ST. PAUL, MINN. - Minnesota lawmakers reached agreement on a $38 million compensation package for victims of a deadly bridge collapse, capping months of work to provide relief beyond the state's legal liability.

The deal struck in a joint committee of the House and Senate will offer everyone who was on the bridge up to $400,000, with an additional $12.6 million pool for the people who suffered the most severe injuries and losses. Thirteen people died in the Aug. 1 collapse, and 145 were hurt.

"This is what we've been fighting for the whole time," Kimberly Brown, who suffered back, neck and knee injuries, said Friday. "Thank God that they have figured out a way to help everybody."

The package is expected to be approved by the Legislature on Monday and sent to Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who called it "needed relief and support" for victims.

If victims agree to take the money, they will have to sign away their rights to sue the state and other governmental entities in Minnesota. They would not be precluded from suing other parties in the collapse.

Victims said they were thankful for the compromise.

Jennifer Holmes, who lost her husband in the collapse, thanked lawmakers and said she will take the settlement to avoid the uncertainty she would face if she sued the state.

"There is no way possible that we can get that day back," Holmes said. "Or get back what we have been through in losing our loved ones or going through numerous surgeries that people are still doing. But this does help in making sure that we have a safe future."