People who evacuated during the Winston Weaver Fertilizer plant fire in 2022 could soon receive hundreds of dollars in compensation.
On Monday, Judge Edwin Wilson officially signed off on an $8 million class action settlement with Winston Weaver Company for the January 2022 fire, which forced mass evacuations amid fears of an explosion.
Roughly 6,500 people who lived or worked within a mile of the site are eligible. After attorneys’ fees, each individual could receive around $750.
Gary Jackson, an attorney for the plaintiffs, called the settlement fair and reasonable given the stress and out-of-pocket costs faced by those who fled.
To receive compensation, residents must file a claim by mail or online. It’s unclear when payments will be distributed.
A separate lawsuit on behalf of affected business owners is scheduled for trial in January.