Residents, Businesses, and Hourly Workers Must File a Claim by February 21 to Benefit from $151 Million West Virginia Water Contamination Settlement

CHARLESTON, W.Va., Jan. 22, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is being released by Settlement Class Counsel in Good v. American Water Works Company, Inc.

There is an upcoming deadline in the West Virginia Water Contamination Settlement for residents, businesses, and hourly workers impacted by the Freedom Chemical Spill.  

Previously, West Virginia-American Water Company, American Water Works Service Company, Inc. and American Water Works Company, Inc., and Eastman Chemical Company reached a Settlement involving the January 9, 2014 Elk River chemical leak event that contaminated the drinking water source for portions of the following nine counties: Boone, Cabell (Salt Rock/Culloden area), Clay, Jackson, Kanawha, Lincoln, Logan, Putnam and Roane. 

The Court held a hearing on January 9, 2018 to decide whether to approve the Settlement.  After the Court approves the Settlement, payments will be made to those Class Members who file a valid claim.  Settlement Class Counsel appeared at the hearing on behalf of the entire Class.  Settlement Class Counsel includes the following law firms:  The Calwell Practice, LC; Bonnett, Fairbourn, Friedman & Balint P.C.; Thompson Barney; Powell & Majestro PLLC; Bailey Glasser LLP; The Masters Law Firm L.C.  

There is still time to file a claim.  Residents, businesses, and hourly workers impacted by the Freedom Chemical Spill must decide what to do with the following payment options by February 21, 2018 (explained more fully in the Amended Settlement Agreement available online at WVwaterclaims.com).

Residential Households (including people who owned or rented condos, apartments, and houses) supplied with tap water on January 9, 2014 from West Virginia American's Kanawha Valley Water Treatment Plant ("KVTP") that was contaminated by the Freedom Chemical Spill:

(1) Simple Payment Option:  Estimated $550 for first person in household plus $180 for each additional person.  Can also file for medical claims or pregnancy claims, and lost hourly wages.   

OR

(2) Individual Review Payment Option:

Property damage: including repair/replacement or flushing of water system or components, hot water heaters, dishwashers, humidifiers, CPAPs and other appliances.

Extra expenses: including bottled water, pre-prepared foods, discarded food, substitutes for dinnerware, travel and substitute lodging.

AND

(3) Medical Claims: (a) Out of pocket expenses and additional payment of $750 for medical treatment for the January 9, 2014 spill event, and (b) Higher payments for demonstrated physical injury or wrongful death caused by exposure to or interruption in tap water.

OR

(4) Pregnancy Claims: Payment of $1,500 for women who were pregnant on January 9, 2014.

Businesses (including non-profits and government entities) that owned or leased property supplied with tap water by KVTP on January 9, 2014:

(1) Simple Payment Option:  Businesses ordered to shut down may get up to $41,875 (estimated based on revenue).  Lodging businesses may get up to $64,000 (estimated based on revenue).  Other businesses, non-profits and governmental entities may get $1,875 (estimated).

OR

(2) Individual Review Option:  Lost profits, lost revenues for government entities, repair/replacement, lost inventory, bottled water, and extra expenses.  

Workers will recover documented lost hourly wages if their place of employment was shut down or partially shut down because of water contamination.  

For additional information about the Settlement, please visit www.WVwaterclaims.com or call 1-855-829-8121.

Source:  Settlement Class Counsel in Good v. American Water Works Company, Inc.

SOURCE Settlement Class Counsel in Good v. American Water Works Company, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.WVwaterclaims.com