Last Thursday, a federal judge gave preliminary approval to a million settlement in a class action lawsuit against Pulcra Chemicals LLC for releasing “forever chemicals” from a Chattooga County textile plant. A hearing is scheduled for April for class members to express their views. The lawsuit, filed by former Summerville City Councilman Earl Parris, claims that Mount Vernon Mills and other companies polluted local water, leading to health risks and increased costs for residents. Final approval of the settlement could resolve part of the case while other defendants remain under scrutiny.
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A federal judge has given preliminary approval for a million settlement in a class action lawsuit concerning “forever chemicals” allegedly released from a textile plant in Chattooga County. This settlement could resolve the involvement of Pulcra Chemicals LLC in the case. The deal, submitted by former Summerville City Councilman Earl Parris, involves Pulcra Chemicals agreeing to pay this amount to provide temporary drinking water to the town’s residents.
U. S. District Judge Thomas Thrash has set an April hearing for the affected class members to give their input before the settlement receives final approval. In his preliminary analysis, Judge Thrash noted that the settlement represents a reasonable compromise for the class members and that establishing a fund for temporary drinking water offers significant benefits.
Out of the million Pulcra has agreed to pay, 0,000 will be allocated for notifying class members about the settlement, as well as covering attorneys’ fees and litigation costs. Other companies remain defendants in the lawsuit which Parris has accused of pollution from the Mount Vernon Mills textile plant in Trion.
The lawsuit, filed in 2021, claims that Mount Vernon Mills, a major denim producer, along with several chemical companies, is responsible for a water crisis that has caused the city to raise water rates, costing local water users over . 6 million. The focus is on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) used by Mount Vernon Mills to make products stain-resistant and waterproof, which Parris alleges are discharged as wastewater that cannot be adequately treated by the town’s water pollution control facility.
Parris states that this wastewater treatment has resulted in PFAS-contaminated sludge being disposed of in areas affecting the city’s water supply for at least 28 years. He highlighted the health risks associated with these chemicals, which can lead to developmental issues, reproductive problems, and increased cancer risks.
The water contamination has affected all Summerville residents who use the city’s water supply, prompting the city to provide bottled water and delivery services after health warnings were issued in February 2020. Approximately 4,500 households using city water have faced financial strain due to increased rates implemented by the city to cope with additional expenses from the contamination.
Parris also noted the need for the city to borrow funds for a new water treatment system to eliminate PFAS, which could cost million unless the chemical manufacturers are required to cover the expenses. If the deal with Pulcra is finalized in April, it would be the first settlement while other companies like Du Pont and 3M still face ongoing claims related to the pollution. The agreement allows for these companies to join the temporary drinking water fund if they reach settlements in the future.
Earl Parris is represented by attorneys from Davis Johnston & Ringger PC and Causby Firm LLC, while Pulcra is represented by a legal team from Kazmarek Mowrey Cloud Laseter LLP.
The case is Earl Parris Jr. et al. v. 3M Co. et al. , in the U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.
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