Environmental Pollution
The Acreage
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Possible Acreage Lawsuits: Erin Brockovich Hosts Meeting to Discuss Environmental Concerns
Lawyers to discuss updates on cancer cluster testing in town hall meeting. Acreage, Florida residents consider lawsuits.
Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. and environmental advocate Erin Brockovich would like to update the public on a stepped-up inquiry into a potential “cancer cluster” in a rural suburb of West Palm Beach, Florida.State and county health officials have launched a Level II investigation in the The Acreage community after finding a potentially higher rate of cancer there in their initial research.
“We are currently in the midst of assessing toxic substances in The Acreage, and how such substances have affected the health and welfare of area families,” said Weitz & Luxenberg environmental lawyer Lemuel Srolovic.
He and colleagues in the firm’s Environmental and Toxic Torts unit would like to meet with residents to answer any questions they may have about the study’s Level I data, and discuss what legal avenues they may take if they have been affected by exposure.
Those living in and around Loxahatchee, Unincorporated West Palm, Royal Palm Beach and Jupiter are invited to attend a special community meeting with Erin Brockovich and lawyers from Weitz & Luxenberg. Attorneys from our firm will be will be on hand with local counsel on Thursday, October 8, at 7 p.m., in the Palm Beach County Convention Center, located at 650 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach.
The Level I study released Aug. 28 showed increased rates of total cancers from 2000 to 2007, according to the Palm Beach County Health Department. The study also found that children, girls in particular, had an increased number of brain cancers during a 10-year period, with the highest rates being 2005 through 2007.
The Acreage had 1,369 cases of all types of cancer between 1995 and 2007, but a similar-sized area elsewhere in Florida could be expected to have 1,055 cases in that time, according to the Department of Health report.
Since the most accurate population numbers for this area by age groups are from the 2000 census, Level II of the investigation will recalculate cancer rates using more recent population counts.
It will also seek to verify if any particular type of brain cancer is more common than expected, as well as and look at residence history and other risk factors of pediatric brain cancer causes through interviews.
In May 2009, residents of the Acreage contacted famed environmental advocate Erin Brockovich, who is now affiliated with our firm, about the possible cancer cluster in their community. When Brockovich alerted the firm's environmental lawyers, they mobilized to investigate the problem.
“I don’t have all the answers but I am driven to ask the important questions,” said Brockovich, who has spoken to many frightened families over the years about their right to seek the truth. “I am here to advocate for full disclosure—to get the information out there for the communities that are impacted by corporate dumping and other acts of negligence.”
Find out about possible lawsuits in the Acreage
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see also:
Tumors
Acreage Tumors Children Diagnosed | Weitz & LuxenbergThe Acreage Families of children diagnosed with tumors - Legal Options
Study: Level I
Initial Findings in Cancer Study Investigation for Acreage: LawyersLevel I Acreage cancer study results announced. Free lawsuit review
Background
Acreage Brain Cancer | Weitz & Luxenberg Lawyers InvestigateDid pollution in the Acreage cause brain cancer? Free lawsuit review
