A $27 million settlement has been accepted for those affected by last summer's Listeria outbreak, which killed at least 20 people.
The outbreak at a Maple Leaf Foods Inc. Toronto plant triggered the largest meat recall in Canadian history.
Maple Leaf announced Monday that a proposed Canada-wide settlement with several class-action lawsuits has been agreed upon and is awaiting court approval.
Under the terms of the agreement, a $27-million fund will be created. Payouts will range from $750 to $120,000 for those who consumed tainted products and became sick, stated a release from the company.
Under the agreement, $120,000 will be paid to the estates of those who died after consuming the tainted products.
Additional "substantial amounts" will be paid to immediate family members, the release stated.
"Notice costs, administration costs, and class counsel fees and disbursements will be paid out of the Settlement Fund."
The settlement must be approved by courts in Saskatchewan, Ontario and Quebec. Judges must agree that the settlement is fair, reasonable and in the best interest of the members of the class action, the release said.
The settlement affects those who purchased or consumed recalled products between Jan. 1, 2008 and Aug. 31, 2008 -- "if their consumption caused any physical or psychological harm."
The amount paid out to defendants will depend on the severity of their illness, the company said.
