Have you been negatively affected by the noxious smells from Calabasas Landfill, located at 5300 Lost Hills Rd, Agoura Hills, CA 91301? Have you complained about the problem time and time again, but the county has done little to nothing to solve the problem?
Odor nuisance complaints have been filed against LA County landfills for many years, and there is no denying that many of these locations have been poorly managed by various companies and government agencies. As someone whose health has taken a turn for the worse, you may have grounds to sue the County of Los Angeles for monetary damages, like medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage.
The landfill odor nuisance lawyers of Normandie would like to advise you of your rights and help you decide if filing a lawsuit is in your best interest. All you have to do is contact us at your earliest convenience and schedule a free consultation.
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Complaints about Smells from Southern California Landfills
Calabasas landfill is just one of many garbage dumps throughout Los Angeles County, and unfortunately, many of these places are poorly managed. Some landfills are owned and operated by private firms, while others – like Calabasas Landfill – are maintained by the County of Los Angeles.
Regardless of who is in charge, residents have complained about the smells from these facilities for many years. Two locations stand out as the worst of the bunch: Chiquita Canyon Landfill and Sunshine Canyon Landfill. These landfills are just 12 miles apart, and each of them has received thousands of complaints and multiple air quality violation notices from the South Coast Air Quality Management District.
Residents in Val Verde and Castaic are joining forces in a class action lawsuit against Waste Connections, the owner and operator of the Chiquita Canyon landfill. The cause of the odors has been linked to the release of dimethyl sulfide (DMS), which is a clear, oily substance released by decomposing waste. Management of the odor is essential to protecting the public, but it’s clear that the stench has gotten out of control, to the point where residents must keep their windows closed at all times and avoid staying outside for more than a few minutes.
Over at Sunshine Canyon, the overwhelming smell is due to methane gas resulting from heavy rains that penetrated the landfill. Sunshine Canyon’s operators, Republic Services, insist that the smell is under control and that they’ve taken all the steps recommended by the South Coast Air Quality Management District. However, the unrelenting stench of methane gas remains in the air, causing residents to develop chronic nosebleeds, asthma attacks, and other symptoms.
The Chiquita Canyon landfill class action lawsuit is just the beginning as far as we are concerned. Negligence by landfill operators is a problem that affects all LA County residents. If you and your family are struggling with health conditions caused by the odors from Calabasas Canyon, please take some time to discuss your case with one of our attorneys.
Injuries Associated with Landfill Gases and Chemicals
Negligence by landfill operators can cause all sorts of problems, including poor air quality due to the release of methane gas and dimethyl sulfide. Over time, exposure to these toxins can cause the following health issues:
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Headaches
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Nosebleeds
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Inflammation of the airways
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Respiratory distress (breathing problems)
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Blurry vision
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Slurred speech
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Memory problems
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Convulsions
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Pulmonary edema
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Coma
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Death
How can I File a Calabasas Landfill Class Action Lawsuit?
When there is a threat to public safety, it’s inevitable that many people will be affected by the same injuries. This is where class action lawsuits can be of help, which we can assist you with here at Normandie Law Firm. By contacting us, you can receive guidance from an experienced landfill odor class action attorney, who will help you initiate a lawsuit. Or, we can help you join an existing Calabasas Landfill lawsuit with others in the community.
Simply give us a call and learn about the process of filing a class action claim for health issues caused by smells from a local landfill. We look forward to meeting you and fighting for the compensation you are entitled to.
Average Value of a Calabasas Landfill Lawsuit Settlement
Compensation awards for lawsuits against Calabasas Landfill range from $200,000 to $100,000,000, depending on whether you file a personal injury claim or a class action lawsuit. Obviously, class action lawsuits generate higher payouts, since they are filed on behalf of multiple victims. Some of these lawsuits have hundreds of class members, while others have just 12 plaintiffs.
Please note that there are many factors that are involved when it comes to the amount of compensation for a landfill injury lawsuit. The degree of harm to the victims is an essential factor, especially chronic health issues that may result in permanent complications. Some of these cases also involve property damage and emotional trauma, which can also increase the value of a landfill air quality violation claim.
Due to the many issues that must be examined, we recommend that you talk to a lawyer who can help you figure out what your lawsuit is worth.
How Long will it Take to Reach a Settlement?
The process of settling a landfill odor injury lawsuit takes 1 to 2 years on average, though some cases will be settled within a matter of months. However, class action lawsuits usually take longer, due to various procedures and court requirements. For one thing, we need time to locate enough plaintiffs and gather the necessary evidence. Then, we will need to have the lawsuit certified as a class action, which is largely based on the court’s schedule. After that, we must negotiate back and forth with the County of Los Angeles to ensure that our clients receive a fair amount of compensation.
If we need to ask for a trial date, it’s possible that recovering your settlement can take 3 or more years. However, it’s very rare that a case is tried in court, which is why we would place the average timeline to settle a Calabasas landfill lawsuit at 12 to 24 months.
Statute of Limitations to Sue for Health Issues Caused by Calabasas Landfill
Injuries due to release of toxic substances from a landfill must be filed within 2 years. The starting point for the statute of limitations can be the date of an accident, but that would not apply in this situation. Instead, you will base the starting point for the SOL on when you discovered an injury associated with the excessive smell from Calabasas landfill. This can be challenging to figure out, as many people are unaware of the symptoms for quite some time or fail to connect them with the effects of DMS, methane gas, and other contaminants in the air.
Our legal experts can verify the deadline for a lawsuit based on your own circumstances. For more information on the amount of time you have to sue Los Angeles County, contact our office.
Speak to a Calabasas Landfill Lawsuit Attorney
Air quality is something we take for granted, but that’s not the case for those living near a mismanaged landfill. Perhaps you are one of the many residents who have been impacted by the putrid odors from a garbage dump or recycling center. Negligence by LA County cannot be tolerated when entire communities are suffering from serious health complications.
We are a Los Angeles-based law firm with decades of experience in lawsuits against city, state, and county agencies. We know what it takes to go after these entities and secure maximum payment on behalf of injury victims. We also provide free legal services under the Zero Fee Guarantee, which is a policy where we bill the defendant for all our expenses. Thus, you pay absolutely nothing out of pocket, nor will you pay a single penny if we don’t win your case.
Contact our law firm and receive a free case evaluation if you would like to explore your rights and legal options.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Antelope Valley Recycling and Disposal Facility Class Action Lawsuit Attorney
Landfill Smell Class Action Lawsuit Lawyers
Sunshine Canyon Landfill Methane Leak Class Action Lawsuit