Savannah Environmental Tort Lawyers
Environmental Tort Lawyers in Savannah Who Win Big Cases
There is no other city like Savannah, Georgia. In fact, Savannah attracted over 17 million visitors in a recent year. People come from across the United States to learn about the city’s storied past and view its unique landmarks and architecture. Visitors are also attracted by the beauty of Savannah, which includes breathtaking palmettos, magnolias, crepe myrtles, and sycamore trees.
Savannah residents are rightfully proud of this wonderful city. That’s why it’s important to protect local residents from businesses, corporations, and government entities that would despoil its natural splendor and make the area unsafe for its inhabitants.
At Butler Prather LLP, we’re proud to serve the people of Georgia, and we fight to protect our natural resources. Our personal injury law firm won a significant environmental tort on behalf of Shaun and Amie Harris, whose property was devasted by an out-of-state company that built a pollutive power station near their home. Butler Prather LLP won Shaun and Amie a verdict of $135.5 million.
For over 35 years, the personal injury lawyers at Butler Prather LLP have been helping people in Savannah. Our skilled litigators have won over $1 billion in settlements and verdicts for clients in over 30 states, including nine verdicts exceeding $100 million and more than 60 verdicts and settlements of over $10 million.
Call us at (706) 322-1990 to schedule a complimentary consultation today.
What Is an Environmental Tort?
A lot of large businesses and corporations only have one objective in mind – making as much money as they can without regard for how their actions will affect people in local communities across the country. Fortunately, there are state and federal laws to protect people from greedy and rapacious interests, and these laws allow you to seek compensation if you’ve been wronged.
A tort is a civil law used to redress injuries, fatalities, and property damages caused by the wrongful actions of a negligent party. An environmental tort is filed by someone whose property was damaged by waste, runoff, chemicals, or pollutants that were created or left behind by someone else.
Environmental torts are frequently brought against wealthy interests and powerful government agencies that have large amounts of money at their disposal. That’s why it’s important to find an attorney who has the necessary experience and financial resources to win an environmental tort.
Types of businesses that have been forced to pay for their negligent behavior through environmental torts include:
- Chemical plants
- Factory farms
- Trucking companies
- Rail lines
- Mining companies
- Wind farms
- Manufacturing companies
- Power plants
- Pulp and paper companies
- Oil refining and petrochemicals
- Service stations
- Utility companies
- Water boards
- Shipyards
- Businesses that use dry cleaning solvents
State and Federal Environmental Laws
State and federal laws protect people in Georgia from physical injuries and property damage caused by negligent parties. The state of Georgia has a strong interest in preserving our coastline, rivers, farmlands, drinking water, and natural landscapes. It’s also important to ensure biological diversity by protecting flora, fauna, and endangered species. The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources enforces the state’s environmental laws, protecting its air, land, and water resources.
Since the founding of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970, the federal government has taken a keen interest in protecting the environment. Businesses and other parties that violate state and federal environmental laws are subject to criminal prosecution and civil tort actions. There is a large body of federal legislation to prevent property owners from damaging the environment with immunity, including:
- The Clean Water Act (CWA)
- The Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
- The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA)
- The Endangered Species Act (ESA)
- The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
- The Oil Pollution Act (OPA)
How Your Savannah Environmental Tort Attorney Can Help
Butler Prather LLP has won verdicts and settlements against some of the most powerful interests in the nation. We know what it takes to win these cases, and our aggressive litigators won’t back down from anybody.
Experience has taught us how to be fully prepared when going up against a party with deep pockets. Butler Prather LLP wins big cases because we do our homework and don’t leave anything to chance. Our Savannah attorneys file exquisite briefs that are deeply researched and backed up by expert opinions supplied by leading soil experts, medical doctors, chemical engineers, biologists, accountants, property appraisers, geologists, economists, and environmental scientists.
Butler Prather LLP will seek damages against anyone who contributed to the environmental despoilation that caused you harm. Environmental torts might be more complex than typical personal injury lawsuits, but we know how to get justice for our clients by using every tool at our disposal, including:
- Class action lawsuits
- Private torts
- Multi-district litigation
- Mass torts
- Lawsuits based on regulatory enforcement
Damages Available in an Environmental Tort
Environmental malfeasance can wreck your life and ruin your business. That’s why it’s important to accurately calculate the full extent of the harm you have suffered. When Butler Prather LLP files an environmental tort lawsuit, we articulate the totality of damages you have endured, which may include:
- Opportunity costs resulting from the inability to pursue the most lucrative course of action for your business.
- Non-economic damages that aim to cover the nontangible impact of your loss, including emotional pain, loss of consortium, and reduced quality of life due to physical and intellectual disabilities.
- Economic damages such as medical expenses, in-home nursing care, reduced earning potential, medications, physical and occupational therapy, wheelchairs, and other mobility devices.
- Punitive damages available in Georgia cases where the defendant has acted with malice, fraud, wantonness, oppression, or entire want of care.
- Wrongful death to cover funeral costs, loss of future support, household services, and other benefits provided by your loved one.
Keeping Savannah Safe, Clean, and Beautiful
At Butler Prather LLP, we get justice for people who have been harmed by the careless actions of others, and we never stop fighting for our clients. When you choose Butler Prather LLP, you can rest assured that our Savannah attorneys will keep you up-to-date on the progress of your case.
Contact us at (706) 322-1990 to learn more today.