Victim Compensation Funds and Tort Litigation Following Incidents of Mass Violence

How do victim compensation funds (VCFs) impact a victim’s likelihood to sue using the tort system? This issue is of more than theoretical interest, as VCFs have become a seemingly ubiquitous feature of the policy landscape following high-profile tragedies. For example, following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Congress created a special compensation fund for victims who waived their right to sue.1 After being swarmed with thousands of donations in the wake of the Virginia Tech massacre, Virginia Tech established the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund to provide