Settlement Information
A Settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against Solvay Specialty Polymers USA, LLC and Solvay Solexis, Inc. (together, “Solvay”), and Arkema Inc. (“Arkema”) concerning the alleged discharge of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including but not limited to perfluorononanoic acid (“PFNA”) and perfluorooctanoic acid (“PFOA”), which allegedly entered the municipal water supply of the Borough of National Park, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
Who Is a Class Member?
The Settlement Classes include the following individuals.
- All residents of the Borough of National Park, Gloucester County, New Jersey, including minors, during the period from January 1, 2019, through February 28, 2024. (“Biomonitoring Class Members”).
- All owners or lessees of residential property located within the Borough of National Park during the period from January 1, 2019 through February 28, 2024. (“Nuisance Class Members”).
- All owners of residential property located within the Borough of National Park during the period from January 1, 2019 through February 28, 2024. (“Property Class Members”).
For detailed Class definitions, please review the Long Form Notice on the Court Documents page.
Your Legal Rights and Options
Option and Deadline |
Your Legal Rights |
Do Nothingno deadline |
A. If after reading the Claim Form you do not need to complete Section One and Section Two, then you do not need to return a Claim Form to receive any settlement benefits to which you are entitled. You will receive Settlement benefits and give up your right to sue Defendants over the claims resolved by this Settlement. You will be bound by any judgment entered by the Court. B. If the information on the Claim Form is incorrect or incomplete, you should file a Claim Form with the correct and complete information. If a corrected claim form is not filed you will give up your right to sue Defendants over the claims resolved by this Settlement and will be bound by any judgment entered by the Court. |
Submit a Claim form if any information on the claim form is incorrect or incompleteby May 27, 2024 |
If you qualify for Class benefits but the information on your mailed Claim Form is incorrect or incomplete, you must fill out and return a Claim Form using the pre-paid business reply envelope provided to you in your Notice or first class mail, postmarked no later than May 27, 2024. If you did not receive a Claim Form, but believe that you qualify for Class benefits, you can download a copy of the Claim Form HERE and return it first class mail to, National Park Water Settlement Administrator, PO Box 2790, Baton Rouge, LA 70821, postmarked no later than May 27, 2024. |
ask to be excludedby May 27, 2024 |
Get no Class benefits. The only option that allows you to individually sue Defendants over the claims resolved by this Settlement is to ask to be excluded from, or “opt out” of, the Settlement. Refer to FAQ 12 for detailed instructions on how to exclude yourself from the Settlement. |
Objectby May 27, 2024 |
Write to the Court about why you do not agree with the Settlement. Note: You must remain a member of the Class to file an objection and you will be included in the Settlement and will be bound by any judgment entered by the Court. If you ask to be excluded, you may not also object to the Settlement. Refer to FAQ 13 for detailed instructions on how to object to the Settlement. |
go to a hearingOn June 13, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. (Friendly Hearing for minor class members) On June 26, 2024 at 1:30 p.m (Final Approval Hearing) |
The Court is holding a public hearing to decide if the Settlement is fair to all members of the Settlement Classes. The hearing will be held on June 26, 2024, at 1:30 p.m.. If you wish, you may attend the hearing. If you wish to speak at the hearing, you must request permission in writing, as shown HERE. Your “Notice of Intention to Appear” must be postmarked no later than June 5, 2024. Refer to FAQ 16 for detailed instructions on how to speak at the hearing.
For minor class members: The Court has appointed Judge James P. Savio (Ret.) as a Guardian Ad Litem. The role of the Guardian Ad Litem is to investigate and determine whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and in the minor class members’ best interests. The Guardian Ad Litem will report his conclusions to the Court. The Court will address the conclusions of the Guardian Ad Litem during a separate hearing that has been scheduled to be held on June 13, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. (the “Friendly Hearing”). |
Dates and Deadlines
Claims Deadline
May 27, 2024
Exclusion Deadline
May 27, 2024
Objection Deadline
May 27, 2024
Notice Of Intention to Appear
June 5, 2024
Friendly Hearing
June 13, 2024
Fairness Hearing
June 26, 2024