Delta Airlines settles lawsuit for $79M over fuel dumped onto homes and schools in Southeast LA

After five years of negotiations, Delta Air Lines has agreed to pay $78.75 million to resolve a class action lawsuit stemming from a 2020 jet fuel dump that affected tens of thousands of SoCal properties, particularly homes and schools in Southeast L.A. County.

On Jan. 14, 2020, Delta pilots flying from Los Angeles to Shanghai released about 15,000 gallons of fuel after a plane malfunction. The jet, which was carrying more than 100 passengers, returned to LAX after dumping the fuel to avoid an emergency landing.

The fuel affected an estimated 160,000 residents — including students and staff members at Park Avenue Elementary School in Cudahy, many of whom were on the playground when they were doused. At Park Avenue alone, 20 children and 11 adults reported injuries. Injuries were also