GKN Aerospace Launches $100 Million Claim Program for Garden Grove Residents

GKN Aerospace announced on Tuesday that it is offering a $100 million compensation program to residents and business owners in Garden Grove and Orange County.

The company stated that individuals who were affected between May 21 and May 26 can verify their eligibility and submit claims through its website.

The program is designed for those who faced mandatory evacuation orders issued by the City of Garden Grove and the Orange County Fire Authority. These orders were a result of a chemical incident at the GKN Aerospace Transparency Systems, Inc. manufacturing plant.

GKN Aerospace indicated that people who lived within the evacuation zone during the five-day period or immediately before it may file a claim. Businesses that operated within the same area during that timeframe are also eligible for compensation.

Applicants must provide proof of residence to participate in the program.

The compensation covers costs for lodging, meals, transportation, lost wages, and business interruption. The company noted that there are limits to these payments, including a cap of $300 per night for lodging reimbursement. This allowance is available for up to five nights per residence.

Between 13,000 and 17,000 homes were evacuated during the incident that began on May 21. The evacuations were ordered due to the threat of an explosion and a resulting toxic cloud. A public map of the potential explosion radius identified the specific areas affected by the hazard.

The claim program launched two weeks after GKN Aerospace reached a $125 million conciliation agreement with the Orange County government. That civil case settlement included the newly launched claim program and more than $8.4 million for emergency response and mitigation costs. The settlement also requires a safety and monitoring plan with oversight by an external expert on GKN's operations for at least the next seven years. A judge approved that plan last week.