Over 400 people are suing LA County and Exxon Mobil Inc. of Los Angeles wrongful death and personal injuries. The plaintiffs are former residents of the Ujima Village housing complex and the surviving family members of those that died from toxin exposure.
At least 38 deaths are being linked to gas and oil contamination, which caused vapors and made the soil toxic. Plaintiffs say that toxin exposure at the 300-unit complex caused rashes, cancers, asthma, miscarriages, and other health issues. They are seeking damages for wrongful death, personal injury, medical bills, back rent, and other damages and losses. They content that no one ever told them that they were living on contaminated land or that the soil and vapors might pose a health hazard.
The Willowbrook complex was constructed in 1972 on what used to be an oil tank storage site. LA County closed the housing complex in 2008. Exxon Mobil says that it didn't learn that there could be a problem with the soil condition until 2007 and that it has been working with numerous state and local agencies to conduct an environmental probe. The company says that regulators have determined that the toxins don't pose an immediate public health threat.
If you became ill or suffered other types of health issues because you were exposed to toxins or other hazardous substances, you may have grounds for filing a Los Angeles County personal injury or wrongful death complaint. You may even find that other people also have suffered as a result of the same exposure.
In addition to the party responsible for the toxic substances, you may also be entitled to file a toxic injury claim against a premise owner and other liable parties.
Suit blames deaths on housing site in LA County, Associated Press, April 13, 2010
Hundreds sue L.A. County over Ujima Village contamination, Los Angeles Times, April 12, 2010
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