Hearing Set on Lockheed’s $5-Million Settlement Offer

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge has set a Dec. 8 hearing on the proposed $5-million settlement between Lockheed Martin Corp. and more than 300 Burbank residents.

The residents sued the Bethesda, Md.,-based company in 1996, alleging they got sick from toxic chemicals that Lockheed released into the air, soil and ground water while manufacturing airplanes. Lockheed has denied that the releases were sufficient to cause illnesses.

All but two of the plaintiffs have accepted the settlement in return for dismissing their lawsuits against the aerospace company.

Plaintiff Lynnell Murray-Madrid said she and her sister, Erin Baker, rejected Lockheed’s offer and plan to continue fighting the giant defense contractor in court.

“I just want them to be accountable for what they did to us,” Murray-Madrid said.

Meanwhile, Lockheed officials are pleased that most plaintiffs have agreed to settle.

“We accomplished all of our objectives,” spokeswoman Gail E. Rymer said, “and we’re pleased that it appears to be over.”