BEIJING—The Associated Press reported that the Chinese government has offered a compensation package totaling $160 million to families affected by this year’s tainted milk scandal. The news source also reported that lawyers for the families of children sickened by the milk are advising their clients to reject the offer because it is too low.
Under the compensation plan, families of children who died would receive the equivalent of $29,000; those who suffered kidney stones would receive $290; and sicker children would be paid $4,380. Most of the money, $131 million, would be paid by the 22 companies blamed for the scandal directly to the victims, while the remaining $29 million would be used to cover bills for future health problems related to the tainted milk.
The compensation plan was announced today, shortly after trials began for 17 people charged with the production and sale of melamine.
