People and businesses harmed by pollution from the Limetree Bay Refinery in 2021 must submit claims by November 3 to receive compensation from seven settlements worth $59.795 million, the U.S. District Court of the Virgin Islands said.
Companies involved in owning, financing and running the refinery reached the agreements to settle claims that residents and workers were exposed to hazardous chemicals, oil droplets, gases and other pollutants when the facility attempted to restart five years ago. The court gave preliminary approval on August 27, 2026, and will hold a final hearing on December 14.
The filing window opened September 10. Anyone wishing to opt out or challenge the settlements must act by October 27.
Who can file
The settlement covers individuals and businesses that owned or rented property in western St. Croix from February 3, 2021 onward, as well as those who lived, worked or spent time in the area between February 3 and May 26, 2021.
The eligible zone spans western St. Croix east to longitude 64.74 degrees west and reaches the ocean. A settlement website shows a map with three designated zones.
Being in the settlement class does not guarantee payment. Claimants must describe specific harm from the refinery incidents. Compensable losses include property damage to homes, buildings and vehicles; contaminated cisterns; nuisance and trespass; lost income; physical or mental health effects; and unreimbursed out-of-pocket costs.
Documentation such as identity proof, property records, receipts and expense records may be required.
How payments will be calculated
The settlement administrator will score each claim using a points-based system. Individual payouts depend on points awarded and the total points across all approved claims. The $59.795 million is the gross fund; no set payment per person has been determined.
Attorneys for claimants have asked the court to approve $19.93 million in legal fees and $3.61 million in expenses, totalling about $23.55 million from the settlement fund. Court approval is needed. Administrative costs will also be subtracted before money reaches claimants.
The 2021 incidents
The refinery released pollutants on February 4, April 23, May 5 and May 12, 2021, according to court filings.
On May 12, 2021, a major breakdown released smoke and oil droplets westward, affecting nearby communities and raising concerns about cistern contamination. The Environmental Protection Agency halted operations on May 14 under emergency Clean Air Act powers, citing repeated incidents that posed an imminent public health threat.
The facility abandoned its restart and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2021.
Filing instructions
Claimants can submit forms through www.LimetreeBaySettlement.com, which includes the claim form, eligibility map, payment formula and instructions for documents.
Mail-in claims go to: Limetree Bay Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 2420, Portland, OR 97208-2420.
Support is available at 1-888-859-9973 or by email. In-person help is offered in Whim, Frederiksted and the Five Corners area of Christiansted, with hours on the settlement website.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first.