MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va., Jan. 2, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being released by Plaintiff Counsel R. Dean Hartley, Esq., Hartley & O'Brien, PLLC, (888) 510-6547 and Defense Counsel Mark P. Fitzsimmons, Esq., Steptoe & Johnson LLP, (202) 429-8068:  

There is a Settlement of a class action lawsuit over the use of a certain type of water treatment chemical called polyacrylamide (often called "flocculent" or "floc").  Many coal preparation plants in West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and water treatment plants in West Virginia, used the chemical to separate solids from liquids.

The lawsuit claims that the chemical is toxic and that workers at these plants who were exposed to the chemical have a higher risk of getting serious diseases.  The Defendants, manufacturers and distributors of polyacrylamide, deny those claims and that they did anything wrong.  Both sides have agreed to settle the case to avoid the cost and burdens associated with ongoing litigation.

The Defendants have agreed to pay approximately $6.6 million for free medical examinations for workers included in the class.  Anyone who worked at a coal preparation or water treatment plant in West Virginia or a coal preparation plant in Pennsylvania where the chemical was used is included in the Settlement as a Class Member. 

Class Members must file a Claim Form to get a medical examination.  Claim Forms are available at www.FlocSettlement.com or by calling 1-877-738-3562.  The deadline to submit a Claim Form has not yet been set by the Court but may be as early as March 1, 2014. 

Class Members cannot exclude themselves from the Settlement and they will be bound by the Court's decisions.  Even if they do not get examinations, they cannot sue the chemical companies on their own for free medical examinations.  However, if they have or later develop a specific injury, disease, or medical condition that they believe may be caused by polyacrylamide, they may file their own lawsuits about those claims. 

Class Members may object to the Settlement in writing by April 1, 2013.  The detailed notice, available at the website or through the toll-free number, explains the Settlement, Class Member rights, and how to object. 

For more information about the Settlement or information on how to file a claim: visit www.FlocSettlement.com or call 1-877-738-3562.  

Contacts:
R. Dean Hartley, Esq.
(888) 510-6547

Mark P. Fitzsimmons, Esq.
(202) 429-8068

SOURCE Plaintiff Counsel R. Dean Hartley, Esq., Hartley & O’Brien, PLLC, (888) 510-6547 and Defense Counsel Mark P. Fitzsimmons, Esq., Steptoe & Johnson LLP, (202) 429-8068