Final Settlement Approved in Arsenic Exposure Law Suit

August 20, 2007 Plaquemine, Louisiana

Last week District Judge James J. Best signed a judgment granting final approval of a $2.7 million dollar settlement in the class action lawsuit against Ashland, Inc. Hercofina, Hercules, Inc. and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.  About 2,500 people filed claims stating they were exposed to the allegedly contaminated water, mostly containing arsenic. 

The lawsuit claimed the Allemania Chemical Company disposed toxic waste in an injection well on their plant site causing the Plaquemine Acquifer to be contaminated with high levels of arsenic.  Water wells at the Georgia Gulf site sucked the pollution plume westward and into the Georgia Gulf water system used for drinking water and making ice for people at the plant.  Although the defendants have agreed to settle the case, they are not admitting any wrong doing.  Georgia Gulf remains a defendant in the case and did not contribute to the settlement fund.

"People who filed claims in the case should receive their portion of the settlement around the end of November," said Pat Pendley, of Pendley, Baudin and Coffin, serving as Liaison Counsel, representing all plaintiff attorneys in the case.