Limetree Bay Refinery Settlement, Check If You Qualify — Boynes v. Limetree Bay, Nos. 2021-0253, et al.

There’s a $59,795,000 settlement fund waiting — if you lived, worked, owned property, or were simply present in western St. Croix between February 3 and May 26, 2021. The companies behind the Limetree Bay Refinery’s failed restart agreed to pay out after four toxic chemical release incidents forced the refinery to shut down. You have until November 3, 2026 to file.

More related cases: how mass environmental contamination cases like this one move through court

Limetree Bay Refinery Settlement — Key Facts

Field	Detail
Settlement Amount	$59,795,000 (Gross Settlement Fund, non-reversionary)
Claim Deadline	November 3, 2026 — a strict deadline
Who Qualifies	People who owned/rented property in western St. Croix on or after February 3, 2021, or who lived, worked, owned a business, or were present there from February 3 to May 26, 2021
Estimated Payout	Calculated by a pro rata point system — no fixed dollar amount per person
Proof Required	Yes — documentation of property damage, health impact, or losses supports a higher point total
Settlement Status	Preliminarily approved; final approval hearing pending
Court & Case Number	U.S. District Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Croix — Nos. 2021-0253, 2021-0259, 2021-0260, 2021-0261
Law Alleged	Property damage, nuisance, trespass, economic loss, and health-related tort claims
Administrator	Limetree Bay Settlement Administrator, PO Box 2420, Portland, OR 97208-2420 — 1-888-859-9973
Official Claim Site	LimetreeBaySettlement.com
Last Updated	September 17, 2026

Who Are the Settling Defendants and Why Are They Being Sued for This?

Limetree Bay Refinery, on the western side of St. Croix, attempted to restart operations in February 2021 after years offline. Within days, the plant’s flare system malfunctioned, and over the following months it released hazardous gases and chemicals into surrounding communities on four separate occasions before regulators forced it to shut down. Seven groups of companies tied to the refinery’s ownership, financing, and operations — including ArcLight Capital Partners, Freepoint Commodities, and several contractors who worked on the restart — agreed to settle. All of them deny wrongdoing.

What Happened at the Limetree Bay Refinery Between February and May 2021?

The lawsuits describe four specific release incidents: February 4, April 23, May 5, and May 12, 2021. Plaintiffs say the failed restart caused the emission, release, and discharge of hazardous and toxic chemicals, substances, gases, and odors that damaged property, interfered with residents’ use of their land, and caused physical and emotional health effects, plus expenses nobody got reimbursed for. The Settling Defendants deny all of it, and no court has ruled on who’s right — the case settled instead of going to trial.

Here’s the detail that matters if you’re trying to understand the full picture: not everyone connected to the refinery settled. Limetree Bay Terminals (doing business as Ocean Point Terminals), Limetree Bay Refining, and BP Products North America remain defendants in the ongoing litigation. This $59.8 million settlement resolves claims only against the seven groups listed above — the case against the non-settling defendants continues separately, and this settlement doesn’t affect your right to pursue those claims.

Who Qualifies for the Limetree Bay Settlement?

Here’s exactly how to know if this case includes you. You’re a class member if either of these applies:

• You owned or rented property — real or personal — in western St. Croix on or after February 3, 2021
• You resided in, worked in, owned or operated a business in, or were simply present in western St. Croix at any point from February 3, 2021 through May 26, 2021

The “Affected Geographic Area” is specifically the western portion of St. Croix, bounded by 64.74 degrees West Longitude and the sea — a map is posted on the settlement website if you’re unsure which side of that line you fall on.

Who does NOT qualify: people who lived, worked, or owned property only in eastern St. Croix, or anywhere outside the mapped Affected Geographic Area, during the relevant window.

St. Croix Residents Near the Boundary — Are You Still Covered?

If you’re not sure whether your address falls inside the Affected Geographic Area, don’t guess. Check the Settlement Map at LimetreeBaySettlement.com or call the administrator at 1-888-859-9973 before deciding not to file.

Not sure if you qualify for the Limetree Bay refinery settlement? A free consultation with a product liability attorney or local St. Croix counsel — Lee J. Rohn & Associates, Colianni and Leonard, and Dema Law are all listed as class counsel on the settlement notice — can help you sort out your eligibility before the deadline.

How Much Can Limetree Bay Settlement Class Members Get?

There’s no flat number here, and anyone telling you otherwise is guessing. Payments come from a pro rata point system: the settlement administrator scores every valid claim on property damage — including contamination of water cisterns — nuisance, trespass, economic losses, physical and emotional health effects, and out-of-pocket expenses tied to the release incidents. Your payment depends on your points relative to the total points awarded across every eligible claimant.

What Pro-Rata Means for Your Limetree Bay Check

More points awarded across the whole class, and a smaller share goes to each point. The fund first covers claims administration costs, up to one-third (33%) of the fund in attorneys’ fees plus expenses, and service awards of up to $5,000 for each class representative — then what’s left is divided by points. Documentation strengthens your point total, so gather what you have: repair estimates, medical records, receipts for anything you paid out of pocket because of the releases.

You can file more than one claim if you’re covering different family members, but you can’t recover twice for the same damage. One adult can file for their spouse and minor children on a single form — but every other adult in the household needs to file their own.

How to File Your Limetree Bay Settlement Claim — Step by Step

1. Go to LimetreeBaySettlement.com and open the electronic Claim Form, or fill out the paper version
2. Enter your name, address, and details about your presence or property in the Affected Geographic Area
3. Attach documentation for property damage, cistern contamination, health effects, or out-of-pocket losses where you have it
4. Choose your payment method — check, Venmo, Zelle, or ACH
5. Submit online through the HIPAA-compliant portal, or mail to Limetree Bay Settlement Administrator, PO Box 2420, Portland, OR 97208-2420
6. Watch for a deficiency letter — if your form is missing something, you get 21 days to fix it

This is not a five-minute form given the documentation involved, but the deadline doesn’t move: November 3, 2026.

⚠️ Less than 60 days left as of this writing — start gathering your documentation now.

Should Limetree Bay Class Members Opt Out or Object Before October 27, 2026?

What Opting Out of the Limetree Bay Settlement Actually Means

Opting out means you get no payment from this settlement, but you keep any right you have to sue the Settling Defendants on your own. Most people should not opt out without legal advice — a point-based group settlement often pays more reliably than an individual suit against companies already denying liability. The opt-out deadline is October 27, 2026.

How to Object to the Limetree Bay Settlement

Objecting means you stay in the class, can still file a claim, but tell the court you disagree with part of the deal. Written objections must be mailed to the Settlement Administrator at PO Box 2420, Portland, OR 97208-2420, postmarked no later than October 27, 2026, and must include your grounds for objecting and whether you intend to appear at the hearing.

Talk to a class action lawsuit attorney before October 27, 2026, if you’re considering either option.

Limetree Bay Refinery Settlement — Key Dates, 2026

Milestone	Date
Class Period Begins	February 3, 2021
Class Period Ends	May 26, 2021
Opt-Out / Objection Deadline	October 27, 2026
Claim Filing Deadline	November 3, 2026
Final Approval Hearing	December 14, 2026, 9:30 a.m. AST
Expected Payment Date	Within 120 days of the Effective Date (after final approval and any appeals resolve)

Limetree Bay Settlement — Frequently Asked Questions, Nos. 2021-0253, et al.

Do I need a lawyer to file a Limetree Bay settlement claim?

 No, though local St. Croix firms serving as class counsel — Lee J. Rohn & Associates, Colianni and Leonard, and Dema Law — are available to help if your claim involves significant property damage or health documentation.

Is the Limetree Bay refinery settlement legitimate? 

Yes. It resolves real federal litigation, Boynes, et al. v. Limetree Bay Ventures, LLC, et al., Nos. 2021-0253, 2021-0259, 2021-0260, and 2021-0261, pending in the U.S. District Court of the Virgin Islands, with a court-authorized notice.

When will Limetree Bay settlement payments be sent? 

Within 120 days after the Effective Date — meaning after the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved. The final approval hearing is scheduled for December 14, 2026.

What if I missed the Limetree Bay claim deadline?

 Claims must be postmarked or submitted online by November 3, 2026. The notice describes this as a strict deadline, so contact the administrator immediately at 1-888-859-9973 if you’re at risk of missing it.

Will my Limetree Bay settlement payment go on a 1099? 

The notice doesn’t address 1099 reporting directly. Given payments here may be larger than typical consumer settlements, check with a tax professional about how your specific payment should be reported.

Does this settlement cover claims against BP or Limetree Bay Refining? 

No. BP Products North America, Limetree Bay Terminals (Ocean Point Terminals), and Limetree Bay Refining are not part of this settlement. Litigation against them continues separately, and this settlement doesn’t affect your right to pursue those claims.

Can I file a claim for a family member?

 Yes, for your spouse and minor children on one form. Adult children and other adults in your household need to submit their own separate Claim Forms.

Sources Used in This Limetree Bay Refinery Article

• Official Long-Form Notice — Boynes, et al. v. Limetree Bay Ventures, LLC, et al., Nos. 2021-0253, 2021-0259, 2021-0260, 2021-0261 (D.V.I.): https://www.limetreebaysettlement.com/Content/Documents/Long%20Form%20Notice.pdf
• Court Docket Records — Boynes v. Limetree Bay Ventures, LLC, U.S. District Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Croix: https://www.courtlistener.com/opinion/10794761/clifford-boynes-et-al-v-limetree-bay-ventures-llc-et-al-helen/

Researched and written by Israr Ahmad, legal content researcher and founder of AllAboutLawyer.com. All facts verified against the court-authorized Long-Form Notice for Boynes, et al. v. Limetree Bay Ventures, LLC, et al. and public court docket records as of September 17, 2026. Last Updated: September 17, 2026.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. For advice about your specific situation, consult a qualified attorney.