January 29, 1999

State Settles With 7 People Injured in Balcony Collapse at U. of Virginia

The Commonwealth of Virginia has agreed to pay $271,500 to seven people who were injured when a balcony collapsed just before a 1997 graduation ceremony at the University of Virginia.

One person was killed and 18 others injured when the balcony -- part of a faculty pavilion designed by Thomas Jefferson -- gave way. Engineers later found that one of four iron rods supporting the balcony was corroded.

Four lawsuits are still