GKN Settlement Reached Includes $100 Million in Relief for Residents and Businesses

The Orange County District Attorney's Office and GKN Aerospace have reached a settlement and submitted it to the Court, which will now review it. The agreement creates a $100 million claims program for eligible individuals and businesses that experienced losses from the May 21, 2026 incident. Read the OCDA press release.

How the Claims Program Works
GKN is prepared to begin accepting claims on October 19, 2026, if the Court approves the judgment before then. Claims will be accepted for six months or until $100 million in claims have been approved, whichever comes first.
An independent administrator and a retired federal judge serving as Special Master will run the program. Administrative costs will not reduce the $100 million available to residents and businesses.

What Residents Can Ask For

• Lodging, up to $300 per night (up to $500 in some cases)
• Meals, $50 per day per person
• Lost wages, up to $500 per day
• A flat $500 per household for loss of use

What Businesses Can Ask For

• Lost profits, up to $5,000 per day
• For multifamily property owners, rent refunds given to displaced tenants

Getting Help and Information
Claims can be filed online or in person. Program materials will be available in English, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese. At least five informational events will be held in the evacuation zone.

Safety Improvements at the Facility
The settlement also requires GKN to complete safety upgrades to its MMA storage tank before restart, followed by ongoing safety requirements, annual audits, District Attorney inspections, and independent monitoring for at least seven years. GKN will pay the monitoring costs. Full details are available in the OCDA press release.