Yes, you could have the right to participate in a class action lawsuit filed against the operators of the Avenal Regional Landfill. The foul odors and toxic fumes coming from the landfill are affecting the entire community. If you are among the residents or workers of Avenal that have been affected, it is important that you seek legal help as soon as possible. You could have the right to participate in a class action lawsuit along with other individuals who have been affected.

The team here at the Downtown L.A. Law Group is more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to begin or continue your claim. If you are ready to explore the legal options available to you, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team as soon as possible.

Summary of the Situation at the Avenal Regional Landfill

Residents of Avenal, CA have filed a lawsuit against Waste Connections and Madera Disposal Systems alleging an environmental disaster. The landfill is located at 1200 Skyline Blvd, Avenal, CA 93204; this is just 500 feet from the nearest residence. The town of about 14,000 residents all sits within 1.5 miles from the landfill.

According to the recent lawsuit, the odors and gases from the landfill have led to residents experiencing multiple symptoms, including respiratory issues, nosebleeds, headaches, cardiac issues, and more. In addition, the lawsuit alleges that residents have had to stay indoors and evade spending time in their yards in attempts to avoid harmful health effects.

This is just the first lawsuit filed by residents. As more residents come forward, additional class action lawsuits may arise.

Understanding California Law Surrounding Landfill Odors

The state’s nuisance law, or California Civil Code 3479, defines a nuisance as “anything which is injurious to health…or is indecent or offensive to the senses, or an obstruction to the free use of property, so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or property.” In other words, members of the community who are affected by the smells/fumes coming from landfills could pursue claims for any symptoms/harm experienced, as well as for any loss of enjoyment of their properties due to odors. This could be on an individual basis or in a class action lawsuit.

For more information about the state’s nuisance law and your right to pursue a claim, contact our team as soon as possible.

Who Can Participate in a Class Action Lawsuit?

Participating in a class action lawsuit depends on whether a court certifies a defined class and whether you fall within the definition of the class. Some potential class members (those who may be eligible to participate in a class action claim) can include the following:

• Residents living near the landfill who experienced the odors
• Homeowners whose use/enjoyment of their property was affected
• Renters/tenants who lived in the affected area and experienced impacts
• Property owners who claim the odors affected property value or property use
• People who experienced physical symptoms related to the odors
• Businesses or commercial property owners affected by persistent odors
• People within a specific area
• People who experienced odors during a specific time period
• And more

Should I Participate in a Class Action Lawsuit?

Even though you could be eligible to participate in a class action lawsuit, you should know that this path is not for everyone. Under some circumstances, like if you suffered significant injuries or substantial property loss, an individual lawsuit may be appropriate than participating in a class action lawsuit. To ensure that you understand the best path to take to fight for your rights, contact our team today.

The Downtown L.A. Law Group is Ready to Help You

Our team has decades of experience and is more than ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to begin or continue your claim. Our team is not afraid to take on any landfill owner or operator to fight for your rights after being exposed to foul odors and fumes from landfills. Our team is ready to take on your case and help you recover the compensation that you are owed. Our team is committed to remaining accessible to all, so we offer free case evaluations. These include both free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our team will be available to answer all your questions, address all your concerns, and provide you with all the information that you need to pursue your claim. If you are ready to schedule your free case review, contact our team today.

Zero-Fee Guarantee: you will never be responsible for paying any upfront legal costs for any of our legal services. In addition, our firm works on a strict contingency basis, meaning that you will not be responsible for paying any legal costs if your claim is not successful. If you do not win, you will not have to pay any legal expenses.

If you are ready speak with our experienced lawyers, contact us today.