By JIM BUTLER

Thirteen years after an environmental debacle at Dresser Industries, and five years after the public was notified of its extent, litigation involving several hundred plaintiffs and seemingly that many lawyers is back in federal court Monday.

Claims by two plaintiffs in the stack of those in line went to trial in test last Fall, jurors finding for the defense on all claims.

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are set aside for hearing evidence in a Lafayette courtroom from all parties on their versions of the Most Feasible Plan of corrective action.

Dresser, now in the Baker-Hughes family, says in its MFP that it has spent about $24 million on remediation so far and estimates another three to four to complete its plan.

An annotated timeline:

June 2012 – soil and water contamination toxic release occurs; March 2020 – residents of defined area around plant notified; June 2020  – class action suit filed in state court in Baton Rouge, DEQ subsequently ruled immune to charges; August 2020 – Dresser petition moves case to federal court; Covid disrupts;

September 2023 – Suit ruled not a proper class action, requiring individual litigation; October 2023 – Dresser seeks, gets order requiring each plaintiff claiming personal injury from exposure to TCE or PCE or on behalf of minor to provide from physician list of specific injuries, illnesses or conditions, date first suffered and treated, explanation of exposure and diagnosis with February 2024 deadline;

February 2024 – Deadline extended to May; August 2024 – Court orders both sides in cases to provide their versions of Most Feasible Plan; October 2024 – Dresser submits MFP; plaintiffs seek extension, granted; October 28-November 6, 2024 – “Bellwether” trial of damage claims of two plaintiffs, jury found for defense on all claims; such trials help both sides in such litigation assess their cases; December 2024 – Plaintiffs submit MFP;

April 2025 – Remediation hearing continued at plaintiffs’ request; plaintiffs ask to file supplemental MFP, denied; court notes length of time since cases began; hearing continued to May 19; May 2025 – Hearing re-set for June 30-July 2.