Oil Pollution and Chemical Contamination Risk Prompts New Wave Of Lawsuits From Nearby Residents
Last Updated on June 26, 2017
Important Information
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are no longer investigating this matter. The information here is for reference only. A list of open investigations and lawsuits can be viewed here.
At A Glance
- This Alert Affects
- Residents of towns situated near to oil refineries and other large chemical plants.
- Damages
- These residents may be entitled to compensation for decreased property values, among other damages, if their water or property has been affected by hazardous chemicals such as benzene.
- Company(ies)
- Oil companies such as Shell Oil.
Residents of towns near to refineries and other chemical plants may have legal recourse if their land or water supply has been affected by contamination from the plants. Dangerous chemicals such as the carcinogen benzene have been found in water supplies and land near to oil refineries, and lawsuits on behalf of nearby residents are being considered across the country to recover compensation for the loss of property value, among other damages.
Shell Oil Hit With Lawsuit
In September 2013, an Illinois judge certified a class a local residents who claimed that their property and water had been contaminated by a nearby Shell Oil refinery. Among other things, the plaintiffs claimed that benzene, hexane, toluene and xylene had leaked into air and water near to the plant. The suit alleged that the problem dated back 25 years and stemmed from 18 separate spills. Leaky pipes and inadequate safety and operating procedures were cited as causes for the contamination. In some areas, benzene levels were allegedly found to be 26,000 times the legal limit.
Has Oil Pollution Affected Your Property or Health?
If you believe you have been affected by such contamination, you may be entitled to compensation for a loss in property value. among other damages. Our attorneys are considering potential lawsuits against multiple companies and their investigation is not limited to Shell oil refineries.
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