Claims Deadline Approaches for West Virginia Chemical Spill

Time is running out for residents and businesses affected by a January chemical spill in Charleston, W. Va., to file claims in federal bankruptcy court.

Claims must be filed with U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Charleston by Friday. Forms can be obtained and filed on the court’s website.

Business losses must be accompanied by documentation, while residents don’t need such documentation for personal damage.

The Jan. 9 spill at Freedom Industries’ plant along the Elk River caused a tap-water ban for 300,000 people for days.

Dozens of individuals and businesses sued Freedom. Those legal cases were frozen when Freedom filed for bankruptcy protection eight days after the spill.

Legal observers do not believe there will much money left in Freedom for claims after the bankruptcy proceedings.