Laura Sturza
LOS ANGELES -- Lockheed-Martin Corporation is facing trial after being
sued by four plaintiffs alleging the company's chemical runoff
contaminated Burbank water, causing illness or death. The firm paid $60
million in 1996 to 1,350 residents and $5 million in 2000 to 400
residents in out-of-court settlements related to cancer-causing chemicals
first found in 1980 in Burbank.
"These are the first ones (lawsuits) to actually go to trial,"
Lockheed Spokeswoman Gail Rymer said. "There were settlement discussions,
but we were unable to reach agreement."
Lawyers for the plaintiffs were unavailable for comment.
The federal case began with jury selection Wednesday in U.S. District
Court in Los Angeles.
Presiding over the trial, slated to last four weeks, is U.S. District
Judge Mariana R. Pfaelzer. The jury will first decide if the corporation
is liable. If found liable, damages will be assessed.
