Environmental disaster predicted to trigger as much litigation as the BP Deepwater Horizon spill.
Since the problem was first detected on October 23, 2015, a leaking gas well in Aliso Canyon, California has spewed an estimated 80,000 metric tons of methane into the air. Now, many experts are drawing parallels between this massive gas leak and the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. Both incidents caused extensive environmental contamination, and in both cases, corporate negligence contributed significantly to the magnitude of the damage.
Gas Well Operator Faces Criminal Charges
The Los Angeles District Attorney has already filed a criminal lawsuit against Southern California Gas, alleging negligence in their handling of the incident. For starters, the company should have replaced a safety valve in the well that broke way back in 1979. While having the valve in place would not have prevented the leak, it would have allowed the leak to be stopped very quickly and prevented a great deal of environmental damage. Southern California Gas is also facing criminal misdemeanor charges for failing to report the gas leak to state officials for three days.
Possible EPA Action
Federal prosecutors and the EPA are currently investigating the possibility of bringing federal charges against Southern California Gas, as well as pursuing civil action under the Clean Air Act.
In a way, the EPA’s job here is more difficult than it was in the Deepwater Horizon case because of an important difference between the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. Whereas the Clean Water Act already set the penalty for spilling oil in the sea due to gross negligence at $4,300 per barrel, the Clean Air Act contains no such provision. The amount of damages appropriate per unit of methane released will have to be settled in court as part of any action against the gas company.
Thousands of Individuals May File Personal Injury Claims
The methane gas released by the Aliso Canyon leak contains toxic additives which can make people sick. And because the leak occurred right in the backyard of the community of Porter Ranch, many people have undoubtedly been affected. About 5,000 homes were evacuated, and already at least 65 personal injury lawsuits have been filed against Southern California Gas. Attorneys involved with the cases say they expect claims to rise into the hundreds or even thousands, and it is likely these claims will be consolidated into one proceeding.
Injured Due to Corporate Negligence?
If you have been injured by the negligence of a company or their employee, it is important to understand that you may very well be entitled to compensation. Call 909-982-0707 for an appointment to discuss your case with an experienced personal injury attorney.
