By Pam Easton
The Associated Press

BEAUMONT, Texas - Critics of a proposed $149 million deal that would settle 30 class-action lawsuits against Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire packed a courtroom Wednesday to oppose the agreement. They asked a judge to allow changes before approving it.

State District Judge Donald Floyd said he would decide within a month whether to approve, reject or allow revisions to the settlement, which comes more than three years after the 2000 recall of 14.4 million Firestone tires.

"This is a complete illusionary deal," said attorney Mitchell Toups, who asked Floyd to allow objectors 60 days to improve the settlement so it would offer additional compensation to people who owned Firestone tires but did not suffer personal injury or property damage.

Company officials say the settlement, which could affect 15 million people and about 60 million tires, is good for all parties.

"This is a large settlement, and it is one we think is fair and in the best interest of everyone," said Marina Marich, spokeswoman for the Nashville, Tenn.-based tire maker.

The court received 110 written objections, and more than two dozen lawyers showed up Wednesday to voice their discontent.

But lawyers for the tire maker and class-action representative Terri Shields said they would not negotiate with those opposed to the agreement, which the tire maker agreed to in July.

Mike Caddell, an attorney who has handled Firestone class-action suits and opposes the plan, said the company is trying to pass off actions already planned or promised in other litigation as compensation.

Marich said the settlement consists entirely of new initiatives.

It calls for Firestone to pay an estimated $70 million to replace tires, $41 million to manufacture certain tires with materials that would perform better at high speeds, $15.5 million on a consumer education campaign and $19 million for attorneys' fees. The company also has paid $3.5 million to notify class members of the settlement plan.

The 45 named plaintiffs each could receive up to $2,500. Those who are not named qualify to have their tires replaced, Marich said.