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Weitz & Luxenberg, Steven D. Bell and Kennedy & Madonna File Environmental Odor Lawsuit
Odor case takes on Countywide Recycling and Disposal Landfill in Ohio. To be a part of our lawsuit, please complete the form below to fill out a questionnaire and mail in your retainer. View the Complaint.
October 8, 2008, New York, NY — Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. (www.weitzlux.com), Steven D. Bell Co, and Kennedy & Madonna today filed an environmental lawsuit against Republic Services of Ohio and Waste Management of Ohio on behalf of over 600 citizens in Bolivar, OH and surrounding communities. This legal action is prompted by the horrific odors and toxic emissions emanating from the defendants’ Countywide Recycling and Disposal Landfill that has impaired quality of life, devalued property, and threatened the health of residents in both Stark and Tuscarawas Counties.
“The residents in this community have suffered tremendously at the hands of the landfill operator, which has operated this landfill with wanton disregard for the health and welfare of its neighbors,” said Robin Greenwald, head of the Environmental Toxic Torts unit at Weitz & Luxenberg P.C. The firm recently secured a landmark MTBE settlement against some of the country's biggest oil companies, which have agreed to pay $423 million in a suit involving the contamination of 153 public water systems nationally.
The three-count complaint (docket # 2008 CT 10 0741) seeks compensatory and punitive damages for property devaluation, interference with use and enjoyment of property, and medical screening and monitoring. It alleges the defendants negligently exposed local families to hazardous substances and noxious odors by failing to prevent potentially harmful emissions from migrating off the landfill site and into residential areas.
Since 2006, Countywide Landfill has emitted intensely foul odors, as well as experienced an increased flow of waste. In response to hundreds of citizen complaints, the Director of Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) declared the landfill a “public nuisance” and ordered Republic to correct the problem. Despite urgent calls by the OEPA, the federal EPA and health officials, and thousands of complaints later, the odor persists to this day, causing nausea, significantly reducing the value of homes, and making the simple, enjoyable act of breathing fresh air impossible.
The odor is in part a result of Countywide’s dangerous practice of accepting large quantities of aluminum dross/saltcake, which is hazardous when mixed with water-based liquids. The resulting reaction creates repugnant odors and excessive heat. Despite knowledge of this potential danger, Countywide recirculated leachate. The combination of leachate and aluminum waste at the landfill created an explosive situation that started subsurface fires at the landfill.
The resulting emissions from the landfill are potentially harmful to our plaintiffs. In addition to causing nausea and throat and sinus irritation, certain of the chemicals, including benzene, are known to cause cancer in humans.
“The filing of this lawsuit is the beginning of the process by which the people in Stark and Tuscarawas County who have been affected by the Countywide Landfill will receive full and fair compensation for the damages they have suffered,” said Steven D. Bell, founder of the Ohio law firm Steven D. Bell Co.
People who have been harmed by environmental pollutants may contact us for a free case review via the form below.
see also:
EPA Background Info
Ohio EPA Investigates the Countywide Landfill in Bolivar--Free LawsuitEPA Holds Hearing on Countywide Recycling and Reviews Landfill Issues
Landfill Violations
News: Pike Township Landfill cited for boundary violationsPike Township Landfill in Bolivar, Ohio, cited for eight violations
Landfill Odor
Property value affected by landfill odor? Trust Weitz & Luxenberg to helpLandfill odors decrease property value: Weitz & Luxenberg can help you seek compensation
