If you work, have worked, live, or have lived in the Carson City or Wilmington, California areas and you or a loved one has been affected by the smell, we are here to help.
If you or a loved one lives or works in or near Carson or Wilmington California, we don’t have to tell you about the smell. People who live and work in the area dealt with the noxious odor for weeks in the fall and winter of 2021. But, did you know that you may be entitled to compensation for the problems the odor caused?
What Made the Air Smell so Bad in Carson?
The short answer is hydrogen sulfide being released into the air. Hydrogen sulfide is known for its rotten egg smell, and in short-lived, low-exposure situations the unpleasant odor is the only harm done. But, hydrogen sulfide gas can be dangerous. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), exposure to hydrogen sulfide gas can cause a wide variety of medical problems, including:
- Eye irritation
- Respiratory irritation
- Apnea
- Convulsions
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Nausea
- Insomnia
When the problem first started in early October, many expected that it would dissipate quickly and life would return to normal. But the smell–and the symptoms it triggered–persisted. Local news outlets reported that it took county officials nearly two weeks to begin treating the channel.
Within 15 days, the city had received about 2,000 complaints from local residents, and the gas in the air had been declared a public nuisance. The mitigation efforts weren’t immediately successful, and on October 25 the city declared a state of emergency.
Local officials said the level of hydrogen sulfide in the air was well below levels deemed hazardous by organizations like the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH). But, that didn’t stop people from getting sick.
Compensation for Residents Affected by the Dominguez Channel Odor
Some Carson-area residents who were impacted by the release of hydrogen sulfide into the air received some assistance from local government or non-profit organizations. Typically, this help included relocation or related reimbursement and distribution of air filters.
While these measures may have helped some escape from the worst effects of the odor, they were far from a full solution for many. We know many who were exposed to the noxious fumes have suffered illness, pain, aggravation of existing medical conditions and more. We also recognize that simply moving into a hotel is far from a perfect solution–especially as the problem dragged on for weeks.
If you and your family members suffered illness and other damages as a result of the ongoing contamination of the air in and around Carson, you may be entitled to additional compensation. The attorneys at TORKLAW want to help you secure fair compensation. Our team has extensive experience fighting for people who have been injured or suffered other losses because someone else was careless, and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you.
The initial consultation is free and there’s no charge for our services unless and until we secure compensation for you. You owe it to yourself and your family to take this risk-free opportunity to learn more about your rights.
Who is Responsible for the Gas Being Released?
More than one party may bear responsibility for the contamination that led to the gas release that made people in Carson sick and the delay in clean-up. Both private parties and Los Angeles County have filed lawsuits in connection with a fire that occurred in Carson, California on September 30.
Substances stored on the premises and/or improper clean-up may have caused or contributed to the contamination of the channel and subsequent release of gas. Other parties may be responsible for inadequate response to the problem after the odor appeared and local residents began to get sick.
Next Steps for People the Carson Odor Made Sick
If you suffered the symptoms listed above due to the noxious odor in the air around Carson last fall and winter, were driven from your home and incurred expenses and other losses, or otherwise suffered damages due to the contamination of the local air, you may be entitled to compensation.
If you’ve been discouraged by the red tape associated with getting help during the crisis and having been told repeatedly that the problem was being resolved while the smell continued to make you and your loved ones sick, don’t worry. The advantage of working with an experienced and dedicated law firm like TORKLAW is that we handle all of the technical and procedural aspects of your claim, including:
- Monitoring dates and deadlines
- Investigating responsible parties
- Assembling evidence and working with experts to prove liability and damages
- Responding to discovery requests from other parties
- Securing information from those we believe to be responsible
- Negotiating with the responsible parties
- If necessary, fighting the case in court
You don’t have to accept vague answers and partial solutions. You don’t have to accept that you felt sick for weeks, or that you had to leave your home, may have missed work, and sustained other damages.
We’re here to help you secure the compensation you deserve.
Get Started Right Now
If you lived through the state of emergency created by the noxious hydrogen sulfide released into the air around Carson, you’ve been inconvenienced enough. We’re making it as easy as possible for you to get the help you need.
This matter is currently being litigated. We are no longer reviewing potential cases for this particular matter.
