Who is a Class Member
Class members of the Pensacola Jail Explosion Settlement include “all persons who were at the scene of the Escambia County Central Booking and Detention Facility in Pensacola Florida during the April 30, 2015 fire and explosion,” including inmates, emergency responders, and employees. The settlement is also open to spouses, wrongful death beneficiaries, heirs, or anyone related to such persons who may be deceased.
If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other class action settlements you may be eligible for.
Settlement Amount
- $17,500,000.00
Estimated Award
- Varies
Your payout will depend on the Settlement Matrix outlined in the Settlement Agreement. Each Settlement Class member’s benefits will be calculated by the Settlement Administrator.
Proof of Purchase
- To qualify for payment, Settlement Class Members must complete and submit the claim form, along with the Benefit Questionnaire, Release Forms, and the W-9 attached to the claim form.
Claim Form
Pensacola Jail Explosion Settlement Notes
- Allen, et al. v. A.E. New Jr. Inc., et al.
- Case No. 2015-CA-000722, Division E
- Pending in the Circuit Court of the First Judicial Circuit Court, of the State of Florida for Escambia County
On April 30, 2014, there was an explosion and fire within the basement of the Escambia County Central Booking and Detention Center (Pensacola Jail) that resulted in significant structural damage, property damage, and personal injury and/or death to plaintiffs and Class members.
Allegedly, the Pensacola Jail explosion and fire was the result of negligence on the part of the defendants – specifically, in the process of performing repairs at the jail due to previous flooding. According to the complaint, multiple gas dryers were placed in the basement of the jail, but these dryers were not properly secured and floated off the floor and separated from the gas lines, causing the explosion and fire. It is estimated that there were about 668 person at the jail when the explosion occurred, of which 184 persons were injured, and two killed.
The $17.5 million settlement will be used for inmates’ civil rights payouts (around $2.52 million). The remaining net settlement funds will be dispersed to Pensacola Ifjail employees and emergency responders who submit a valid and timely claim. Approximately 85 of the 98 named plaintiffs will petition the court for incentive awards (up to $1,323 each) to be paid out of the settlement fund.
As of right now, the settlement has not been given the final nod and could be tossed without any payouts. The settlement website further summarizes the terms of the settlement and how Class Members can file a claim. Complete details are provided in the Settlement Agreement. The Settlement Agreement and other related documents are available on the Pensacola Jail Explosion Settlement website.
Class members who wish to exclude themselves or object to the terms of the Pensacola Jail Explosion Class Action Settlement must do so by September 1, 2018. Class members who wish to submit a claim must do so by March 10, 2018.
Important Dates
- 3/10/18: Claim Form Deadline
- 9/1/18: Objection or Exclusion Deadline
- 2/11/19: Final Fairness Hearing at 9:00 am ET* (class members do not need to attend this hearing in order to receive a slice of the settlement pie).
*Settlement Class Members who wish to speak at the hearing should check www.pensacolasettlement.com to confirm that the date or time of the Hearing has not been changed.
Contact Information
- Mail: The Pensacola Jail Explosion Settlement, c/o Edgar C. Gentle, III, Settlement Administrator, Gentle Turner Sexton & Harbison LLC, 501 Riverchase Parkway East, Suite 100, Hoover, AL 35244
- Phone: 1-205-716-3000 or 1-800-345-0837
- Fax: 1-205-716-3010
Class Counsel
- Casey L. Lott of Langston & Lott PLLC
- Christopher P. Janes and Adrian R. Bridges of Michles & Booth
- Eric D. Stevenson and J. Christopher Klotz of Stevenson Klotz
Settlement Website