NEW ORLEANS – A waste management company named as a defendant in a class action lawsuit over odors coming from a Jefferson Parish landfill recently filed notice to move the case to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Waste Connections U.S. Inc. filed the notice Aug 17 to have the lawsuit, which also names Progressive Waste Solutions of LA Inc., IESI LA Landfill Corporation, Louisiana Regional Landfill Company Inc., Aptim Corporation and Jefferson Parish as defendants, from the 24th Judicial District Court for Jefferson Parish to the district court.
Elias Jorge "George" Ichtech-Bendeck named the companies as defendants in a class action lawsuit filed July 25 that alleges the companies allowed odors and gases from the Jefferson Parish landfill in Waggaman to harm residents.
"On or about Aug. 1, 2017, the purported 'sanitary solid waste' facility/landfill ... owned by
defendant Jefferson Parish and known as the Jefferson Parish landfill ... located in Waggaman began to emit noxious odors, believed to consist primarily of methane and hydrogen sulfide gases," the suit says.
A July Times-Picayune article details complaints of residents who claim the odors caused headaches and irritated their noses and throats.
The lawsuit seeks relief on behalf of each member of the proposed class, which could encompass all residents of Jefferson Parish. The damages would entail “past, present and future diminution in property value.” The suit also seeks special damages, as well as applicable penalties and expert witnesses and attorneys’ fees.