Daños asociados a la exposición al DMS

Como se ha explicado anteriormente, el olor se ha asociado con el gas DMS. La exposición al DMS se ha asociado con lo siguiente:

• Dolores de cabeza
• Mareos
• Náuseas y vómitos
• Tos
• Falta de aliento
• Irritación grave de las vías respiratorias
• Úlceras en la mucosa (en la nariz)
• Úlceras en la garganta
• Coma
• Edema pulmonar (acumulación de líquido en los pulmones)

Si usted o su familia viven cerca del vertedero y han sufrido alguno de estos síntomas, podrían tener motivos para presentar una demanda. Para obtener más información sobre las opciones legales a su disposición, póngase en contacto con nosotros hoy mismo. Nuestros abogados de Downtown L.A. Law Group están más que preparados para ofrecerle la orientación que necesita para presentar su demanda.

Responsabilidad de la conexión de residuos

Waste Connections, los dueños y operadores del Vertedero Chiquita Canyon, ciertamente pueden ser responsabilizados por cualquier daño asociado con el mal manejo de su vertedero. Estas empresas que son conocidas por liberar gases y otras toxinas en el medio ambiente siempre deben adherirse a las regulaciones y deben responder adecuadamente a cualquier queja que surja. Según los informes, los residentes han presentado miles de quejas, pero West Connection no ha hecho nada. Dado que los operadores eran conscientes del problema pero no lo abordaron, pueden ser declarados responsables de cualquier daño sufrido por los vecinos.

¿Puedo demandar a Waste Connection por el olor proveniente del Vertedero Chiquita Canyon? Yes, you could have grounds to sue. In fact, you could even participate in a class action lawsuit.

Chiquita Canyon Landfill Class Action Lawsuit

Considering how many residents have possibly been affected by the smell caused by the DMS at the landfill, it is likely that a class action lawsuit will arise. Class action lawsuits are common in situation in which multiple parties are harmed in a similar way. Therefore, any residents that suffered symptoms, health complications, and other damages, could have grounds to participate in a class action lawsuit. If you are interested in learning more about what you can do to participate in a class action lawsuit on this case, contact us today. Our class action landfill injury lawyers are ready to help you with your claim.

Conditions at Chiquta Canyon Landfill Worsen

Even though the landfill operators are getting pressure from the community and from different environmental agencies, the operator is not doing enough to remedy the situation. According to the South Coast AQMD, conditions at the landfill are almost volcanic, and, recently, a white vapor has been observed hissing through cracks in the reaction zone.

Operators have been unable to contain the fire and pressure buildup within the landfill. This has left vapor hissing from surface fissures, bubbling ponds at the surface, and sometimes even hot liquid bursting into the air. Reportedly, local air and water samples have identified elevated levels of benzene. Benzene is a cancer-causing chemical (often found in cigarettes) that evaporates easily; once evaporated, this chemical is reaching nearby communities. Benzene has been linked to cancer; exposure to high levels of benzene has been associated with irritation to the lungs, dizziness, and headaches.

On October 7, 2023, one of the landfills’ community monitoring stations detected benzene at 69.5 parts per billion – which is more than eight times the limit. Even though the landfill obtained these results in early November, this information was not released to the AQMD until weeks later.

At least 900 households in the communities surrounding the landfill have been affected. Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger called the landfill owners to take immediate steps to address the odors and to relocate the affected residents until they can resolve the issue. This call to action came after a health study that determined that the toxic fumes coming from the landfill could result in short-term health effects but not in a long-term cancer risk. Of course, members of the community were not happy with these findings. Barger expressed that it has been over eight months since the incident started and that the fact that the community is suffering is undeniable. She also stated that residents should not be expected to live in such conditions.

Affected community members believe that the report downplays the problem. One resident claims that she has suffered from difficulty breathing and disorientation due to the odors; she also claims that even though her symptoms may not give her cancer, they have effectively stolen her life and the life of other residents. Another resident claims that the odors have trapped her indoors; she no longer gardens, hikes local trails, or even hosts her grandchildren. She claims that her quality of life is gone.

Now that the Los Angeles County Supervisor has pushed for a resolution in favor of affected residents, the community is hopeful that the landfill operators will finally take action to put an end to the nightmare that they have been living in.

The Environmental Protection Agency Gets Involved

As time passes, the situation simply does not get any better. Now, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has gotten involved. On Thursday, February 22, 2024, the EPA stated (in a news release) that the situation at the landfill “presents imminent and substantial endangerment to nearby communities” and that the landfill operators should “take immediate steps to protect human health and environment.” The EPA issued an order that requires the landfill to “mitigate off-site community impacts caused by odors and hazardous waste leachate and to contain and reduce the smoldering or reaction event occurring at the landfill.” They also highlighted that, just a week prior, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control issued multiple violations, which included violations for the failure “to make a proper waste determination, [for the disposal] of hazardous waste at an unauthorized facility, and [for the failure] to minimize the possibility of release of hazardous waste or hazardous waste constituents,” according to the news release.

For some, this comes as a surprise as the health study (mentioned previously) reportedly found that the odors coming from the landfill were not representing a true danger to residents.

Still, residents do not believe that things will get better – even now that the EPA has gotten involved. In fact, now residents are protesting and calling for the landfill to be shut down. Of course, residents are fed up with the situation. Most of them claim that their quality of life has decreased substantially and that the only solution is for the landfill to close permanently.

Federal regulators are calling the landfill an “imminent danger.” Things continue to stagnate, so much that LA County Supervisor Barger has said that she “lost faith” in the landfill’s management. She has officially called on state officials to step in and help with the decision to close the landfill for the public health risk it poses to the community.

Residents continue to complain of the pungent odors coming from the landfill; they claim that the odors have been making them gag and even vomit. Residents have filed two lawsuits urging the landfill to stop operations immediately. As time continues to pass with no remedy, some are concerned that shutting down the landfill would not solve the problem and rather create other issues.

In addition to Supervisor Barger, another official calling for the landfill to close include Assemblymember Chris Holden. U.S. Representative Mike Garcia has called for landfill operations to pause until there is a plan in place to reduce or completely eliminate health risks.

Jane Williams, executive director of California Communities Against Toxics stated that closing the landfill will not “do anything to help with the existing problem.” The underground chemical reaction is occurring in an area of the landfill that has been closed off for decades, so closing the landfill would not necessarily stop the reaction – and the odors coming from it.

Of course, Waste Connections, the operators of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, are against the proposed closure. In a statement, they said that “calls to close the landfill are misguided as [a closure] would have no effect on the ongoing [reaction].” They also highlighted that the Chiquita Canyon Landfill is the second largest landfill in the county, so a closure could affect “the County’s ability to safely and quickly gather, process, and dispose of thousands of tons of waste, six days a week.”

In addition to Chiquita Canyon Landfill, the largest landfills in the county include Sunshine Canyon Landfill, School Canyon Landfill, Calabasas Landfill, Lancaster Landfill, and the Antelope Valley Recycling and Disposal Facility. Sure, these landfills could take on the extra waste in the event of a closure, but garbage trucks would have to drive longer distances – which brings up environmental concerns related to fuel usage and pollution. In addition, some of these landfills are also facing community backlash. For years, the Sunshine Canyon Landfill has faced reports from the community for odors radiating from the landfill; some are worried that a potential solution for the situation at Chiquita Canyon Landfill would actually worsen the situation at Sunshine Canyon Landfill.

The situation is still developing. As more lawsuits arise, both the operator and county officials are trying to find a solution. Although solutions are not coming soon enough for residents.

The Situation at Chiquita Canyon is Considered an Imminent Danger – Is Closure Really the Solution?

Federal regulators are calling the landfill an “imminent danger.” Things continue to stagnate, so much that LA County Supervisor Barger has said that she “lost faith” in the landfill’s management. She has officially called on state officials to step in and help with the decision to close the landfill for the public health risk it poses to the community.

Residents continue to complain of the pungent odors coming from the landfill; they claim that the odors have been making them gag and even vomit. Residents have filed two lawsuits urging the landfill to stop operations immediately. As time continues to pass with no remedy, some are concerned that shutting down the landfill would not solve the problem and rather create other issues.

In addition to Supervisor Barger, another official calling for the landfill to close include Assemblymember Chris Holden. U.S. Representative Mike Garcia has called for landfill operations to pause until there is a plan in place to reduce or completely eliminate health risks.

Jane Williams, executive director of California Communities Against Toxics stated that closing the landfill will not “do anything to help with the existing problem.” The underground chemical reaction is occurring in an area of the landfill that has been closed off for decades, so closing the landfill would not necessarily stop the reaction – and the odors coming from it.

Of course, Waste Connections, the operators of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, are against the proposed closure. In a statement, they said that “calls to close the landfill are misguided as [a closure] would have no effect on the ongoing [reaction].” They also highlighted that the Chiquita Canyon Landfill is the second largest landfill in the county, so a closure could affect “the County’s ability to safely and quickly gather, process, and dispose of thousands of tons of waste, six days a week.”

In addition to Chiquita Canyon Landfill, the largest landfills in the county include Sunshine Canyon Landfill, School Canyon Landfill, Calabasas Landfill, Lancaster Landfill, and the Antelope Valley Recycling and Disposal Facility. Sure, these landfills could take on the extra waste in the event of a closure, but garbage trucks would have to drive longer distances – which brings up environmental concerns related to fuel usage and pollution. In addition, some of these landfills are also facing community backlash. For years, the Sunshine Canyon Landfill has faced reports from the community for odors radiating from the landfill; some are worried that a potential solution for the situation at Chiquita Canyon Landfill would actually worsen the situation at Sunshine Canyon Landfill.

What If I was an Employee in the Area?

Can I file a lawsuit if I was an employee working in the area? This is a very important question. As mentioned above, residents may certainly have the right to file a lawsuit against the landfill operators for any harm that they suffered due to the fumes coming from the landfill. Employees and workers employed in the area may also have the same right. This may include employees of any local establishments, like convenient stores, gas stations, schools, post offices, and more. If you were employed anywhere in the surrounding communities that have been determined to be affected by the fumes coming from the landfill, then you could have grounds to file a claim for any resulting harm. Even if you are not a resident of the affected communities but were constantly in these communities for work, you may have suffered harm. If you have experienced any of the symptoms discussed above because of exposure to toxic fumes during your workday, it is important that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible.

What if I am a landfill employee? If you are a landfill employee, you may actually have the right to file a workers compensation claim. If your employer is not cooperating and unfairly denies your claim, you may need the help of a workers compensation lawyer.

¿Puedo obtener una indemnización?

Sí, puede optar a una indemnización por los daños sufridos por usted o su familia. Aunque cada reclamación es diferente, los demandantes podrían recibir indemnización por gastos médicos, pérdida de salario, dolor y sufrimiento, daños materiales y honorarios de abogados. ¿A cuánto puedo aspirar? ¿Por cuánto puede resolverse este caso? Class action lawsuits tend to be high-value cases because of the multiple claimants in the case. In general, class action lawsuits can be worth up to $50 million, although the exact value of the Chiquita Canyon landfill class action lawsuit will be based on the facts. For a more detailed review of possible case value and what you could be awarded, we urge you to reach out to our experts here at our law firm.

Contacte hoy con Downtown L.A. Law Group

Nuestro equipo legal está más que listo para proporcionarle la orientación que necesita para entender sus derechos y tomar medidas. Nuestro equipo no teme enfrentarse a cualquier parte o entidad para garantizar que nuestros clientes obtengan justicia. Usted puede confiar en que nuestro equipo está listo para luchar agresivamente por sus derechos y obtener la máxima recuperación disponible para su reclamo. Para seguir siendo accesible a todos, nuestro equipo ofrece servicios legales gratuitos. Estos incluyen consultas gratuitas y segundas opiniones gratuitas. Durante estos servicios legales gratuitos, nuestros abogados expertos estarán disponibles para responder a todas las preguntas, abordar todas las preocupaciones y proporcionarle toda la orientación que necesita para comenzar o continuar su reclamación contra los propietarios del vertedero. Si está interesado en hablar con nuestros abogados sobre cómo puede iniciar o continuar su reclamación después de haberla iniciado en otro lugar, póngase en contacto con nosotros hoy mismo.

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Nuestro equipo está preparado para tramitar su reclamación y ayudarle a conseguir la indemnización que le corresponde. Póngase en contacto con nosotros lo antes posible.

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