HOUSTON - Nearly 800 people have brought a legal action against Arkema, alleging property damage and injuries from toxic chemicals that were released from the company’s Crosby facility during Hurricane Harvey in 2017.
The negligence lawsuit seeks more than $1 million in damages and was filed April 4 in Harris County District Court.
According to the petition, the chemical release was the result of Arkema’s wrong doing as the company never heeded the warnings and ignored the foreseeable consequences of failing to prepare for the hurricane.
The suit states Arkema’s wastewater tanks released floating chemical constituents into the surrounding floodwaters.
“As a result of the fire, explosions, leaving their homes in fear, and mandatory evacuation, Plaintiffs herein have suffered property damages…,” the suit states. “Plaintiffs have also suffered loss of use and enjoyment of property… and emotional distress as a result of Defendant’s conduct.”
The suit further asserts that many of the plaintiffs have suffered maladies after having come into contact with the toxic substances released from Arkema’s facility.
The plaintiffs are represented by Dennis Spurling, Thompson Barney Law Firm and the Law Offices of P. Rodney Jackson.
Case No. 2024-21497