Judge gives final approval to $20M settlement with levee boards over Katrina flood damage

Judge approves $20M settlement over Katrina damage

NEW ORLEANS — A federal judge has given final approval to a $20 million settlement of class-action lawsuits against several Louisiana levee boards. The suits were filed on behalf of about 500,000 homeowners whose property was damaged by Hurricane Katrina’s flood waters.

Plaintiffs’ lawyer Joseph Bruno said a court-appointed “special master” will decide how to distribute proceeds from the settlement with the Orleans, East Jefferson and Lake Borgne parishes.

Bruno says he doesn’t know how many property owners will benefit from the settlement. He also says an appeal could delay the process.

U.S. District Judge Stanwood Duval gave final approval of the deal on Wednesday. The settlement doesn’t involve separate claims against the Army Corps of Engineers over damage from levee failures.