Duke Energy: $1.1B coal ash cleanup. Pacific Gas & Electric: $13.5B wildfire settlements. When utility companies prioritize profits over safety, people die and communities pay. These cases win.
Assess potential compensation for power plant emissions or coal ash contamination
Tell us about your exposure and damages
⚠️ Utility pollution claims require proof of causation and identifiable responsible party. Coal ash cases often become class actions. Wildfire cases have strict statutes. Consult attorney immediately.
Utility companies (electric, water, gas) cause environmental harm when infrastructure fails or pollution controls are inadequate. Coal ash ponds leak heavy metals into groundwater. Power plants emit mercury, sulfur dioxide, particulates. Natural gas facilities release methane. Aging infrastructure causes explosions, fires, contamination.
Legal theories: (1) Nuisance (pollution interferes with property use), (2) Negligence (utility failed to maintain infrastructure), (3) Strict liability (ultrahazardous activity), (4) Trespass (contaminants invaded your property). Many utility pollution cases become class actions because entire neighborhoods are affected.
Recent major cases: PG&E California wildfires ($13.5B settlements), Duke Energy coal ash ($1.1B cleanup), Flint water crisis ($626M). Utilities are deep-pocket defendants—settlements are substantial when liability is proven.
Residents, property owners, anyone harmed by utility negligence or pollution.
Many utility pollution cases become class actions because entire communities are affected. Duke Energy coal ash: 500+ residents. PG&E wildfires: 70,000+ claims. Class actions spread legal costs and create negotiating leverage.
Opt-out if you have catastrophic damages exceeding class average (wrongful death, total property loss, severe illness). Most people stay in class—guaranteed payout, shared legal costs, faster resolution. Consult attorney about whether to opt out.
Wildfire destruction: $100K-$1M+ per property. Coal ash contamination: $50K-$300K. Power plant emissions: $30K-$200K depending on health impact.
Wildfire destruction: Full property value + contents. Coal ash contamination: 20-60% devaluation. Property rendered uninhabitable: Relocation costs + lost use. Includes testing costs, remediation, temporary housing.
Cancer from coal ash heavy metals or power plant emissions: $200K-$500K. Respiratory disease (asthma, COPD): $50K-$150K. Birth defects or neurological damage: $150K-$400K. Includes medical costs, lost wages, pain/suffering.
PG&E Camp Fire: 85 deaths, $13.5B total settlement. Wrongful death includes: Lost income, loss of companionship, funeral costs, pain/suffering before death. Punitive damages if utility's conduct was reckless or intentional.
Join class action or file individual lawsuit. Report to regulators. Document everything.
Create official record of contamination/violation.
Prove contamination with lab results.
Many utility pollution cases are already in litigation.
Utility litigation requires expert witnesses and complex causation proof.
Build strongest case for maximum recovery.
Utility claims: 2-4 years from discovery in most states. Wildfire cases: 1-2 years from fire (strict). Act immediately.
Wildfire property damage: 2 years from fire. Personal injury/wrongful death: 2 years from injury/death. Strict deadlines—PG&E cases had court-imposed claim filing deadlines (months, not years).
Discovery rule: Statute starts when contamination discovered or should have been discovered. Coal ash leaks often undiscovered for years—clock starts when testing reveals contamination.
Flint lead contamination cases filed 2016-2019, settled 2021. Discovery rule applied—statute started when residents learned of lead exposure and health effects.
Utility pollution claims: 2 years from when you knew or should have known of contamination and resulting harm. Property damage and personal injury have same statute.
Shortest statute for property damage claims. Personal injury: 3 years. TVA coal ash spill (2008) had strict filing deadlines—many claims barred by statute.
Discovery rule for latent diseases from utility pollution. Clock starts when plaintiff knew or should have known of causal connection between contamination and illness.
⚠️ Wildfire cases have extremely short statutes (1-2 years). File immediately or lose right to recovery. Coal ash/water contamination: Longer statutes but document exposure now—health effects may not appear for years.
💡 Utilities have vast resources to fight claims. Early filing gives your attorney time to build strong case with expert testimony and comprehensive damages documentation.
Common questions about suing power companies, water utilities, and gas companies for contamination
Utility cases require expert engineering and medical testimony. We connect you with attorneys handling coal ash, wildfire, and contamination claims on contingency.