This Hanford trial has been delayed again. It will be 3 years

A Richland trial in the Hanford chemical vapors lawsuit has been delayed to more than three years after the case was filed.

U.S. Judge Thomas Rice on Thursday moved the trial date from Aug. 29, 2018, to Nov. 26, 2018.

The delay of about three months was requested by plaintiffs and defendants in the lawsuit to give them more time to work toward a settlement.

Although there is still plenty of time before the August 2018 trial date, the parties need to meet deadlines set by the court to prepare for trial.

Those deadlines also have been extended, with the next deadline on Feb. 7.

The state of Washington, Hanford Challenge and the pipefitters union Local 598 sued the Department of Energy and its tank farm contractor in September 2015. They are seeking better protection for Hanford workers at risk of inhaling chemical vapors.

This story was originally published December 14, 2017 at 10:12 PM with the headline "This Hanford trial has been delayed again. It will be 3 years."