Judge Hears Arguments For Columbia Gas Explosions Settlement Offer

Final approval of a $143 million settlement in a lawsuit brought against Columbia Gas for the 2018 Merrimack Valley explosions is being considered by a judge.

Moping up
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– News covered by Quincy Quarry News with commentary added.

Judge hears arguments for Columbia Gas explosions settlement offer.

A judge is considering final approval of a $143 million settlement in a lawsuit brought against Columbia Gas for the 2018 Merrimack Valley explosions.

The September 13, 2018 disaster in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover, killed a young man, injured dozens of other people and destroyed or damaged a number of residences and businesses.

The disaster was blamed on over-pressurizing gas lines during a routine gas line replacement project.

The scales of justice out of balance?
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More than 11,000 damages claims have been filed.

Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera spoke out against the settlement in court Thursday. He believes the lawyers in the case are getting too much money in the settlement and the victims are not getting enough.

This settlement is separate from the announcement Wednesday that Columbia Gas will pay a record $53 million fine for violating federal safety standards.

And adding insult to injury to the impacted victims, Columbia Gas has agreed to sell its gas distribution business in Massachusetts to Eversource.

Source: Judge Hears Arguments In $143M Columbia Gas Explosions Settlement Offer

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