According to the Chicago Tribune, Attica residents will split a $8.1 million settlement against Kraft Global Foods Inc. Two years and three months later, the retired couple who filed the class action lawsuit alleging that a long-closed factory contaminated groundwater and created carcinogenic vapors in their neighborhood says that the suit was never about money. Mary and Ben Bowles say they moved into the neighborhood after downsizing, without ever expecting to be exposed to harmful pollutants and contamination.
About 124 households will split $5.4 million and $2.7 million will go to their various lawyers. The amounts will vary by property value, on average each household will receive about $40,000. A consultant for Kraft informed the families in November 2009 that hazardous chemical compounds were found in their neighborhood’s water supply and homes. The Bowles filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of their affected neighbors, alleging water and air pollution hurt their property values and placed their health at risk.
Kraft used tetrachloroethene and trichloroethylene as cleaners and degreasers at the former factory, when both chemicals are known to cause cancer. The $8.1 million settlement only deals with the property values and not personal injury. Orlando injury lawyer encourages residents to keep a close eye on any health problems as the effects of PCE and TCE can take years to manifest. Some residents have already reported various health issues.