PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- A group of plaintiffs' lawyers has agreed to share evidence and work together researching what could become a flood of lawsuits from the Rhode Island nightclub fire that killed 100 people.
Nine lawyers have been appointed to a committee that will manage the lawsuits. Superior Court Judge Alice Gibney, who is overseeing the cases, approved the committee members Friday.
The lawyers will pool resources and share the cost of storing evidence and investigating the fire.
At least four lawsuits have been filed over the blaze Feb. 20 at The Station nightclub in West Warwick, and more such cases are expected. A grand jury is also weighing whether criminal charges are warranted.
In addition to those killed, nearly 200 people were injured in the fire.
Lawyers Mark Mandell and Max Wistow, who have spent more than $200,000 in gathering evidence, will co-chair the committee.
The panel will set up groups to investigate such things as the pyrotechnics blamed for the blaze and the potential liability of various manufacturers and concert promoters.
Each lawyer on the panel has agreed to pay $40,000 to help cover the expenses of preserving evidence from the fire site. That will also help cover the cost of testing certain materials.
