The first federal trial on lawsuits seeking damages from the Tennessee Valley Authority’s huge coal ash spill is set to start.
A bench trial on six lawsuits starts Thursday before U.S. District Judge Thomas Varlan in Knoxville.
The lawsuits seek damages from a Dec. 22, 2008, TVA dam collapse that spilled 5.4 million cubic yards of sludge. The spill ruptured a natural gas line, disrupted power and transportation, ruined three homes and forced a nearby residential community on the Emory River to evacuate.
The lawsuits contend the nation’s largest public utility was negligent in constructing, maintaining and inspecting the earthen dam at the coal-fired Kingston Plant.
Other lawsuits are set for trial in November.
Hundreds of people who feel the spill cost them have stakes in the court fight.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
China Bans Hidden Car Door Handles in World-First Safety Policy 
Charges Dropped Against ‘Poster Boy’ Contractor Accused of Insurance Fraud 
LA County Told to Pause $4B in Abuse Payouts as DA Probes Fraud Claims 
FM Using AI to Elevate Claims to Deliver More Than Just Cost Savings 
Want to stay up to date?
Get the latest insurance news
sent straight to your inbox.