Pensacola, Florida Jail Explosion Class Action Settlement

A settlement fund of $17.5 million is being set up to compensate persons affected by a 2014 explosion and fire in a Pensacola, Fla. jail.

Persons on the scene during that event, including inmates, employees and first responders, may qualify to submit claims.

This settlement resolves claims related to a fire and explosion that happened at the Central Booking and Detention Facility in Pensacola, Fla. on April 30, 2014. Around 668 persons were present in the facility during the fire, including 98 persons named as plaintiffs in this class action settlement.

According to the class action lawsuit, the explosion and fire happened during a flood, when gas-powered laundry dryers in the basement of the facility floated on rising flood water and broke from their gas lines, releasing gas that later ignited.

The settlement creates a net settlement fund worth $17.5 million. Of this fund, $2.52 million is reserved for payments to jail inmates in connection with their civil rights claims. The remaining $14.98 million will be used to pay claims of all Class Members, including jail employees and first responders. About 85 named plaintiffs will ask the court to grant them incentive awards of up to $1,323 each, to be paid from the settlement fund.

Claims must be submitted via mail. Claimants will need to submit a Claim Form with the requested supporting documentation.

The settlement is still waiting on final approval from the court. The settlement could be terminated if the court does not grant final approval or for other reasons. If the settlement is terminated, no payments will be made.

Class Members who prefer to opt out of the settlement or object to its terms must file their written request no later than Sept. 1, 2018.

Who’s Eligible

The settlement Class covers persons who were on the scene at the Escambia County Central Booking and Detention Facility in Pensacola during the explosion and fire; the spouses of such persons, married to them at the time of the event; the wrongful death beneficiaries or heirs of any such persons who may be deceased; or persons who are related to such persons and have a claim through that person because of that relationship.

Potential Award

Individual payments will be determined according to a “Settlement Matrix,” the details of which can be found in the settlement agreement. The settlement administrator is responsible for calculating each Class Member’s payment.

Proof of Purchase

In addition to filling out the Claim Form, Class Members are asked to complete and return a W-9 form, two lien forms, and a declaration. These forms are available as attachments to the claim form.

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

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

3/10/2018

Case Name

Allen, et al. v. A.E. New Jr. Inc., et al., Case No. 2015-CA-000722, in the Circuit Court of the First Judicial Circuit Court, in and for Escambia County, Florida

Final Hearing

2/11/2019

Settlement Website

www.PensacolaSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

The Pensacola Jail Explosion Settlement
c/o Edgar C. Gentle, III, Settlement Administrator
Gentle Turner Sexton & Harbison LLC
501 Riverchase Parkway East, Suite 100
Hoover, AL 35244
Phone: 205-716-3000
Toll-Free Phone: 800-345-0837
Fax: 205-716-3010

Class Counsel

Casey L. Lott
LANGSTON & LOTT PLLC

Christopher P. Janes
Adrian R. Bridges
MICHLES & BOOTH

Eric D. Stevenson
J. Christopher Klotz
STEVENSON KLOTZ

Defense Counsel

Charles V. Peppler
ESCAMBIA COUNTY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE

J. Lawson Hester
PETTIS BARFIELD & HESTER PA
Counsel for Escambia County, Fla.

G. Bruce Parkerson
James K. Ordeneaux
PLAUCHE MASELLI PARKERSON
Counsel for City of Pensacola, dba Pensacola Energy

Counsel information for 11 other defendants is available in the Individual Notice and FAQ.