Agent Orange Settlement OKd

A federal judge today gave final approval to a $180-million settlement in a class-action suit brought by thousands of Vietnam veterans and their families over health damage blamed on the herbicide Agent Orange.

U.S. District Court Judge Jack B. Weinstein awarded $9.2 million in fees and expenses to lawyers in the suit against seven chemical companies. The settlement was reached May 7. Though no procedure has been worked out for distributing the remainder of the money to veterans, Weinstein said he believes “a viable plan for distribution of the funds is possible.”