West Virginia Chemical Spill Continues to Impact Small Businesses; Lawsuits Filed
Charleston, WV (PRWEB) January 22, 2014 -- Charleston-area personal injury firm The Bell Law Firm is now investigating claims of losses to the region’s small businesses due to the spill of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol still affecting nine West Virginia counties.
More small businesses forced into temporary closures due to the water contamination spill in Kanawha County are joining the class action litigation filed by The Bell Law Firm on Jan. 10 in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, (civil action nos. 14-C53 and 14-C55.)
Attorney and Kanawha County resident Harry Bell says his firm is feeling the impact of the water restrictions like many others.
“This incident isn’t just some kind of abstraction for the lawyers involved,” Mr. Bell said. “We’re members of this community, too. Our water still smells like licorice, and we’re certainly not alone.”
In the suits filed by The Bell Law Firm, the plaintiffs allege that loss of income, fear, anxiety, personal injury, property damage, annoyance and inconvenience resulted from the negligence of defendants Freedom Industries, Inc. and West Virginia American Water Company.
Questions remain over whether the reduced levels of MCHM in local water to less than 1 part per million is low enough to be considered safe. A report released by CNN on Jan. 16 cites CDC Director Thomas Frieden’s recommendation that pregnant women avoid contaminated water to demonstrate this point.
“I don’t think that just because it’s below that number it’s magically safe,” said Scott Simonton, vice chairman of the West Virginia Environmental Quality Board, according to CNN.
A second report released by West Virginia news station WTRF Jan. 20 describes residents’ hesitancy in accepting the safety of their water, as many still refuse to consume or use it.
Mr. Bell said, “It’s still unknown whether this chemical will linger in household plumbing. That kind of uncertainty is hard for everyone to live with.”
Small businesses interested in joining the class action suit filed by The Bell Law Firm can call 1-800-BIG-SPILL or visit the firm’s website at http://www.belllaw.com.
About The Bell Law Firm
With the legal and technical resources necessary to litigate the most complex personal injury cases, The Bell Law Firm is proud to represent injury and accident victims from their office in Charleston, West Virginia. Having recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims, the experienced attorneys at The Bell Law Firm work closely with their clients to successfully deliver justice on their behalf. For more information or for a free, no-obligation case review, visit belllaw.com or call 1-800-342-1701.
The Bell Law Firm
30 Capitol Street
Charleston, WV 25301
304-345-1700
Harry Bell, The Bell Law Firm, PLLC, http://www.belllaw.com/, +1 800-342-1701, [email protected]
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