Expert calls Ind. stage collapse compensation fair

INDIANAPOLIS — The architect of compensation for victims of last year’s deadly Indiana State Fair stage collapse says he believes the state was “exceedingly fair” with victims.

Victims’ compensation specialist Kenneth Feinberg tells The Associated Press that officials had limited resources to compensate more than 50 people injured and families of seven who were killed. Indiana limits legal claims against the state to $5 million total per incident, and a charity fund raised about $1 million.

Legislators later approved an additional $6 million for victims. A plan to link the state money to a settlement with stage owner Mid-America Sound Corp. fell apart, but Feinberg says it was a good idea because victims would have received more money.

Feinberg oversaw victims compensation for the 9/11 terrorist attacks and the BP oil spill.