Ethics Newsline®

NEW YORK
A federal judge last week dismissed a lingering lawsuit over Union Carbide’s deadly gas leak in Bhopal, India, in 1984, saying the firm has done enough and too much time has passed.

The suit was filed in 1999 by a woman who said she became sick after moving near the Union Carbide plant, where a toxic gas leak killed 4,000 people on the evening of December 2, 1984.

More than 20,000 others were injured by the leak, and more than 14,400 ultimately died from illnesses caused by the gas leak, which Union Carbide said was the result of sabotage by a disgruntled worker.

Last week, U.S. District Judge John Keenan said Union Carbide no longer should be held accountable for claims stemming from the disaster, reported the Associated Press.

The company, which owned a slight majority in the plant in 1984, paid a $470 million settlement and sold its ownership in 1994, using the proceeds to build a hospital in Bhopal.

“This contribution goes far to satisfy any further obligation defendants have to citizens of Bhopal,” Judge Keenan said, dismissing the suit last week.

Lawyers for the plaintiff said they have not decided yet whether to appeal.