The Court ordered this notice because you have the right to know about a proposed settlement of a class action lawsuit, and about your options. The Court has granted final approval to the settlement, and the Claims Administrator appointed by the Court will make the payments that the settlement allows. The notice explains the lawsuit, the settlement, your legal rights, what benefits are available, who is eligible for them, and how to get them. The Court in charge of the case is the United States District Court for the District of North Dakota. The case is known as Mehl v. Canadian Pacific Railway, Limited, Case No. A4-02-009.

A Canadian Pacific train derailed on January 18, 2002. The crash caused a massive cloud of anhydrous ammonia to blanket the town of Minot, North Dakota, and its residents.

In a class action lawsuit, one or more people or entities like you, called Class Representatives sue on behalf of people who have similar claims. All of these people together are a "Class" or "Class Members." One court resolves the issues for all Class Members, except for those who exclude themselves from the Class.

The Court has decided that this lawsuit is a class action and may go ahead to trial as a class action, because it meets the requirements of Rule 23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, which govern class actions in federal courts.

No. The Court dismissed this case in March 2006, finding that people injured by a railroad’s negligence could not seek a legal remedy. Plaintiff’s appealed that decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. While on appeal, the parties agreed to this settlement.

Class members who submit a valid claim will receive a pro rata share of the $7,054,000 settlement fund, after payment of legal fees and costs, including the cost of notifying you of the Settlement and administration of the Settlement, and payment of class representative awards. Class Counsel estimates that the total possible number of Class Members eligible to receive a payment is 10,000. Each approved claim is subject to a maximum of $4,000.

Class Membership is not complicated. To see if you are a member, ask yourself the following series of questions:

The Honorable Daniel L. Hobland held a Fairness Hearing at 9:00 a.m. on October 9, 2007, at 100 SW First Avenue, Minot, North Dakota. At this hearing the Court granted final approval to the Settlement.

No. You did not need to attend the trial, unless you are specifically asked to do so by Class Counsel, the Defendants, or the Court. Class Counsel presented the case for the Plaintiff, and the lawyers for the Defendants presented their defenses.