GKN Aerospace has agreed to an up-to-$100 million claims program aimed at the 50,000-plus residents of Garden Grove and surrounding cities forced to evacuate over Memorial Day weekend when a failing toxic-chemical tank threatened to explode, the Orange County District Attorney’s Office announced on Monday, Aug. 24.
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The announcement comes as discussions between GKN and the District Attorney’s Office over the full impact of the high-profile chemical scare and related evacuations are still ongoing, DA officials said.
The two sides are still discussing a comprehensive safety plan that would likely include independent monitoring of the Garden Grove facility. And prosecutors said they are also negotiating potential additional financial reimbursements for expenses incurred by first responders and emergency-services agencies who took part in the massive hazardous-material situation.
The announcement of the claims agreement and discussions of a civil settlement meant the end of a criminal investigation that Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer announced in the midst of the evacuations.
For the past few months, investigators have conducted onsite inspections, reviews of plant records and consultations with experts, according to the District Attorney’s Office. Following those efforts, prosecutors opted to pursue a civil agreement with GKN Aerospace rather than a criminal case.
The details of the claims program — including how residents and businesses can apply — have yet to be determined.
The program is expected to be administered by an as-yet-unspecified third party not affiliated with GKN. But prosecutors said the program is meant to address the costs incurred for hotel stays, meals, transportation or loss of wages.
The five-day evacuation impacted an estimated 13,000 to 17,000 households, prosecutors say.
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This is a developing story and will be updated.