of possible victims who have legitimate claims. The committee was unable to make anyone eligible for payment who did not receive some sort of physical injury.

"In the development of this Final Protocol, the LVVF Committee focused its efforts on making the most impact on the most victimized with the resources available," the press announcement reads.

It goes on to say:

The LVVF Committee acknowledges that everyone in attendance and many others in Las Vegas have some level of emotional trauma. After deliberation about the vast number of victims, the LVVF Committee determined to focus the disbursement of this gift on those who have also suffered a physical injury that fits into one of the categories outlined below.

Chairman of the Las Vegas Victims Fund Scott Nielson said that though the committee was unable include those experiencing PTSD in the payment plan, they are exploring other ways to help.

“It is our desire to recognize and honor all of those whose lives have been forever altered as a result of the horrific events of 1 October and we recognize the incredible needs of those experiencing psychological trauma.," Nielson said. "The overwhelming number of victims prevents us from providing individual monetary payments to those suffering psychological trauma, though we are committed to identifying mental health services to assist this critical segment of the survivor population.”

To make a claim

Links are available at www.lasvegasvictimsfund.org or at www.nationalcompassionfund.org to assist with claims. Anyone without access to a computer can call toll-free 855-4VICTIM (855-484-2846) to receive help with a claim.

Las Vegas Victims Fund upcoming timeline

• January 2 − January 31, 2018: Claim Forms completed and submitted to the Fund Administrators along with the required documentation.
• January 31, 2018: Deadline for submission of all Claim Forms.
• February 1 – February 26, 2018: All telephonic meetings requested with the Fund Administrators completed.
• March 1, 2018: All claims to be reviewed by the Fund Administrators and recommendations for payments to eligible claimants submitted to the LVVF Committee.
• March 5, 2018: Distribution of payments to approved eligible claimants begins on a rolling basis.
• April 30, 2018: Independent Audit begins (contingent upon the completion of payments and the absence of a second round of determinations and payments).

Image via John Locher/Associated Press