|
Through the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA), the Louisiana Department of Environmental
Quality (DEQ) and other regulatory agencies, industries
may obtain permits to release environmental contaminants
into the air, water or ground. Despite regulation, when
environmental contaminants are released into the environment,
the result may be contamination of adjacent or nearby
property, including soil and groundwater contamination.
Contamination of water wells used for drinking water
may result in illness, affecting both humans and animals.
If the water is used for irrigation, or if the soil
itself is contaminated, crops may be damaged or the
land may become unusable because of the contamination.
Exposure to environmental contamination, including drinking
contaminated water, may result in illness in both humans
and animals.
Individuals whose property is damaged
from environmental contamination may make claims for
diminution in the value of property as a result of contamination,
costs of restoring the property to its original state,
costs of installing equipment to monitor the contaminants,
and the “stigma” associated with contaminated
property. In addition to damages for actual illnesses
resulting from exposure to environmental contaminants,
property owners may also claim damages for increased
risk of harm, mental or emotional distress, and medical
monitoring associated with the environmental contamination.
You may discuss your particular situation
with an experienced attorney at the law offices of LeBlanc
& Waddell by telephone at 800-988-3514, fax at 225-768-7999,
or contact us online.
|
