The settlement -- which still must be approved by a federal judge -- follows a four-year legal battle over claims by drivers that their cars would unexpectedly speed up. The defect allegedly caused numerous accidents and four deaths. However, Toyota's settlement involves no admission of fault. While the class-action complaint contended that the unintended acceleration was caused by problems with the cars' electronics, the Japanese firm has argued that driver error, faulty floor mats and stuck accelerator. Via the NYT:

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On Thursday, a federal judge approved the class-action settlement. It will be paid out by companies that made and installed the FEMA trailers, which exposed occupants to dangerous fumes.

According to the AP, "Roughly 55,000 residents of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Texas will be eligible for shares of $37.5 million paid by more than two dozen manufacturers. They also can get shares of a separate $5.1 million settlement with FEMA contractors that installed and maintained the units."

Government tests found dangerously high levels of formaldehyde in hundreds of the trailers. Occupants had complained of health problems including nosebleeds, breathing problems and headaches.

The lead plaintiffs' attorney described the settlement as "modest," and the AP noted that a number of victims are disappointed with the outcome:

"We were told not to look for much," said Anthony Dixon, a New Orleans resident who says he developed asthma while living in a FEMA trailer for two years.

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