Nearly three years after the EQ blast rocked Apex, residents and business owners who were forced out are being compensated.

"For me it was never about the money. It's all about people who are responsible should be held accountable for doing things properly," said resident Denise Hatzidakis.

Hatzidakis had to leave her home and business for two days after the explosion, but she said the aftereffects lasted much longer.

"With the business it was about people not coming to Apex and residents not wanting to go anywhere," Hatzidakis said.

But Hatzidakis wasn't the only one. Attorney Robert Zaytoun said this case was a class action lawsuit involving about 17,000 people in Apex.

On Wednesday, a judge granted preliminary approval for a $7.8 million. People who were forced out of their homes could received up to $750, business owners about $2,200.

"This is an effective way for the every day citizen to hold a large company like EQ accountable," Zaytoun said.

Zaytoun said the town will also benefit from this lawsuit, receiving up to $85,000 of unclaimed cash.

"That is part of the settlement we negotiated because we thought the whole town was disrupted by this potential catastrophic event," Zaytoun said.

The courts will send information to everyone involved explaining how to claim their money. Payments could be in their hands before the end of the year.

Residents must fill out claim forms for their money. To learn more or download a form click here.