1 of several firms accused of making toxic trailers negotiating deal with hurricane victims

Company negotiating claims of toxic trailer fumes

NEW ORLEANS — One of several trailer manufacturers accused of building government-issued shelters containing hazardous fumes is negotiating a settlement with Gulf Coast hurricane victims.

The settlement talks between Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. and thousands of hurricane victims come even though a jury in September rejected a New Orleans family’s claim they were exposed to dangerous fumes in a trailer made by another manufacturer. Residents claim they were sickened by elevated levels of formaldehyde.

A federal judge agreed Wednesday to postpone a trial for a New Orleans woman’s lawsuit against Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. while settlement talks continue.

Fleetwood sold around 10,5000 trailers to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.