California IN BRIEF : OAKLAND : Quake Settlements Reach $65 Million

Victims of the 1989 collapse of the Nimitz Freeway in the Loma Prieta earthquake have so far collected more than $65 million in settlements from the state. Officials expect the last settlements to be reached by early September. In all, 412 claims have been filed by victims and families of the people killed or injured when a section of the double-deck freeway crumpled during the quake. The state Legislature created a disaster relief act to reroute potential lawsuits from courtrooms to the State Board of Control. Of the 412 claims, 294 have been settled, including all those involving the 42 people who were killed, said Joe Radding, deputy executive officer of the Board of Control.