A judge approved a $106 million settlement resolving years of litigation stemming from the October 2019 partial collapse of the 18-story Hard Rock Hotel in New Orleans, which killed three people. The civil suits were consolidated into a single action listing 490 plaintiffs and 21 defendants; co-lead counsel Mark Glago said the case had been pending for more than six years. Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Kern Reese signed off on the settlement and a court-appointed special master will oversee distribution of the funds.
Judge Approves $106M Settlement Ending Years of Litigation Over 2019 Hard Rock Hotel Collapse
The Hard Rock Hotel, which was under construction, in New Orleans in October 2019, after a deadly partial collapse. - Gerald Herbert/AP/File
A judge on Thursday approved a $106 million settlement that resolves years of civil litigation stemming from the partial collapse of the Hard Rock Hotel while it was under construction in New Orleans in October 2019.
Collapse, Criminal Review and Civil Suits
The 18-story project partly collapsed in October 2019, killing three people and damaging nearby buildings. A grand jury later declined to indict any individuals in connection with the collapse, but multiple civil claims followed. In August 2020 the City of New Orleans filed suit naming the building's owners, their partners and several contractors.
Consolidated Case and Settlement
Those lawsuits were consolidated into a single civil action that lists 490 plaintiffs — including injured workers and affected businesses — and 21 defendants, according to Mark Glago, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs. Glago said the consolidated case had been pending for more than six years.
Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Kern Reese approved the combined $106 million settlement on Thursday, court records and Glago confirmed. The settlement will resolve the consolidated claims against the named defendants.
"This will be an honor to, you know, these claimants that have been through so much," Glago said of the settlement. "We are very, very happy with this $106 million."
A court-appointed special master will oversee and distribute settlement payments to eligible claimants. Court records did not provide a detailed timeline for distribution.
What Comes Next
With the settlement approved, the next steps are the special master's review and the allocation of funds to the claimants. The approval brings a long-running legal chapter related to the fatal collapse closer to resolution for victims, workers and local businesses.
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