COURT APPROVES GKN CLAIMS PROGRAM AND SAFETY PLAN

The Orange County Superior Court has approved a claims program of up to $100 million for eligible people and businesses affected by the May evacuation, along with a safety plan for GKN Aerospace's (GKN) Garden Grove facility. GKN remains subject to all applicable City laws, orders and regulatory requirements, which are not replaced by the court-approved safety plan.

"Court approval must now be followed by action," said Garden Grove Mayor Stephanie Klopfenstein. "We expect GKN to begin accepting claims promptly and make the process accessible to those affected. The company must also meet its safety obligations to protect our community and its employees."

The approved safety plan requires upgrades to chemical storage and handling systems, along with improved operating and emergency procedures and employee training. Independent annual audits will assess compliance.

GKN has not yet announced when it will begin accepting claims. Application instructions will be available on a dedicated claims website when the program opens, with support in English, Spanish, Vietnamese and Korean.

An independent administrator will review claims for qualifying expenses and losses within specified limits, including: lodging, meals, transportation, lost wages and loss of use. Eligible businesses may also seek compensation for lost profits.

GKN will host an Oct. 27 community meeting about the claims program. Additional meeting details will be announced by the company.

The City of Garden Grove will continue sharing verified information about the claims program and safety requirements. For GKN updates and to sign up for notifications, visit www.gkngg.com. City information regarding the incident is available at www.ggcity.org/hazmat-incident.