Judge Approves Over $1 Billion In Settlement Money For Victims Of 2021 Surfside Condo Collapse
SURFSIDE, FLORIDA - JUNE 24: Search and Rescue personnel work after the partial collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building on June 24, 2021 in Surfside, Florida. It is unknown at this time how many people were injured as search-and-rescue effort continues with rescue crews from across Miami-Dade and Broward counties. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Friday marked one year since 98 people died in the spontaneous collapse of a Florida condominium. One day before, a judge approved a large sum of settlement money for people impacted by the Surfside disaster. According to CNN,survivors, families of deceased victims, and owners of damaged property will receive $1 billion.
SURFSIDE, FLORIDA – JULY 11: Construction equipment is used to dig through the mound of debris from the collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building is seen through fencing on July 11, 2021 in Surfside, Florida. The death toll from the collapse his risen to 90 people, with 31 remaining unaccounted for as the recovery operations enters its 18th day. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Search and recovery crews worked for a month following the June 24 collapse to find all 98 victims. The collapse of the residential building named Champlain Towers South happened at almost 2 a.m. local time. About three dozen people escaped from one side of the building that remained standing, according to theTallahassee Democrat.
An investigation by theMiami Heraldfound that the collapse started seven minutes before the wing fell. Their work in collaboration with engineering professor Dawn Lehman pointed to “design failures, shoddy construction, damage and neglect” creating perfect conditions for the drop. The building stood for nearly 40 years.
Those who lost their lives under the metal and concrete rumble ranged from ages 1-92.CNNsays the tragedy struck families in a close local community but also around the world. Even more devastatingly, in some cases, entire families died.
SURFSIDE, FLORIDA – JULY 09: Rescue workers use excavators to dig through the rubble of the collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building on July 09, 2021, in Surfside, Florida. With the death toll currently at 64 and 76 people still missing, search and rescue personnel continue their efforts. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
How Victims Will Receive Payment
The class-action lawsuit involved the condo association, the city of Surfside, engineering, architectural and other development, and property maintenance companies.
SURFSIDE, FLORIDA – JULY 11: A poster for the Guara family of four, who all died in the collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building, hangs at a memorial site on July 11, 2021 in Surfside, Florida. The death toll from the collapse his risen to 90 people, with 31 remaining unaccounted for as the recovery operations enters its 18th day. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Those impacted will be able to submit claims to receive money from the settlement fund of $1 billion. The final settlement reportedly reflects all money available to the victims. This includes insurance claims and the pending multi-million dollar sale of the devasted property.
The collapse is known as one of the deadliest in U.S. history.
SURFSIDE, FLORIDA – JULY 11: Notes are written on a makeshift headstone for Francis Fernandez, a victim of the collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building on July 11, 2021 in Surfside, Florida. The death toll from the collapse his risen to 90 people, with 31 unaccounted for as the rescue and recovery operation enters its 18th day. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Cassandra Santiago
Cassandra Santiago is a multimedia journalist, editor, and editorial strategist with over a decade of experience shaping conversations across arts, entertainment, culture, and global news. A graduate of the University of Iowa, she has built a cross-platform career spanning newspapers, magazines, radio, and digital media. She joined The Shade Room five years ago and currently serves as a Senior Editor, where she leads editorial direction, oversees exclusive coverage, and trains and edits a team of writers. Cassandra has played a key role in developing high-impact content and editorial strategies for an audience of more than 30 million, contributing to platform growth, engagement, and monetization across multiple channels. In addition to her leadership role, she remains a daily contributor, with her articles generating more than 41 million views since 2023. Beyond The Shade Room, Cassandra offers freelance social media strategy services, speaks on the influence and impact of Black media at public panels, and owns Did It For You, an event design company in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. She is Poynter Institute–certified and was named to the DMV’s 35 Under 35 list in 2024.
