3 Key Decisions Towards Saving The Planet

The United States of America stands tall as an economic leader, thanks to its thriving economy and impressive industrial development. However, the price of such industrial growth is often the depletion of natural resources, which has a severe impact on the environment and human well-being. As an eco-conscious American, it is essential to pay attention to the downsides of industrial growth, which can have a devastating effect on the planet.


Fortunately, the country has environmental laws to regulate environmental protection, covering key areas such as air and water quality, pollution control, waste management, chemical safety, and prevention of hunting and fishing. Nevertheless, industrialists and business owners often cross the boundaries and break the laws, causing immense harm to the ecosystem. As a result, the American government realizes its role in this context and enforces the law to preserve and protect the environment.

Over the years, there have been landmark environmental law decisions that have set the course for a safer future. Here are some noteworthy lawsuits that stand apart in the history of the country's legal system, owing to their tremendous degree of perplexity and burstiness.


The first notable lawsuit is the Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Lawsuit, where the exposure to contaminated water in the military base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina affected the residents from 1953 to 1987. Over a million veterans, family members, and workers resided in the area during these three decades. Unfortunately, they may have been exposed to toxins in domestic supplies from dry cleaning businesses, waste disposal sites, and leaks from underground storage tanks.




According to CDC studies, the toxic water at Camp Lejeune had chemicals linked to diseases like cancer, Parkinson's disease, reproductive issues, birth defects, and childhood conditions. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act entitles victims to recover disability compensation for their suffering, lost wages, and medical bills. Nevertheless, it's a long road because one needs to prove eligibility and the connection of their disease with toxic water.

However, the TorHoerman Law website offers a deep dive into the nitty-gritty of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and helps victims evaluate their eligibility for filing a Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Lawsuit. The website provides an array of information, including a chatbot feature that lets users seek facts and statistics whenever they require them.


The second noteworthy lawsuit is the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, which is among the worst environmental events in the history of the country. The massive oil and gas spill was triggered by an explosion in the Deepwater Horizon drilling platform on April 20, 2010, and killed eleven people. The explosion led to a disastrous oil leak of 5 million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico, affecting marine life and cutting the oxygen levels in the water.


Beyond the reputational damage it faced, BP had to pay a $20.8bn settlement and take up cleanup responsibility for the spill. The decision held BP for negligence leading to the disaster, which continues to persist even more than a decade after the event. According to a recent report, a sticky oil residue still covers some marshland areas in the Gulf of Mexico and affects the aquatic life in the surroundings.



The third and final notable lawsuit is the Coal Ash Pollution by Duke Energy Corporation. Duke faced flak after environmentalists filed complaints against it for polluting waterways and groundwater with toxic coal ash, which contains deadly toxins like mercury, arsenic, and cadmium. The corporation even admitted violations of the Clean Water Act and pleaded guilty in federal court.


Investigations established that the corporation dumped 39,000 tons of hazardous coal ash in the Dan River in 2014. As a result, Duke Energy was placed on five years of probation and fined a whopping $102 million. The settlement amount includes 

Ending

Over the years, we have seen how class action lawsuits have played a crucial role in protecting the environment and public interest. These legal battles have held governments and big corporations accountable for their actions, showing that neglecting the environment can never be excused, regardless of the perpetrator's power and influence. These legal events have demonstrated that ordinary people can use the law to speak out against environmental damage and demand justice for our planet.