Published in the Asbury Park Press
An Asbury Park Press editorial
The various parties to the settlement that will bring money to 69 Dover Township families of children stricken with cancer say the agreement benefits everyone. Money will go to families of long-ailing children. Two chemical companies and a water provider admit no liability for the childhood cancer cases. Protracted litigation forcing families to relive their youngsters' painful lives in court is avoided.
But there will be no real winners in this case until the cause of these cancers is determined. And that might never happen.
However, this settlement may play a role. The information exchanged between the families and representatives of the Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp., Union Carbide Corp. and United Water Toms River may contribute to finding the answer. It is doubtful that exchange would have been as open and complete in the adversarial setting of a lawsuit.
Meanwhile, the long official investigation into the cancer cases reaches milestone tomorrow with the release of the epidemiological study.
The settlement encourages those involved in the childhood cancer cases to focus on the future. It may not be closure for the parents of these children, but they have shared their experiences to help ensure a healthier future.
Jan Schlictmann, one of the families' lawyers, said the settlement "honored their tragedy and . . . encouraged respect for themselves and the companies." Schlictmann is no newcomer to environmental contamination cases. He gained national fame in the Massachusetts drinking water-leukemia case documented in the book and movie "A Civil Action."
Although the agreement offers a form of closure to the companies, they cannot walk away from the case either. Ciba, for one, is concentrating on remediation of its site, which is on the federal Superfund list.
These companies have committed decades to this area as corporate citizens and employers. Through this settlement, they have made a further commitment to the good health of its residents. They must see that the information gathered with the families is developed to meet that goal.
Published on December 17, 2001
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