\nLitigation cites negligence and cover-ups by rail transport giant<\/i><\/p>
WICHITA, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A Kansas federal court has granted class action status to a group of Wichita residents alleging that Union Pacific Corp. historically released hazardous waste from a rail\u202fyard site\u202fthat contaminated the soil and groundwater of thousands of surrounding properties, according to attorneys at The Lanier Law Firm.<\/p>
\nTesting shows the contaminants include chlorinated solvents and other chemicals with known links to cancer that have migrated from the property at 29th<\/sup> Street and North Grove Street for almost three miles throughout historically Black neighborhoods in northeast Wichita.<\/p> \nIn 2023, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) entered a corrective action decision against Union Pacific that specified a 10-year process of cleanup and remediation for the site.<\/p> \n\u201cFor decades Union Pacific failed to inform the state or nearby residents of this massive toxic discharge, leaving thousands of people to pay the price for years of neglect, cover-ups and corporate disregard for basic health and safety,\u201d says Mark Lanier<\/a> of the Lanier Law Firm, part of the legal team bringing the claims against Union Pacific. \u201cRather than do the right thing, Union Pacific simply didn\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p> \nThe primary contaminant released into the surrounding neighborhoods appears to be trichloroethylene or TCE, a solvent commonly used for metal degreasing. According to the KDHE, TCE is a colorless, carcinogenic liquid with added potential human health hazards to the central nervous system, kidneys, liver, immune system, male reproductive system and developing embryos. Among the damages requested by the class is compensation to cover the cost of installing home vapor intrusion mitigation systems.<\/p> \n\u201cThis certification is an important step forward for the Wichita families living with and suffering the effects of this contamination,\u201d says the Lanier Law Firm\u2019s Ryan Ellis<\/a>. \u201cThe court\u2019s decision allows these homeowners to pursue justice as one class, and we\u2019re honored to stand with them as we press their case against Union Pacific.\u201d<\/p> \nIn addition to the Lanier Law Firm, counsel for the class includes William R. Griffin of Martin, Pringle, Oliver, Wallace & Bauer LLP; Christopher T. Nidel and Jonathan Nace of Nidel & Nace PLLC; Ari Kresch of Kresch Legal Services PR PLLC; and Steven J. German of German Rubenstein LLP.<\/p> \nThe case is Faye Black et al. v. Union Pacific Railroad Company<\/i>, Case No. 23-1218-EFM-GEB in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.<\/p> \nAbout the Lanier Law Firm<\/span><\/b><\/p> \nThe Lanier Law Firm is an award-winning national trial firm specializing in a variety of practice areas, including asbestos exposure, pharmaceutical liability, business litigation and product liability. With talented attorneys in Houston, Fort Worth, New York, and Los Angeles, the firm has won more than $20 billion for clients since its founding in 1990.<\/p>