Are you and your loved ones suffering from odors that are coming from the Antelope Valley Recycling and Disposal Facility at 1200 City Ranch Rd, Palmdale, California? Do you believe that the problem is caused by poor management and other acts of negligence by the facility operators?
You may have grounds to demand monetary compensation from Waste Management, the company in charge of managing Antelope Valley Landfill. Overwhelming stench and the release of toxic gases have been a problem in Southern California landfills for many years. The health of countless residents has been impacted, and many neighborhoods have had enough. These people are starting to form class action lawsuits and demanding action from the responsible entities.
The landfill injury class action lawyers of Normandie are here to advise you of your rights and legal options. Contact our law firm and schedule a free consultation if you or your family members are struggling with health issues from the stench at Antelope Valley Recycling and Disposal Facility.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$22 Million
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Current Lawsuit against California Landfills
Currently, there is one lawsuit that’s inspiring other Southern California residents who are fed up with the stench from their local landfill. Residents in Castaic and Val Verde are in the process of suing Waste Connections, the owner of Chiquita Canyon Landfill. The facility has received many citations for air quality violations, along with thousands of complaints from local property owners.
Waste Connections has been ordered to minimize the odors emanating from the facility, which are caused by the release of DMS, or dimethyl sulfide. This is an oily substance that’s released by decomposing waste. The source of the problem appears to be an older portion of the landfill that was poorly managed by the previous operators.
According to Waste Management, they have taken the steps recommended by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) to minimize the stench. However, residents say that they are unable to stay outdoors or open their windows due to the putrid smell. Many of these people have developed chronic nosebleeds and asthma attacks, which are associated with high concentrations of DMS.
So far, over 100 residents have joined the class action lawsuit against Chiquita Canyon Landfill. We have no doubt that more lawsuits will follow in the upcoming weeks and months, as it’s clear that little to nothing is being done to protect the public. If you would like more information on suing Antelope Valley Landfill or any other Waste Management facility, contact the offices of Normandie Law Firm.
Injuries from Landfill Gases and Toxic Substances
Poor management at a landfill can result in the release of methane gas, dimethyl sulfide, and other toxic substances. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals or high concentrations of in the air can cause a variety of health conditions, including:
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Headaches
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Nausea and vomiting
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Inflamed mucous membranes, resulting in nosebleeds
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Chronic coughing
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Shortness of breath and other respiratory issues
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Blurred vision
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Speech and memory problems
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Loss of consciousness
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Fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary edema)
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Convulsions
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Death
Filing a Class Action Lawsuit against Antelope Valley Landfill
As someone whose health has been impacted by the smell from Antelope Valley Recycling and Disposal Facility, you have the right to file a lawsuit for monetary damages. Chances are, you are not the only one dealing with respiratory issues, headaches, nose bleeds and other chronic health issues. A class action lawsuit is the sensible solution when many people are affected in similar ways by the same individual or entity. Nevertheless, you should be aware of how these lawsuits work and whether it’s in your best interest to file a lawsuit with other residents.
To discuss the option of joining a landfill violation class action lawsuit, please take some time to meet with one of our legal experts.
What is the Average Value of a Landfill Injury Claim?
An injury claim against Antelope Valley Landfill may be settled for around $2,000,000 to $5,000,000, with the most extreme cases resulting in $10,000,000 settlements. How much you can receive from a lawsuit is based on numerous factors, including the type of lawsuit you are filing. Class action claims can generate 8 to 9-figure payouts, depending on the how many people have joined the lawsuit. But you have to keep in mind that each class member receives a percentage of the settlement, which may be around $100,000 to $1,500,000.
Toxic fumes and chemicals released from landfills have plagued communities in Southern California for many years. The short-term goal is to obtain compensation for the victims and their loved ones, who have been physically and emotionally traumatized by the unrelenting stench from a local landfill. In the long run, the goal is to shut down these mismanaged facilities and ensure that the companies in charge are punished for their failure to protect the public.
How Long will it Take to Reach a Settlement?
It can take 6 to 24 months to settle a lawsuit for injuries caused by a landfill, though a more realistic timeline is 1 to 2 years. We are basing these timelines on similar class action lawsuits against landfill operators. Aside from the time that’s spent on finding injury victims and investigating their claims, it can take over a year to negotiate a favorable settlement on behalf of all the class members.
An Antelope Valley Landfill class action lawsuit to take over 3 years if the case goes to trial, but this is very unlikely. In our experience, over 95% of all landfill operator negligence claims are settled without the need for a trial.
What is the Time Limit to File a Lawsuit?
As a general rule, the statute of limitations for a personal injury or class action lawsuit due to negligence by a landfill operator is 2 years. This time period normally starts from the date of injury, like when you started having symptoms of methane gas exposure, or when you were diagnosed with a specific condition resulting from toxic fumes.
The starting point for the statute of limitations is easy to determine in cases of accidents (car crash, slip and fall, etc.). But it’s a bit more complicated to figure out the discovery date of certain heath symptoms, which is where we can be of help. Just give us a call and speak to a lawyer who can help you determine the amount of time you have for an Antelope Valley Landfill lawsuit.
Contact Our Law Firm
The devastating effects of methane gas and other substances released from a landfill should not be tolerated by communities that live near these dumps and recycling centers. Owners and operators must be held accountable if there is an impact to the health of the residents, which is why people are joining class action lawsuits against Chiquita Canyon and other landfills in Southern California.
Our law firm can help you initiate a claim or join an existing lawsuit with others who are suffering due to negligence by a landfill operator. We have a Zero Fee Guarantee, so our payment is contingent on winning your case and receiving a portion of your settlement. Thus, you pay $0 out of pocket if you decide to hire us as your legal representatives.
Call us today to receive a free case review if you need information on suing Waste Management for health issues caused by the odors at Antelope Valley Landfill. We also have lawyers who can provide you with a free second opinion if you have a lawsuit that’s already in progress.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
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