Chiquita Canyon Landfill Claims
Have you been affected by this landfill?
Let us help you get the justice you deserve.
Diminished Value - Property Value Loss Claim
You have heard the expression “in real estate location is everything.” Location matters because ultimately location determines the occupants’ satisfaction with their living conditions. Unfortunately, not only has the landfill situation caused citizens health problems, but also it has diminished their property values. The reason is simple: Nobody wants to live in an area that smells like garbage! If you own a home in this area and your property’s value has diminished due to the actions of the landfill, you may be eligible to receive damages. Imagine without the landfill’s negligence your property was worth $900,000 but with the landfill’s negligence it is worth $700,000. You would be entitled to the difference, which is $200,000. It can be difficult to assess these numbers. How do you know how much your home was worth before the landfill? How do you know how much it’s worth now? That’s why it’s important to hire a lawyer specializing in these kinds of lawsuits.
File a Claim Today
Are you suffering from the stench emanating from the Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Castaic, California? If so, you may have grounds to sue the owners of the landfill for monetary compensation. So far, multiple people (over 100) in the area have joined a lawsuit, so please contact us right away if your health or that of your loved ones has been impacted by the smell from Chiquita Canyon Landfill.
With decades of experience in personal injury lawsuits, our lawyers are ready to investigate your case and fight for the maximum payment you are entitled to. Don’t hesitate to contact our law firm if you have questions or concerns about the health effects of DMS and other toxic fumes coming from a landfill.
Complaints about Chiquita Canyon Landfill
Residents are fed up with the stench caused by the release of dimethyl sulfide from the waste at Chiquita Canyon Landfill. The owner of the landfill, Waste Connections, has been cited for multiple air quality violations and was ordered by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) to minimize the odors coming from the landfill.
The order from AQMD is the result of thousands of complaints from residents who are unable to open their windows or stay outdoors for more than a few minutes due to the putrid smell. Even more alarming, many residents have developed chronic nose bleeds and asthma attacks from the constant exposure to DMS, or dimethyl sulfide. DMS is a clear, oily substance that with a foul odor, which some have described as smelling like an onion.
What’s Happening in the Landfill?
Now, let’s take a closer look at what’s going on at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill and why it’s so harmful to those living and working in the area.
The landfill currently has over 100 air quality violations due to the seepage of leachate. This is essentially liquid pollution that forms when excessive amounts of water from rain or snow flow through the waste at a landfill. We know for a fact that Waste Connections, the operators of the landfill, have thousands of complaints filed against them in the past few years due to their inability to manage the stench.
Leachate is a toxic substance that contains harmful chemicals that can cause cancer and other diseases. Those living in the affected areas are at risk of cancer and other diseases from exposure and contamination from hydrogen sulfide and excessive benzene levels.
Recently, it was announced by the South Coast AQMD that “A review of Chiquita Canyon’s air monitoring data showed approximately 35% of all hydrogen sulfide (H2S) readings over the past year exceeded the California state standard of 30 parts per billion (ppb).”
It’s no wonder that residents are suffering from constant body aches, burning eyes, ear pain, and breathing problems for years. All of this was caused by lack of maintenance by the landfill operators, which has been noted by state and federal agencies. On February 22, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency ordered Waste Connections to “take immediate steps to protect human health and the environment.”
Immediate action is essential, considering that wind is increasing the radius that can be covered. More communities are at risk of health complications from dimethyl sulfide, benzene, and other toxins from leachate, but so far, Chiquita Canyon landfill operators have failed to contain the problem that is causing the unbearable smell.
How Do I Know if I Qualify for a Lawsuit?
In order to be eligible for a Chiquita Canyon Landfill lawsuit, you must live, attend school, or work in one of the following affected communities:
Affected communities:
- Castaic
- Val Verde
- Sylmar
- Santa Clarita
- Stevenson Ranch
- Valencia
- Granada Hills
- Rancho Cascades
- Newhall
Please note that you must file a lawsuit within 2 years from when you noticed adverse health symptoms associated with the toxins from Chiquita Canyon Landfill. To ensure that you receive compensation for the harm you’ve suffered, contact our law firm as soon as possible.
Poor management constitutes negligence by landfill owners, which is the basis of a lawsuit filed by over 100 Castaic and Val Verde residents. If you or someone you know has been affected by the odor coming from Chiquita Canyon Landfill, call us for a free consultation. That way, we can take time to answer any questions you have and ensure that you are aware of the available legal options.
The Harmful Effects of Dimethyl Sulfide (DMS)
As we mentioned, the source of the stench at Chiquita Canyon Landfill is a substance known as DMS, or dimethyl sulfide. Exposure to DMS has been linked with the following health conditions:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Coughing
- Breathing problems, particularly shortness of breath
- Inflammation of the respiratory tract
- Constant headaches and dizziness
- Ulcers in the throat and mucous membranes
- Pulmonary edema (fluid buildup in the lungs)
- Coma
If you have any of these symptoms and live near a landfill in Los Angeles County, you may be entitled to monetary damages from a personal injury lawsuit. Our legal team is ready to guide you through the process and ensure that justice is served on behalf of you and your family members.
How can I Join the Chiquita Canyon Landfill Lawsuit?
Whenever entire neighborhoods are suffering from the same health issues, the term “class action lawsuit” comes to mind. However, our attorneys are filing what is called a “mass torts lawsuit” not a class action lawsuit. The advantage of a mass torts lawsuit is how much each client will receive. In a class action lawsuit, any dollar amount that the court awards will be split amongst many victims. In a mass torts lawsuit, each client is represented as an individual and their potential damages awarded will not be split.
If you would like to join the mass torts lawsuit for injuries caused by Chiquita Canyon Landfill, please contact our office. We can help you join a lawsuit with other injury victims and make sure that you are aware of your rights.
Why Choose Our Firm – Mass Torts v Class Action Explained
- In a class action lawsuit, the group of victims is treated as one entity, while in a mass torts action each victim’s case is treated as an individual case.
- In a class action any damages awarded by the court will be split amongst many victims. As such, the victims will often receive much less than they deserved. In a mass torts action, each victim receives exactly how much he/she deserved.
- In the best interest of the clients, our law firm only files mass torts lawsuits
What is the Average Value of a Chiquita Canyon Landfill Settlement?
Prior lawsuits for chemical odors from landfills have settled between $100,000 and $1,000,000. The actual value depends on numerous factors, including how you were harmed.
Ultimately, the goal of the lawsuit is to close down the poorly managed Chiquita Canyon Landfill and ensure that its owners do not continue to profit at the expense of public health and safety. But there’s no denying that many people in the area already have serious health complications. They deserve compensation for their monetary losses, like hospital bills, pain and suffering, property damage, and lost wages. To learn more about the payments you can receive, please speak with a Chiquita Canyon Landfill lawsuit attorney at our office.
Contact Us for a Free Case Evaluation
We know that filing a lawsuit is a big decision, and that’s why you should have the opportunity to discuss your case with a landfill injury lawsuit attorney. We would like to offer you a free consultation or free second opinion, where you can have a chance to learn about your rights and legal options.
If filing a Chiquita Canyon Landfill claim is right for you, we will provide you with free legal services for the entire duration of your case. As a contingency based law firm, we only get paid by recovering your settlement award. And if we don’t win your case, we have a Zero Fee Guarantee, so you won’t have to pay a single penny in legal fees.
Our Chiquita Canyon Landfill lawyers are ready to assist you, so please contact us at your earliest convenience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do we have to pay anything?
No. The firm is taking the risk by representing you, and you do not have to pay anything until we settle. If we don’t settle, you’re still not liable to pay anything.
Is this a class action?
No, we are filing mass torts. That means that every lawsuit is being treated as an individual case. Joining a class action can reduce your potential compensation value.
How many plaintiffs do you have?
We have over 500 individual lawsuits.
Who are the attorneys leading this case?
Andrew M. Morrow and Sako Demirjian
Has DTLA Law handled cases like this before?
Yes.
Does the firm provide experts?
Yes, we have experts who are on the case.
About Our Law Firm
The Downtown LA Law Group is a premier personal injury law firm headquartered in Los Angeles with various offices throughout California. For over a decade, we have made it our mission to represent victims of personal injury against greedy corporations. While we take all kinds of personal injury cases, our main focus is mass torts lawsuits. Our law firm was founded with one goal in mind: to get justice for you if you have been hurt by the negligence of another party. Our trial attorneys are highly experienced and respected in their fields, and they strive to get you the maximum amount of compensation for your damages.
Our law firm is currently investigating the situation in Chiquita Canyon Landfill. If you believe you have a claim against this landfill, contact our law firm today for a free consultation. We do not charge anything upfront. The only time you will ever pay us is if we recover money for you.
Reach Out Today
We’d love to hear from you. Whether you believe that you have a case or you just want to say hi, you are welcome to contact us any time. You can fill out the contact form with your information and someone will get back to you. Alternatively, you can call us or email us at the below addresses.
Suite 2100
Los Angeles, CA
90036