Chemical Exposure Lawsuit Ends in $14.8M Settlement

The companies that manufactured government-issued trailers for victims after Hurricane Katrina agreed to pay $14.8 million to settle a class action chemical exposure lawsuit that claims that the temporary shelters they provided exposed the victims to dangerous fumes.

Although the proposed settlement does not involve the federal government and does not resolve all pending litigation against other trailer manufacturers that provide the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with shelters after the hurricane, the agreement may help tens of thousands of people, according to Chem.Info.

The 21 trailer-makers agreed to pay the proposed settlement but they do not admit any wrongdoing.

The government tested hundreds of trailers in Mississippi and Louisiana and the tests showed formaldehyde levels that were about five times what most people were exposed to in modern houses, states Chem.Info. FEMA also allegedly downplayed formaldehyde risks for months prior to the release of those test results in February 2008.

If you or a loved one has been harmed by chemical exposure, contact Sokolove Law for a free legal consultation and to find out if you have grounds to pursue a legal action.

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