|
Touhy & Touhy Ltd., initiated the first class action lawsuit
brought against Nicor Utility Company for mercury contamination.
The suit was brought on behalf of more than 1,000 homeowners whose
residences were contaminated when old gas regulators leaked mercury.
Touhy & Touhy Ltd., was first contacted in July, 2000 when
the claims began to surface. As time elapsed, tens of thousands
of people were affected and over 170 families were forced out of
their residence.
The class action suit forced Nicor to work with a team comprised
of the Illinois Attorney General, the Illinois Environmental Protection
Agency, the Illinois Department of Health and the Illinois State's
Attorneys, amongst others, to inspect over 300,000 homes and remedy
the contamination.
On October 10, 2000, Touhy & Touhy Ltd., in conjunction with
other Plaintiffs' Attorneys, settled the class action lawsuit brought
against Nicor. The settlement provided that Nicor will pay $4.1
million over the next five years with $1.85 million going towards
a mercury monitoring and inspection program.
Attorney Daniel K. Touhy stated that he was pleased with the settlement
because the contamination was cleaned up, peoples' homes were made
safe and just compensation was provided for residents forced to
relocate.
|
