[JURIST] Five families whose relatives died in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks [JURIST news archive] have reached a settlement agreement with American Airlines, Boeing, and a passenger screening company in the families' negligence lawsuit, lawyers said Tuesday. The families decided to bring an individual action against the companies instead of accepting money from the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund [official website]. The settlement must still be approved by Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, who is presiding over Sept. 11 litigation [NYSD materials].

A total of 95 plaintiffs have refused the settlements offered by the federal compensation fund, which distributed over $7 billion in public funds to families and victims injured in the attacks in exchange for the victims to forfeit their right to bring claims in court. AP has more.