Leyes sobre olores molestos en California

California Civil Code 3479 defines a nuisance as anything “injurious to health…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.” Landfills that are releasing putrid odors into the community could be found to be public nuisance. Under this law, members of the community affected by the nuisance may have grounds to pursue a claim. Of course, any members of the community who have suffered harm as a result of exposure to the odor can pursue claims. For more information about how this law may apply to your specific situation, we urge you to seek legal assistance with the abogados here at our law firm today.

Comprensión de la responsabilidad del propietario/operador del vertedero por los olores

Are the property owners and operators of these landfills liable for the odors coming from the property? Yes, owners/operators are liable for any odors coming from their landfills. In fact, they have a duty to ensure that the smells/odors, gases, and liquids released from their landfills do not pose a risk or even a nuisance to the community. They must adhere to regulations and different safety codes to ensure that odors, gases, liquids, etc. stay under a certain level. When issues arise, they must take action (like using gas flares, investigating, addressing reports, monitoring smells, etc.) to address the issue and get the landfill back in compliance. Then the owners and operators of landfills fail to do this, they could be sued.

Demandas colectivas por olores de vertedero

¿Puedo participar en una demanda colectiva contra el propietario/operador de un vertedero? ¿Cómo puedo participar en una demanda colectiva sobre este caso? These are very important questions that you and other members of your community affected by the landfill may be asking. So, let’s address these questions. Yes, you could participate in a class action lawsuit; these types of claims are common in cases in which many different parties are affected in the same or similar way. To participate in a class action lawsuit, you must reach out to a lawyer experienced in class action lawsuits. If a class action already exists, your lawyer will help you be a part of the class. If there is no class action yet, your lawyer will create the class by reaching out to other community members in the same position as you and your family. For more information about class action lawsuits against landfills, contact us today. Our legal team is ready to answer any of the questions that you may have.

¿Puedo obtener una indemnización por una demanda por olores de vertedero?

Yes, you could be entitled to receive compensation if you decide to pursue a claim. You might have questions about the specific type of compensation that you could receive and the amount that you could potentially be awarded. Because every case is so different, we cannot give you an estimated case value upfront; your case needs to be evaluated thoroughly to determine a possible case value. However, your compensation could include medical costs, lost pay, pain and suffering, relocation costs, property damage, legal fees, etc. based on your specific situation. With class action lawsuits, there tends to be high-value settlements. However, it is important to note that these settlements are normally split between hundreds if not thousands of people who make up the class action. For more information about the compensation available for these types of cases, contact us today.

Significant settlement finalized in 2018

Consideremos este ejemplo de un caso pasado. La demanda presentada contra Browning-Ferris Industries (los propietarios y operadores de Sunshine Canyon Landfill en Sylmar, CA) alegó que el vertedero estaba emitiendo olores nocivos / contaminantes en la comunidad desde 2009. Según la demanda, incluso después de miles de quejas de residentes sobre los olores/humos procedentes del vertedero, no se tomó ninguna medida. Además, los residentes alegaron que evitaban invitar a huéspedes a sus casas y que a menudo tenían que abandonarlas por completo para evitar los olores. En este caso, concretamente, los residentes no podían disfrutar de sus casas debido a las molestias creadas por el vertedero.

The community members affected by the odors coming from the Chiquita Canyon Landfill are coming together to try and hold the owners/operators of the landfill, Wast Connection, accountable for the stench that has been coming from the landfill. After countless reports, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) got involved. They issued an abatement order to get the operators of the landfill to take action to reduce or eliminate the odor coming off the property. Of course, the odor is affecting the surrounding communities. According to residents, the smell is so foul that they must limit their outdoor activities and keep their windows closed. Some residents complained of nose bleeds, asthma, and other physical symptoms.

Se ha confirmado que la fuente del olor es el sulfuro de dimetilo (DMS) que procede de una parte antigua del vertedero. El olor del DMS se describe como similar al olor de una cebolla o peor. La exposición al DMS puede causar muchos síntomas, entre los que se incluyen dolores de cabeza, mareos, vómitos, náuseas, dificultad para respirar, tos, irritación en las vías respiratorias, úlceras (tanto en la nariz como en la garganta), edema pulmonar y coma, por ejemplo. Como se mencionó anteriormente, los miembros de la comunidad están haciendo un esfuerzo para organizar una demanda colectiva contra Waste Connection por los olores procedentes del Vertedero Chiquita Canyon. Si usted y su familia son parte de esta comunidad y están interesados en tomar acción legal, le instamos a ponerse en contacto con nuestro equipo a la mayor brevedad posible.