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ROCKDALE COUNTY, GA–County government officials confirmed today, Dec. 12, that the county’s lawsuit against BioLab Inc. has been filed in the Northern District of Georgia’s Federal Court in Atlanta.
The county has retained the law firm of Napoli Shkolnik, which filed the complaint against Bio-Lab, Inc., KIK International LLC, and KIK Consumer Products Inc., in response to the catastrophic chemical fire that erupted on Sept. 29, 2024, at the Bio-Lab facility in Rockdale County.
Pictured: Attorney Shayna E. Sacks, a partner in the law firm,of Napoli Shkolnik, speaks to media at the Oct. 21, 2024 press conference to announced Rockdale County’s plans to file a federal lawsuit. Video grab photo by Glenn L. Morgan/ocgnews.com
The complaint, filed in October 2024, alleges various causes of action, including but not limited to violations of the Clean Air Act, negligence, public nuisance, and private nuisance, county officials stated in a news release.
The chemical fire occurred on Sept. 29, releasing massive plumes of chlorine and other chemicals in the air. Pieces of black matter also were found on people’s lawns and businesses and church’s parking lots. The fire forced the evacuation of over 1,700 residents the day it broke out. The fire burned for several more days, forcing the shutdown of schools and businesses as authorities issued shelter-in-place orders effective daily from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m.
On Common Ground News reached out this morning to the law firm of Napoli Shkolnik to obtain more details about the federal case. Attorney Shayna E. Sacks, a partner in the firm, stated that she was traveling this week and responded in an e-mail:
“The county remains steadfast in its commitment to transparency and the safety and well-being of its residents. While I cannot provide detailed comments on the ongoing litigation, I can assure you and the public that all necessary legal measures are being pursued to hold Bio-Lab and its related companies accountable for their actions.”
Deadline to file BioLab reimbursement claims
Meanwhile, BioLab announced on Wednesday(Dec. 11) that the last day it will accept reimbursement claims from individuals and businesses is Dec. 31. If you spent money on hotels or other housing , food, gas, lloat wages, and other expenses, you have until Dec. 31, 11:59 p.m., to submit a claim to BioLab.
Since Oct. 8, BioLab has responded to more than 29,000 calls , 9,000 emails and assisted 4,000 individuals in person through its Community Assistance Center, evaluating and processing reimbursement requests, BioLab stated in a news release.
All eligible claims that are initiated on or before the eadline will be processed as usual, the company said. The best and most efficient way to file a claim, BioLab stated, is by emailing the company’s dedicated claims email (BioLabClaims@biolabinc.com) until December 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.
Claims filed by email must include:
- Claimant’s name
- Address
- Phone number
- Items being claimed
- Amount of each claimed item
- Supporting documentation
Claims also can be made by calling BioLab’s 24/7 Call Center at (678) 301-2359 until Dec. 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Additionally, BioLab’s Community Assistance Center, located in downtown Conyers, will continue to assist with filing claims through Dec. 21, 2024 for community members with appointments, which are available on a first-come, first-serve basis on the Company’s website. Visiting the Community Assistance Center is not required to file a claim, and BioLab encourages community members who would like to receive immediate assistance to email BioLabClaims@biolabinc.com to be connected with an adjustor.
The Community Assistance Center will reopen in January to assist with the check distribution process for remaining claims that were submitted prior to December 31, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. Further details and information about how to submit claims can be found here
For more information on how to submit a claim, click here.
Consolidation of federal cases
In November, a federal judge ordered all of the Biolab cases filed on behalf of individuals be consolidated into one class-action lawsuit. Judge Sarah E. Geraghty has appointed four attorneys to lead the legal proceedings. Plaintiffs have until Jan. 10 to file an amended consolidated complaint.