Legacy Lawsuit Settlements with Oil Companies
Clients with property damaged by oil and gas drilling and exploration often ask about what they can expect to receive in settlement. Although we seek to negotiate a win for our clients, accounting for the costs and risks of litigation, there are certain terms generally expected in the settlement environmental damage lawsuits. Settlement of Oil […]
West Virginia v. EPA and the Environment
On June 30, 2022, the United States Supreme Court issued a decision in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency striking down the EPA’s Clean Power Plan. In so doing the conservative bloc of the Court fired an opening shot at the EPA in particular and all regulatory agencies in general. The case arose when West […]
FIREFIGHTING FOAM CONTAMINATION OF AIRPORTS
Firefighting foam has caused numerous airports to file civil lawsuits to recover damages and costs related to decades of use. U.S. District Richard M. Gergel presides over most of these lawsuits in the AFFF MDL. Judge Gergel is coordinating pretrial matters to prepare for settlement or trial. Airports filed claims relating to per- or polyfluoroalkyl […]
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Camp Lejeune is a Marine Corps base in Jacksonville, North Carolina, established in 1942. The base and surrounding community have a population of approximately 150,000 people. Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune In 1982, the Marine Corps tested drinking water at Camp Lejeune and discovered that two water treatment plants located on the base were contaminated […]
EPA ISSUES NEW PFAS HEALTH ADVISORY
On June 15, 2022, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) released four drinking water health advisories for a class of compounds known as polyfluoroalkyl and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These health advisories are drastically stricter than previous iterations issued in 2016. The EPA also announced it would make available $1 billion in grant funding as […]
AFFF Government Contractor Defense
Aqueous Film Forming Foams (“AFFF”) are used to extinguish petroleum-based fuel and other flammable liquid fires. The AFFF litigation involves injuries sustained as a result of exposure to AFFF containing fluorocarbon molecules. Fluorocarbon molecules contain or may break down into PFAS and PFOS. PFAS and PFOS are “forever chemicals” that never leave the body and […]
Firefighter Exposure Pathways to AFFF
Firefighter exposure to cancer causing chemicals is a serious issue. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large family of man-made chemical compounds that can be found in firefighting foam and turnout gear. Two PFAS compounds, perfluorooctane acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), were often in firefighting aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). These chemicals enter […]
PFAS in Fast Food Packaging
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used chemicals that persist in the environment for very long periods of time earning them the nickname “Forever Chemicals.” PFAS are found in water, air, soil, and food sources all over the world. PFAS have been primarily linked to testicular and kidney cancer, but animal studies also suggest […]
Houston Plant Fire Case Gets Class Cert
A victory in the Wheeler v. Arkema Plant Fire Case in Crosby, TX occurred yesterday. Judge Ellison of the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Texas issued an Order certifying a class of approximately 28,000 people (over 10,000 properties). The full 111-page order can be read here: Arkema Ruling on Class Certification and […]
Am I being exposed to PFOS/PFAS?
Unlike just 5 years ago, most people have now heard about the “Forever Chemicals” known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. These chemicals are more commonly referred to as PFAS. PFAS are widely used in numerous products from food containers to infant car seats. PFAS are known as Forever Chemicals because the components break down extremely […]