Judge denies class action status in leak case

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) -- A federal judge has denied class-action status to those suing a rail company and others over a 2012 train derailment that leaked a hazardous gas into the air in New Jersey.

U.S. District Judge Robert Kugler denied the class action motion in a ruling on Wednesday.

More than 140 people and businesses are suing Conrail and others for damages related to the November 2012 rail accident that released vinyl chloride in Paulsboro.

In a written opinion, Kugler finds that the plaintiffs do not meet the legal requirements of class certification, including that there are enough people who qualify.

Many residents of Paulsboro have already accepted settlements from Conrail.

The individual lawsuits against the rail company can continue.

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