It happened a few years ago when the United States Metals Refining Company began clean-up after a lawsuit claimed it left a large area of Carteret polluted with toxins.This settlement, which could amount to up to about $17,500 per residential property comes as the suit claims the company's cleanup was inadequate and that toxins continue to cause damage to the properties. U.S. Metals closed down in 1986. Warehouses are now located on the huge lot.
The city says 1,205 residential properties are in the contamination zone. Many homeowners have been keeping up with the allegations and the possibility of this settlement. Anyone who owns or owned one of the properties between January 30, 2017, and March 28, 2023, is eligible.It is also best to get legal advice on the options - accepting the settlement takes away any rights you may have of suing the company separately, and it releases U.S. Metals from any wrongdoing, which it continues to claim.
A final approval hearing on the $42 million settlement is set for July 26 held over a Zoom meeting in Carteret.