Who is a Class Member
Anyone who was provided tap water from West Virginia American’s Kanawha Valley Water Treatment Plant on January 9, 2014. This class includes both residential (house, condominium, apartment) and business-related (for-profit, non-profit, government) properties.
Additionally, anyone who was working at one of the business-related property’s who lost wages due to a necessary shut down on the above date.
Settlement Amount
Estimated $151,000,000
Proof of Purchase
No proof of purchase is necessary. Potential workers who lost wages on January 9, 2014 must provide documentation of the lost wages must be presented.
Renters who do not submit direct payment for utility charges are still eligible.
Potential Settlement Payment
Residential Households
Those living in residential locations may receive approximately $550 per household with an additional $180 per each additional person living at the premises. Tenants may submit additional documents for any other losses (damages, general losses, or unexpected expenses) directly related to the water quality. Women who were pregnant on the specified date may be eligible for a payment of $1,500. Any additional medical claims may result in further distributions for out of pocket expenses up to $750 or permanent injuries.
Business-Related Properties
Qualifying businesses or valid organizations may receive approximately $1,875 with a potential ceiling of $64,000 if there was a forced shut down (of any magnitude) due to the lost quality. Owners must provide documentation for any additional losses due to damage, lost revenue, etc.
Workers
Workers who were forced to lose wages due to forced shut down can reclaim their lost funds.
Claim Form
Important Dates
12/08/2017: Deadline for personal exclusion. Hard copies must be dated be dated on or prior to this date.
12/08/2017: Deadline for personal objections.
02/21/2018: Deadline for claim filings.
01/09/2018: Final hearing.
Settlement Notes
- Crystal Good et al. v. American Water Works, Inc. et al.
- Case No. 2:14-cv-01374
- Pending in the Southern District Court of West Virginia, Charleston.
Class members in the West Virginia Water contamination class action lawsuit contending that American Water Works owes reparations to those effected by a contaminated water source that occurred on January 9, 2014 which effected nine counties.
Following various amendments and different hearings, American Water (and Eastman Chemical Company) have agreed to pay distributions to those effected. The majority of residential occupants will receive equal to excessive pay for any issues that were experienced. Business entities will find fair retribution with qualifying revenue reimbursement as well. Payment will be based on member claims regarding:
- Property damage, extra expenses, and discarded food
- Medical treatment or physical injury
- Business property damage, lost profits or inventory, and extra expenses
- Lost wages
- Enhanced risk to pregnant women
- Additional baseline distributions for general involvement
Contact Information
Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 4227
Charleston, WB 25364
Phone: 1-855-829-8212
*Further contact can be made through the settlement website linked below.
Settlement Website