Clairton, PA – Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services in partnership with Clean Water Action, Women for a Healthy Environment and the Clean Air Council will be holding two free legal clinics to provide critical information and 1-on-1 time with an attorney for some 5600 residents who may unknowingly be involved in a class action lawsuit against U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works. The clinics will be held at Clairton City Hall, 551 Ravensburg Blvd, Clairton, PA 15025, on Thursday, January 9, 2020 from 4pm-8pm and on Saturday, January 11, 2020 from 10am-2pm.
Clairton residents, represented by Liddle & Dubin, P.C, have agreed to a proposed settlement for them and a “class” of 5600 residents from the municipalities of Clairton, Elizabeth, Glassport, Liberty and Lincoln located around the facility. Class members should have already received a mailed notification in the form of a white envelope labeled “Court ordered settlement notice” from “Settlement notice administrator” with a Chicago address.
The clinics are designed to answer their questions about how the settlement could work for (or against) them if it is finalized. They will provide basic information like deadlines for decision making and also personalized support.
These residents have until January 20, 2020, to opt out of this agreement and until February 4, 2020 to mail in their claim form for settlement payment. If residents want to submit objections or support of the settlement the must do so in writing by January 20, 2020 and only can do so if they have not opted out of the settlement. Objections will be heard at a Fairness Hearing on February 24, 2020 at 10am at the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Courtroom 820, City-County Building, 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219. All documents that were mailed are also available at the Liddle & Dubin, P.C. website: https://www.ldclassaction.com/clairton/.
Fair Shake is nonprofit law firm working to provide access to environmental justice through a number of critical legal services and community planning, including the provision of pro bono services when large groups of residents’ rights are at stake. Fair Shake is not involved in the proposed settlement and can provide unbiased legal advice that is tailored to each residents’ individual situation and concerns. Our attorneys will be available for up to 20 minute confidential consultations with individual residents at the clinics.
“A few things that stuck out: (1) if you don't opt-out of the agreement, you could be locked into the agreement; (2) in exchange for agreeing not to pursue your property rights you could receive around $300-400; (3) the facility agreed to upgrades that it may or may not have already agreed to perform; (4) if only 20 people decide to opt-out, the agreement will fall apart, which might mean that U.S. Steel anticipates that if 20 people maintain their right to sue, the $2,000,000 settlement fund is not worth it.” Emily Collins, Esq., Exec. Director & Managing Attorney – Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services
“We expect the clinic will provide residents with an opportunity to discuss their rights and options under the proposed settlement in a one-on-one conversation with independent legal counsel.” Ryan Hamilton Esq., Supervising Attorney – Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services
“We urge residents living near U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works to take advantage of Fair Shake’s free legal clinic. With only days to make an important decision, residents should seek this impartial source of legal advice prior to responding to the letter regarding this class action lawsuit,” Myron Arnowitt, State Director - Clean Water Action
“Class action lawsuits can be a complicated process. Women for a Healthy Environment encourages residents to take advantage of this unique opportunity provided by Fair Shake. Residents need to be fully informed, so they can determine their best course of action now and into the future. Anyone wishing to receive alerts on poor air quality days should text airpgh to 797979 or visit our website at WomenForAHealthyEnvironment.org.” Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Executive Director, Women for a Healthy Environment.
