RICHMOND, Va. -- Families of the victims of the Virginia Tech shootings have been given an extra week to respond to a settlement the state is proposing to prevent lawsuits, people familiar with the settlement said Friday. Families originally were told they had to respond to the offer by Monday but have been given until April 7, according to a family member and two people close to the negotiations. All asked to remain anonymous because those involved were told not to talk about the settlement. Representatives of each of the 32 killed would receive $100,000 and would have the chance to talk to the governor and university officials about the April 16 shootings under the proposal, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press. Another $800,000 would be available to injured victims, with a limit of $100,000 per person. They and the families of those killed could seek additional money from a $1.75 million hardship fund. By accepting the proposal, family members would give up the right to sue several public entities, including Virginia Tech. ___ Associated Press Writer Sue Lindsey in Roanoke contributed to this report.
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