PFAS Companies Face Legal Firestorm in CityView Magazine

PFAS Companies Face Legal Firestorm in CityView Magazine

Lawsuits Filed Against Chemical Companies for PFAS Contamination in Cape Fear River Gain Traction

In recent months, a number of lawsuits have been filed against DuPont and its subsidiaries, Chemours and Corteva, by dozens of individual plaintiffs residing in the Cape Fear region. These lawsuits aim to hold the chemical companies responsible for contaminating the Cape Fear River with harmful PFAS chemicals, which has caused widespread property damage and personal injury. The filings include class action lawsuits, such as the lawsuit approved by a federal judge against the companies on Oct. 5, which included 100,000 North Carolina residents. Local residents have also self-reported to be participating in the legal action against the companies, with 40% of respondents in a CityView survey stating that they had filed a lawsuit against Chemours, DuPont, or Corteva. Of those who had filed, more than half were doing so for property damages, 14% for personal injury, and over 28% were part of a class action.

Court Actions and Filings Against Chemours, DuPont and Corteva

Several court actions and filings have been made against the chemical companies regarding PFAS contamination in the Cape Fear River. These include:

Dew et al v. E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, et al & O’Brien et al v. E. I. du Pont De Nemours and Company, et al

Over 2,300 individual plaintiffs have filed complaints with Baron & Budd and Seagle Law against Chemours and DuPont since 2018. The plaintiffs in the consolidated lawsuits own properties that they allege have been contaminated with PFAS from the Fayetteville Works plant. The first six “bellwether” cases of the lawsuit group are expected to go to trial in the spring. A joint motion for a pre-trial conference on Dec. 11 was made to determine whether to have individual trials for each of the six first plaintiffs, which is being sought by the property-owners, or to have a group trial, which is being sought by Chemours and DuPont. The discovery period in which the parties exchange information about evidence for the trial has ended, and the plaintiffs and defendants must submit “dispositive motions” by Feb. 12. These motions aim to resolve the case without going to trial. The deadline to file a dispositive motion is 60 days prior to the hearing date, meaning the trials will likely occur on or before April 12.

Class Action Lawsuits

Several class action lawsuits have been filed against Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva regarding PFAS contamination in the Cape Fear River. The lawsuits include:

1. McMillan v. Chemours Company FC, LLC, et al

A class action lawsuit filed against Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva by more than 400 current and former firefighters at Department of Defense facilities in North Carolina who allege exposure to PFAS chemicals through firefighting activities.

2. Lebert et al. v. Chemours Company FC, LLC, et al

A class action lawsuit filed against Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva by over 30,000 residents living near the Fayetteville Works plant, seeking damages for the contamination of their drinking water supply with PFAS chemicals.

3. Coppock et al v. Chemours Company FC, LLC, et al

A class action lawsuit filed against Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva by residents of Brunswick County in North Carolina, seeking damages for PFAS contamination in their drinking water supply.

4. Brown et al v. Chemours Company FC, LLC, et al

A class action lawsuit filed against Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva by residents of New Hanover, Brunswick, Cumberland, and Pender counties in North Carolina, seeking damages for personal injury and property damage caused by exposure to PFAS chemicals.

Next Steps

The legal proceedings in these lawsuits are ongoing. The plaintiffs and defendants are currently engaging in discovery, where they exchange information about evidence for the trials, and will submit dispositive motions by Feb. 12 to resolve the cases without a trial. The trials are expected to occur on or before April 12.

Impact of PFAS Contamination in Cape Fear River

The PFAS contamination in the Cape Fear River has caused widespread concern due to the potential health risks posed by these chemicals. PFAS chemicals have been linked to several health problems, including cancer, thyroid disease, decreased fertility, and weakened immunity. In addition to the health risks, contamination of the Cape Fear River has caused extensive damage to properties and resulted in significant economic losses for local businesses and residents. The lawsuits filed against the chemical companies aim to provide recourse for individuals affected by the PFAS contamination and hold the companies responsible for their actions.

Conclusion

The lawsuits filed against Chemours, DuPont, and Corteva regarding PFAS contamination in the Cape Fear River have gained traction in recent months. The ongoing legal proceedings will determine the responsibility of the companies in contaminating the river and the compensation owed to those affected. The impact of PFAS contamination on the health and economy of the local region highlights the importance of responsible business practices and regulatory oversight to protect public health and the environment.

Originally Post From https://www.cityviewnc.com/stories/lawsuits-pile-up-against-pfas-companies,69718

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