2012 chemical spill at Garfield Park pool cost city $170K in claims

It appears Indy Parks has settled the last of several lawsuits following a chemical spill at one of its pools.

INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - It appears Indy Parks has settled the last of several lawsuits following a chemical spill at one of its pools.

That spill happened four years ago at the Garfield Aquatic Center and sent dozens of people to the hospital. Court documents indicate the 2012 spill cost that city at least $170,556.

It happened June 21, 2012. More than 70 people were treated after being exposed to chlorine bleach. Their symptoms ranged from nausea and vomiting to burning eyes and trouble breathing.

Indy Parks attributed the problem to the pool's mechanical system. OSHA cited the city with several violations.

Initially, 44 people filed claims against the city. Sixteen of them settled for a total of $33,456 within the first year, but others held out.

In one of the later settlements, nine people, including several children, settled for a total of $72,100. In another settlement, signed in March of this year, two people received a total of $65,000 from the city.

Under the terms of the agreements, no one involved in the cases can discuss them.

The last two settlements have come to light as the city reconciles its books after paying out the last of the claims, a technicality the council must sign off on.

Indy Parks also settled two other claims stemming from incidents at the Chuck Klein Sports Park and along the Fall Creek Trail. One occurred in 2011, the other 2012. The combined payout was $140,000.