Pending Litigation
Silver Golub & Teitell LLP represents several New Milford, Connecticut residents in litigation seeking to address New Milford's water quality crisis. Class actions such as those filed by SGT can serve as a powerful tool for communities such as New Milford's impacted by environmental contamination, providing a pathway to hold polluters accountable, secure necessary remediation efforts, and establish medical monitoring programs, providing affected individuals with regular health screenings and early detection of diseases linked to exposure to hazardous chemicals like PFAS.
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Below are summaries of two class actions SGT has filed on behalf of New Milford residents. If you wish to learn more about your rights in connection with either of these lawsuits, please contact SGT today.
Vincent v. Aquarion
Silver Golub & Teitell LLP has filed a significant class action lawsuit on behalf of Connecticut customers of Aquarion Water Company, including New Milford, Connecticut residents. The lawsuit alleges that Aquarion Water Company knowingly supplied New Milford, Connecticut residents and others with water contaminated with harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to its customers. PFAS, known for their persistence in the environment and potential adverse health effects, have been linked to cancer, hormonal disruptions, and developmental issues in children.
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The plaintiffs, led by New Milford, Connecticut resident Deborah Vincent, claim that Aquarion was aware of the toxic nature of PFAS and the availability of technologies to remove these chemicals from the water supply. Despite this knowledge, Aquarion allegedly failed to take adequate measures to mitigate the contamination, resulting in widespread exposure of their customers to dangerous PFAS levels. The lawsuit highlights test results showing PFAS concentrations in several towns' water supplies exceeding the newly proposed EPA limit of 4 parts per trillion (ppt).
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This case seeks to hold Aquarion accountable under the Connecticut Product Liability Act and the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act. The plaintiffs are pursuing damages, demanding comprehensive remediation efforts to ensure safe drinking water for all affected residents, and the establishment of a medical monitoring program for customers served with contaminated water. The litigation underscores the severe public health implications of PFAS contamination and aims to prompt significant regulatory and operational changes within Aquarion's water treatment practices.
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DePaul v. Kimberly-Clark
Silver Golub & Teitell LLP is representing Connecticut residents in the class action lawsuit, DePaul v. Kimberly-Clark, concerning allegations of extensive water contamination caused by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The lawsuit claims that Kimberly-Clark's manufacturing operations led to PFAS leaching into the local water supply, negatively impacting the health and property of residents in New Milford and surrounding areas. PFAS are persistent environmental pollutants known for their links to serious health issues such as cancer, hormonal disruptions, and developmental delays.
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The plaintiffs argue that PFAS spread through stack emissions and landfill leachate. Stack emissions involve the release of PFAS into the air during manufacturing, where they can travel long distances before settling into land and water bodies, eventually infiltrating groundwater. Landfill leachate occurs when PFAS-containing waste is disposed of in landfills; rainwater can percolate through the waste, picking up PFAS and carrying them into the groundwater system. This dual contamination pathway has led to elevated PFAS levels in local water supplies, posing significant health risks to the community​.
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The primary goals of the lawsuit are twofold: to secure remediation of the contaminated land and to establish a medical monitoring program. Remediation efforts aim to remove or neutralize PFAS from the affected areas, restoring safe drinking water and preventing further environmental damage. The proposed medical monitoring program seeks to provide ongoing health surveillance for residents exposed to PFAS, ensuring early detection and treatment of related health issues. These measures are crucial for addressing the long-term consequences of Kimberly-Clark's alleged negligence and for safeguarding public health​.