The now infamous Porter Ranch gas leak has increasingly devastated property owners and families in the surrounding areas. What began as a small leak has turned the city upside down, requiring individuals to leave their homes due to this unforeseeable event. Specifically, a multitude of claims will be brought against the gas company, revolving around personal injury, trespass, and a devaluation of land values.
The first and most obvious cause of action brought is for personal injuries sustained from the gas leak. It is no surprise that after so many harmful chemicals were released into the adjacent neighborhoods that adverse health effects would occur. In fact, extreme exposure to various gases in the atmosphere, in concentrated amounts, can leave a person with skin, eye irritations and severe lung complications. All of these various ailments can easily be used to show damages in a personal injury suit.
The second, and rather surprising cause of action that citizens of Porter Ranch can bring in the aftermath of this horrible gas leak is a claim of trespass by the gas company. While most people will be surprised to hear such a claim, it is only because they do not understand the legality dealing with this cause of action. Specifically, trespass can be brought if an individual or object enters on to the property of another, or, in this case, chemical residue accumulating on the property of another. Moreover, it is very possible that due to the overwhelming amounts of harmful gases leaking could potentially build on surrounding homes, affecting everyone within. Ultimately nearby homeowners will have a claim against the gas company on a theory of trespass.
Property values have been affected in the Porter Ranch area due to the gas leaks. Since property value is dictated by the adage of supply and demand, it is no surprise that potential buyers would not want to live in an area where there are grave health concerns. As such, property values are crashing and home owners are searching for answers.
With a litany of lawsuits to come, including a plethora of actions already filed against the gas company, the most important aspect of the problem is the safety and wellbeing of Porter Ranch residents. Thus far, it has been revealed that the gas company is paying for residents to stay in hotels across southern California, and actively trying to solve the problem. It is a shame that the leak has caused so many issues but is quite encouraging to see a conglomerate taking proactive approaches to mitigate the damages to the residents.
For more information, check out http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-porter-ranch-gas-leak-live-htmlstory.html
-Kevin Lipton, ESQ
Managing Partner – Lipton Legal Group, A PC – Beverly Hills, California