Boston Marathon bombing victims being treated as outpatients at Boston-area hospitals are eligible to receive One Fund Boston payments.
Claims are now being accepted through June 15, and money will start being handed out on June 30 on a rolling basis, according to One Fund Boston’s website.
The final protocol and prioritization for victims was also released through the website. Individual death claims, double amputees and those who suffered permanent brain damage are the top priority. Previously, One Fund Boston administrator Kenneth Feinberg had estimated the families of the three victims who died from the bombings could receive $ 1 million.
“Money is a pretty poor substitute,” Feinberg said at one of the Town Hall meetings held to discuss the protocol of how funds would be distributed. “Money is a pretty poor substitute of what you’re going through and what the people who are suffering are going through.”
“Whatever we do with this fund is inadequate. Lower your expectations of this fund. If you had a billion you wouldn’t have enough money to … compensate people,” Feinberg said. “Damper your expectations.”
And that’s with more than $ 30 million being raised so far, which will also be prioritized to go to individuals who suffered a single amputation. The third level of victims to receive priority payments include victims who required overnight hospitalization stays for one night or more.
The fourth level for individuals who could possible receive One Fund Boston are those who were treated at Boston-area hospitals on an emergency outpatient basis.
Claim forms and necessary documentation for claims can be downloaded at the One Fund Boston website.
There are also other resources for those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings, including access to mental health services available at the Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance.
Those injured may also call the Boston Public Health Commission at 617-534-5050 to connect to help and resources.
The Massachusetts Bar Association’s MBA Community Service Department is offering free legal advice to victims by calling 617-338-0695 or email communityservices@massbar.org.
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