Columbus, GA, Environmental Torts Lawyers

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 Columbus personal injury lawyers at Butler Prather LLP have been helping accident victims in 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 ten verdicts exceeding $100 million and over 60 verdicts and settlements of over $10 million.

Call us at (706) 322-1990 to schedule a complimentary consultation today.

Why Choose Us Over Other Columbus Environmental Tort Lawyers?

• We offer free consultations.
• Clients pay nothing unless a recovery is made.
• Partners have been recognized by Super Lawyers every year since 2019 based on peer reviews and independent research.
• We have a track record of winning cases against major corporations.
• We’re committed to trial preparation from day one, reinforcing the firm’s reputation for excellence in litigation.
• Partner James E. Butler Jr. was honored in the Atlanta Bar Association’s Legends of the Bar Series.

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

Who Can Be Liable in Environmental Harm Cases?

Environmental torts involve a wide range of possible defendants—both public and private entities. Responsibility can fall on multiple parties, especially in large-scale contamination cases.

Determining liability often requires an extensive investigation and the use of expert witnesses in environmental science, toxicology, and regulatory compliance. Butler Prather LLP brings all those resources to bear when building a case.

Corporations and Industrial Facilities

Manufacturers, refineries, chemical plants, and other industrial sites are often central to environmental tort cases. They may be responsible for illegal dumping, airborne toxins, groundwater contamination, or improper storage of hazardous waste.

Property Owners and Developers

If landowners or developers knowingly build on or sell contaminated land or fail to disclose environmental risks to buyers or tenants, they may be liable.

Government Agencies

In some cases, local, state, or federal agencies may be responsible for environmental harm. Examples include failure to regulate pollution, negligence in waste management oversight, or failing to warn the public of known environmental dangers.

Contractors and Subcontractors

When construction companies or contractors improperly handle chemicals or asbestos or ignore safety and environmental guidelines, they can be named in a lawsuit.

Utility Companies

If utility providers are responsible for chemical spills, contaminated water lines, or unsafe energy production methods, they may be liable under environmental tort statutes.

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.

Who Can File an Environmental Tort Claim in Georgia?

Anyone harmed by exposure to toxic substances or pollution may have the right to file an environmental tort claim. In Georgia, both individuals and groups can bring these claims forward.

To succeed in these claims, plaintiffs must typically prove that:

1. A hazardous substance or condition was present,
2. The defendant’s actions or omissions caused the exposure,
3. The exposure led to harm or property damage.

Butler Prather LLP works closely with environmental experts, medical professionals, and investigative teams to build strong, evidence-backed claims that stand up in court.

Individuals

You may file a claim if you’ve suffered:

• Personal injury due to exposure (e.g., respiratory problems, cancers, neurological damage)
• Property damage (e.g., soil or water contamination)
• Loss of property value due to environmental conditions

Families

Families whose homes have been contaminated by nearby industrial sites or water supplies can seek compensation for cleanup costs, healthcare, relocation, and emotional distress.

Communities

Entire neighborhoods may join together in a class action lawsuit when multiple residents are affected by the same environmental hazard.

Businesses and Property Owners

Owners of land or buildings contaminated by pollution, waste, or illegal dumping may file claims for cleanup, depreciation, and loss of use.

Workers

Employees exposed to toxic chemicals at work may have claims outside of workers’ compensation if third-party negligence is involved.

Municipalities and Nonprofits

Local governments and environmental organizations can take legal action to protect public lands, watersheds, or ecosystems from negligent harm.

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 a Columbus 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifies as an environmental tort?

Environmental torts involve injuries or property damage caused by exposure to pollutants or hazardous conditions. Common examples include chemical spills, illegal dumping, water contamination, and airborne pollutants.

How do I know if I’ve been exposed to a harmful substance?

Signs of exposure vary, but you may experience symptoms such as respiratory issues, headaches, skin irritation, or chronic illness. A doctor’s diagnosis and environmental testing of your home or workplace can help confirm exposure.

What kinds of damages can I recover in Georgia?

Environmental tort lawsuits can help victims recover for:

• Medical expenses
• Long-term health care costs
• Loss of income or ability to work
• Property damage or cleanup costs
• Decreased property value
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress

Is there a statute of limitations for environmental torts in Georgia?

Yes. In Georgia, you generally have two years from the date you became aware—or reasonably should have become aware—of your injuries to file a claim. Some property-related claims may have different deadlines. This is why early legal action is critical.

Can I sue if the exposure happened years ago?

Maybe. Environmental exposure cases often involve latent injuries—harm that appears years after the event. Georgia law allows claims to proceed if you file within the appropriate time frame after discovering the injury.

What is a class action environmental lawsuit?

A class action allows multiple individuals with similar claims to join together against a defendant. This is common in environmental cases where a large group is affected by the same pollution source.

Will my case go to trial?

Many environmental cases are settled before trial, but Butler Prather LLP always prepares as if the case will be tried in front of a jury. Our readiness to litigate gives us an edge in negotiations.

What’s the difference between a personal injury case and an environmental tort?

Personal injury cases in Columbus usually focus on a specific event, like a car crash. However, environmental torts involve ongoing or mass exposure to toxic substances and may affect entire communities. They often require scientific evidence and regulatory knowledge.

How much does it cost to hire an environmental tort lawyer?

At Butler Prather LLP, you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We cover all upfront costs and only receive a fee if we win or settle your case.

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Columbus Office:
105 13th Street
Columbus, GA 31901

Mailing address:
P.O. Box 2766
Columbus, GA 31902

Additional Information

• PFAS Contamination in Georgia: Legal Remedies for Columbus Victims
• Environmental Hazards and Legal Rights in Georgia
• What is a Toxic Tort?