ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION CLASS ACTIONS

These are difficult cases, but we are fighting to make a difference. We have worked hard to gain a reputation in environmental litigation, often referred to as "toxic torts." Protecting the people and their property from large corporate polluters is our top priority. A unique feature of our growing environmental/toxic tort practice is the ability to represent a large number of people harmed either physically or by damage to their property. Toxic torts litigation poses unique legal challenges because of the complex scientific and technical issues frequently addressed, and because of the overlapping authority of numerous administrative agencies and courts at the local, State and Federal levels. Shabel & DeNittis was lead counsel in the following successfully litigated environmental class actions listed below:

$5,100,000 - Carnival V. Waste Management Inc. - Civil Action No. 97 5122

A $5,100,000 settlement paid by Waste Management, Inc. for the property devaluation of approximately 2,000 property owners due to the alleged negligent operations of a municipal waste dump. September 1998.

$1,450,000 - Staub, et al. v. Hoeganaes BUR-L-2080-03

On August 16th, 2006, Judge Bell granted preliminary approval for a $1.45 million class action settlement for industrial emissions damaging boat windows. Glen and Marilyn Staub of Burlington claimed that particulate iron from Hoeganaes Corporation plant in Riverton caused deterioration of transparent sheet windows called Isinglass on their motorboat. They sued on behalf of all owners of boats that were docked at five nearby marinas that had similar damage to their windows. The settlement provided boat owners with compensation ranging between $325 to $1,330 depending on the boat's size, window repairs and other factors. Docket Number BUR-L-2080-03. August 2006.