Roxana Groundwater Contamination Class Action Settlement

A $4.83 million class action settlement will resolve claims against Shell and ConocoPhillips over groundwater contamination in Roxana, Illinois.

Persons who occupied or owned real property within a specific area inside Roxana may qualify to receive payments if they submit valid and timely claims to the settlement administrator.

Plaintiff Jeana Parko filed this Roxana groundwater class action lawsuit to challenge Shell, ConocoPhillips and other defendants over alleged releases of contaminants from the nearby Wood River Refinery. These discharges allegedly contaminated Roxana groundwater.

In 18 spills over 25 years, Parko alleged, the defendants released several different toxic chemicals into the local air and water. These pollutants allegedly contained benzene, hexane, toluene, and xylene. Parko claimed that nearly one-fourth of the town’s residents were affected by these discharges.

The court granted preliminary approval of the settlement in August 2017, allowing the parties to begin administering the settlement.

Under terms of the Roxana groundwater settlement, the defendants will put up a total of $4.83 million. This settlement fund will be distributed among Class Members who submit valid and timely claims. An arbitrator has been appointed to resolve any disputes raised over claims.

The settlement applies solely to properties within the Settlement Class Area. The parties and the court all agree that the groundwater studies relevant to the Roxana groundwater settlement do not provide a basis for including any other properties in the settlement.

Shell and ConocoPhillips do not admit any fault in this settlement, and they continue to deny the Class’ allegations. The court has made no decision on liability.

Class Members who wish to object to the settlement or ask to be excluded from it must make a written request by Oct. 16, 2017.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement Class covers persons who either owned or occupied property within the Settlement Class Area between Jan. 1, 1986 and Aug. 30, 2017.

The Settlement Class Area covers all privately-owned real property parcels inside a roughly 8½-block area within the Village of Roxana, bounded by S. Chaffer Ave., the railroad tracks, S. Central Ave., and the alley between E. 1st St. and E. Tydeman Ave. A map of the area and a verbal description of its specific boundaries are available on the settlement website.

Potential Award

Varies.

Actual payment amounts will be determined in part based on several factors, including the location of the property, its assessed value, whether it is commercial or residential, the duration of the Class Member’s occupancy on the property, and whether the occupancy or ownership occurred ended before March 2007.

Proof of Purchase

In addition to the Claim Form, claimants must submit documentation showing that they owned or occupied property within the Settlement Class Area and during the Class period.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

Claim Form Deadline

10/16/2017

Case Name

Jeana Parko, et al. v. Shell Oil Company, et al., Case No. 3:12-cv-00336-NJR-PMF, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois.

Final Hearing

12/18/2017

UPDATE: The Roxana Groundwater Contamination Class Action Settlement was granted final approval on February 23, 2018. Let Top Class Actions know when you receive a check in the comments section below or on our  Facebook page.

Settlement Website

www.RoxanaClassSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Parko Litigation Class Settlement
c/o Rust Consulting Inc.
PO Box 2570
Faribault, MN 55021-9570
1-866-903-1197
info@RoxanaClassSettlement.com

Class Counsel

Ted N. Gianaris
SIMMONS HANLY CONROY LLC

Defense Counsel

Counsel for Shell:
Alexander G. Calfo
KING & SPALDING LLP

Counsel for ConocoPhillips:
David Bays
HEPLERBROOM LLC