Weitz & Luxenberg lawyers hosted a special community meeting in Paw Paw, Mich. for those affected by groundwater contamination from Coca-Cola plant

If you are a resident of Paw Paw, Mich., and the town’s current groundwater contamination problem has impacted your family’s life, the environmental lawyers at Weitz & Luxenberg will provide a free case review via the form below.

WHO: Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C.

WHAT: Paw Paw, Mich. residents were invited to attend a special community meeting with lawyers from Weitz & Luxenberg.

WHEN: Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Paw Paw High School, 30609 E. Red Arrow Hwy., Paw Paw, MI 49079-8699.

Attorneys from Weitz & Luxenberg — a law firm long recognized in the legal community for pursuing legal claims on behalf of communities and individuals harmed by toxic pollution — were on hand with local Michigan counsel to discuss the soil contamination problem in Paw Paw, Mich., and to advise residents about their lawsuit options.

BACKGROUND: For two decades, the Coca-Cola bottling plant in Paw Paw, Mich., discharged its waste water into town soil. Today, nearby groundwater used for drinking and other household uses is showing signs of heavy metal contamination, with detectable levels of toxins linked to cancer, including arsenic, lead, iron and manganese.

Soil contamination has already affected the groundwater, as well as property values of dozens of homes in Paw Paw, especially those situated near the source of the contamination: Coca-Cola’s Minute Maid plant on Red Arrow Highway.

The situation is not improving. Town authorities have told residents to stop drinking local water and to switch to bottled water. And the Paw Paw Township Assessor recently sent letters to affected residents stating that their homes’ “state equalized values” have been reduced by 10 percent because of the soil pollution.

“The Coca-Cola Co. has made overtures to some of the residents of Paw Paw, and we are hopeful that we can resolve this matter for the residents provided the company recognizes the damages it has inflicted upon the community and fairly compensates residents for their injuries,” said Erin Brockovich, who has been affiliated with Weitz & Luxenberg for several years. “I have worked with the environmental attorneys at Weitz & Luxenberg and I trust them to recognize residents’ concerns and to represent their very best interests in this unfortunate matter.”

Brockovich is no stranger to righting environmental wrongs. Best known for her investigative work in a successful lawsuit against Pacific Gas and Electric Co. in California that resulted in a $333 million settlement, Brockovich’s experience in that case inspired a popular movie bearing her name and starring movie actress Julia Roberts. Brockovich will be in Australia on the date of the meeting but has taped a special, personalized video for Paw Paw residents that they will be able to view.