Detroit Marathon Petroleum Explosion Class Action Settlement

A settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit filed following the April 27, 2013 explosion and fire that occurred at a Marathon Petroleum Corporation refinery in Detroit, Mich.

According to the Marathon class action lawsuit, Marathon was negligent by failing to design, monitor or maintain the above-ground storage tank that was involved in the explosion and fire. The explosion and fire also allegedly interfered with the Class Members’ use and enjoyment of their property.

The plaintiffs asserted claims under the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, the Air Pollution Prevention and Control Act, Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act and/or Resources Conservation and Recovery Act. These claims will be released once the Marathon class action settlement is finalized.

Marathon has not admitted any wrongdoing or fault but agreed to settle the class action lawsuit to avoid the burden and expense of ongoing litigation.

In addition to providing gas cards to eligible claimants, Marathon has also rebuilt and redesigned the above-ground storage tank that was involved in the explosion which cost $1.4 million and modified another similar storage tank, costing $650,000. Marathon has reportedly converted the tanks from a nitrogen blanketed closed tank to a venting design that allows natural oxidation in the tank. According to the plaintiffs, these modifications confer a benefit to the Class Members.

The Marathon class action settlement was preliminarily approved on Dec. 11, 2017.

NOTE: Class Members of Caines, et al. v. Marathon Oil Co., et al., Case No. 99-940648-NZ, in the Wayne County Circuit Court, are not eligible to participate in this Marathon class action settlement.

Who’s Eligible

Class Members must have been the owner or lessee of a household in certain areas of the City of Melvindale on April 27, 2013. The specific requirements for membership of the Class are included on the Claim Form and on the settlement website.

A map of the Class Area is available here.

Potential Award

$100 Marathon gas card (available to the first 200 Class Members who submit a timely and valid claim).

NOTE: If you already received a gas card from Marathon following the April 27, 2013 explosion, you are not eligible to receive a gift card from this Marathon class action settlement.

Proof of Purchase

Class Members must provide proof of identification and documentation of ownership or tenancy that describes their interest in the property located within the Class Area.

NOTE: Claim Forms must be notarized.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM (PDF) »

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

1/25/2018

Case Name

Anna Widdis, et al. v. Marathon Petroleum Corporation, et al., Case No. 13-cv-12925, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division

Final Hearing

2/6/2018

Settlement Website

www.HertzSchram.com/News/Marathon-Explosion-Class-Action-Settlement.shtml

Claims Administrator

Liddle & Dubin PC
975 E. Jefferson Ave.
Detroit, MI 48207
1-800-536-0045

Class Counsel

Elizabeth Thomson
HERTZ SCHRAM PC

Laura L. Sheets
LIDDLE & DUBIN PC

Defense Counsel

Amy M. Johnston
MILLER CANFIELD PADDOCK & STONE PLC