Columbus Environmental Torts Attorneys
Environmental Torts Attorneys in Columbus, GA, Who Win Big Cases
Georgia is a beautiful place to live. Our state is full of amazing people and natural splendor. Georgians cherish the opportunity to thrive in such a wonderful environment, and we believe in looking after our people, our land, and our wildlife.
When businesses, corporations, and other powerful interests put profit ahead of doing the right thing, people get hurt, personal property is damaged, and our natural resources are despoiled.
At Butler Prather LLP, we believe there are things worth fighting for. That’s why we took on the case of Shaun and Armie Harris, Stewart County residents whose property was severely damaged by the irresponsible owners of a solar energy company based in Tennessee. We were successful, winning a verdict of $135.5 million.
For over 35 years, the personal injury lawyers at Butler Prather LLP have been helping accident victims in Columbus, Georgia, and across the nation. Our skilled litigators have won hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients in over 30 states. We’ve won nine verdicts exceeding $100 million and over 60 verdicts and settlements of over $10 million.
Butler Prather LLP has won landmark legal victories against some of the largest corporations in America, and we will continue to protect Georgia and our citizens from anyone who doesn’t respect our property, our families, and our values.
Call us at (706) 322-1990 to schedule a complimentary consultation today.
What Is an Environmental Tort?
Tort law gives private citizens the ability to redress wrongs that were committed against them. An environmental tort is a claim or lawsuit that’s filed by your attorney after you, your loved ones, or your property was harmed by environmental pollutants, waste, exposure to harmful chemicals, or other damage caused by industrial activities that may include:
- Power plants
- Big agriculture
- Chemical plants
- Oil refineries
- Mining
- Manufacturing
- Waste management
Types of Environmental Torts in Columbus, GA
Over the years, a number of state and federal laws have been passed to help preserve our natural resources. Notable among these is the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which provides the legal foundation for dealing with hazardous and non-hazardous waste. The RCRA gives the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) authority over various types of waste.
The RCRA stipulates that waste must be handled in an environmentally sound manner at every stage, including treatment, transportation, storage, and disposal. Enforcing this law is essential for preventing damage to our air, homes, soils, drinking water, wetlands, and other vital natural habitats. Examples of environmental waste and pollution regulated by the EPA include:
- Hazardous waste
- Landfills
- Erosion and sedimentation
- Invasive species
- Oil spills
- Water run-off
- Solid waste
- Noxious fumes
- Stormwater discharge
- Aerial and ground pesticides and herbicides
- Industrial odors
- Groundwater contamination
- Dust and ashes
- Cancer-causing toxins
- Leakage from underground storage tanks (UST)
Columbus, Georgia, is home to dairy farming, orchards, vineyards, berry and pecan farms, and a host of additional agricultural products. The region is also the site of the lovely Chattahoochee River and a great place for outdoor activities such as fishing, whitewater rafting, and mountain biking at Flat Rock Park and the Fort Benning MTB trail.
Laws That Protect People and Property from Environmental Damage
The medical and financial consequences of environmental damage can be overwhelming. Family businesses have been destroyed, and people have lost loved ones due to environmental harm caused by the careless actions of those who were fixated on increasing the bottom line. That’s why Congress has passed several laws safeguarding private citizens and the environment from negligence and wrongdoing.
In addition to the RCRA, Congress has enacted the following legislation, providing resources and a legal framework that allows people to get assistance and seek legal recourse when they have been injured by environmental pollutants:
- The Clean Water Act (CWA)
- Oil Pollution Act (OPA)
- Hazardous Site Response Act (HSRA)
- Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
- National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
- Endangered Species Act (ESA)
- The Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensations and Liability Act (CERCLA) created the “superfund” to assist victims of environmental degradation
How Your Environmental Torts Attorneys Can Help
You have the right to seek damages for financial loss and physical injuries caused by companies and others that harm the environment. To be successful, you will want to find a personal injury law firm that has the right mix of experience and knowledge to take on these complex cases.
Butler Prather LLP has a proven track record of success in environmental torts, including class action lawsuits, private citizen torts, mass torts, multi-district litigation, and lawsuits involving regulatory enforcement.
Our firm knows how to investigate these cases, and we have the necessary resources to see large lawsuits through to the very end. It’s crucial to have all your ducks in a row before filing a major environmental lawsuit. That’s why the experienced Georgia environmental torts lawyers at Butler Prather LLP rely on a team of experts to build a winning case. This includes:
- Biologists
- Soil experts
- Physicians
- Chemical engineers
- Geologists
- Accountants
- Appraisers
- Economists
- Historians
Damages Available in an Environmental Tort
After our investigation is complete, the personal injury lawyers at Butler Prather LLP will file an environmental tort lawsuit that includes the following types of damages:
- Economic damages that cover medical expenses, loss of income, and property damage.
- Non-economic damages such as the emotional pain, suffering, and mental anguish caused by what was taken from you.
- Punitive damages are awarded in Georgia in cases of willful misconduct, malice, fraud, wantonness, oppression, or entire want of care.
- Wrongful Death. In Georgia, criminal, reckless, negligent, or intentional acts caused by a person or entity may result in a wrongful death claim or lawsuit.
We’ve Won Over a Billion Dollars for Our Clients
At Butler Prather LLP, we fight to get justice for people who were harmed by the selfish and careless actions of others. Our Columbus attorneys have won large lawsuits that hold wrongdoers accountable for the injuries they cause.
We will treat you with respect and compassion and are always available for our clients.
Call (706) 322-1990 to learn more today.