by Williams Cedar, LLC | Jul 14, 2023 | Environmental Law
The major chemical manufacturer, 3M Co., has agreed to pay $10.3 billion as part of a settlement with water providers over their role in contaminating water sources with perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, collectively known as PFAS. These chemicals, which are commonly used in the manufacturing of many consumer products, have been linked to a number of serious health conditions, including birth defects in pregnant women. The settlement is meant to help redress communities that have been affected as a result of exposure to these chemicals.
What Are PFAS?
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, more commonly referred to as PFAS, are a type of chemical used in a variety of industrial and commercial contexts. Among other things, they are used in firefighting foam to combat certain types of dangerous fires and are also used to make non-stick and stain-resistant surfaces for things like cookware and clothing. They are sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals” because of how resistant they are to breaking down, meaning they persist in the environment for long periods.
What Are the Dangers of PFAS?
Exposure to PFAS has been tied to a number of serious health conditions. These include, but are not limited to:
- High cholesterol
- Liver damage and changes in liver enzymes
- Increased risk of certain types of cancer, including kidney, breast, and testicular cancer
- Increased risk of thyroid disease
- Decreased fertility
- Increased risk of miscarriage
- Low birth weight in newborn infants
- Reduced vaccine response in infants
- Increased risk of pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia
Why Did 3M Agree to This Settlement?
3M is one of the largest manufacturers of PFAS in the world, and has profited immensely off the sale of these chemicals for decades. However, it was facing at least 300 lawsuits from local water providers after its chemicals were found to have contaminated their water sources. The money from this settlement is meant to help address the costs of cleaning up the contamination, a process that is likely to take years.
What Should You Do if You Have Been Affected by PFAS?
If you are in a community that has been affected by PFAS and you or someone you love has experienced the symptoms above, you may be able to seek compensation for the harm you have suffered. That is why you should speak to a lawyer with experience handling environmental contamination claims. They can help you to explore all of your legal rights, and ensure you receive the justice you deserve.
Williams Cedar is a law firm dedicated to helping clients with personal injury, environmental law, and civil rights cases. We specialize in assisting clients who have been injured due to exposure to environmental toxins, including veterans and their loved ones. If you need legal assistance due to toxic exposure or other related matters, please give us a call at our New Jersey and Pennsylvania offices at (215) 557-0099, or visit our contact page.
by Williams Cedar, LLC | Jul 14, 2023 | Civil Rights Law
Communities count on police to protect them from harm. Unfortunately, some police officers will abuse the trust and authority placed in them, committing excessively violent acts against criminal suspects and innocent civilians alike. This is known as police brutality, and you should learn to watch for the signs of police exceeding their legal authority.
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by Williams Cedar, LLC | Jul 14, 2023 | Uncategorized, Personal Injury Law
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) celebrated its annual July 4 campaign against drunk driving. This campaign was meant to remind people of the dangers of drunk driving, as well as to spread awareness of ways to avoid driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Holidays such as July 4 tend to see much higher rates of drunk driving compared to other times of the year, with the summer being one of the worst times of the year for DUIs.
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by Williams Cedar, LLC | Jun 9, 2023 | Civil Rights Law
An attorney who was allegedly fired from her job as an adjunct professor at a New Jersey public university will be allowed to pursue her civil rights claims in federal court, despite a case related to the same circumstances ongoing before the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. This ruling, passed down by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, says that the Younger abstention doctrine did not apply in the case, which can prevent someone from pursuing a claim in both state and federal court at the same time. However, due to the circumstances of the case, the Third Circuit ruled that Younger did not apply, allowing her to continue pursuing her claims in federal court.
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by Williams Cedar, LLC | May 3, 2023 | Civil Rights Law
Police officers are supposed to be responsible for maintaining public safety, investigating crimes, and apprehending criminals, all while respecting the rights of citizens. However, police officers will sometimes act in a manner unbecoming of their profession, resulting in unnecessary and avoidable harm. Here are six types of police misconduct you should watch out for if you ever have an interaction with law enforcement:
- Use of excessive force
- One of the most common forms of police misconduct comes from the use of excessive force. This is when an officer uses violent force to detain or restrain a suspect far beyond what is actually necessary, resulting in undue harm to the suspect. This can result in severe injuries, or in some cases, may even result in a suspect’s death, before they have even been formally charged with a crime.
- Racial profiling
- Another shockingly common form of police misconduct is the use of racial profiling. This is when a police officer specifically targets someone based on their apparent race or ethnicity, subjecting them to interrogation, search, seizure, or arrest. This can result in significant violations of someone’s civil and constitutional rights, and even put them in danger of prosecution for no reason.
- Witness tampering
- When people think of witness tampering, they may imagine corrupt lawyers or shady criminals trying to intimidate witnesses into silence. However, some police officers will exert their influence on witnesses as well, convincing them to testify in a certain way that is beneficial to them. This type of police misconduct can be used to further a legally shaky prosecution, or to prevent witnesses from reporting other types of misconduct.
- Unlawful search and seizure
- Police are prohibited from performing an unreasonable search and seizure without probable cause, according to the Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. However, police will sometimes conduct a search of a person’s belongings or residence without a valid reason, or even seize property without it actually being evidence of a crime. Even if you are not prosecuted, you can still have your privacy violated and your property taken by police.
- Coerced confessions
- When people are arrested and interrogated by the police, they can face extraordinary pressure to confess to a crime, regardless of whether they actually did anything wrong. When interrogators cannot get a confession through conventional means, they may resort to illegal methods, like denying access to food or water, or preventing someone from using the bathroom. This type of police misconduct is incredibly effective at coercing confessions, and may lead to a false prosecution.
- Malicious prosecution
- This type of police misconduct comes about when a police officer or prosecutor chooses to bring a criminal case despite a lack of evidence of a crime. Even if a case is ultimately thrown out, it can lead to substantial civil rights violations, lost income, and reputational damage. When a malicious prosecution results in a conviction or plea deal, the damage can potentially last a lifetime.
Williams Cedar is a law firm dedicated to helping clients with personal injury, environmental law, and civil rights cases. We specialize in assisting clients who have been injured due to exposure to environmental toxins, including veterans and their loved ones. If you need legal assistance due to toxic exposure or other related matters, please give us a call at our New Jersey and Pennsylvania offices at (215) 557-0099, or visit our contact page.
