More than four dozen people living near the Chiquita Canyon Landfill have filed suit against the landfill's operators, claiming they and their families have been sickened by alleged noxious gases emanating from the landfill.
The lawsuit was filed first in February in Los Angeles County Superior Court, but was removed to L.A. federal court on March 25.
According to the complaint, the alleged noxious gases, which include hydrogen sulfide, have emanated from the landfill since 2023, when an alleged uncontrolled subsurface reaction began at the landfill. According to the complaint, officials and other observers have reported witnessing "geysers" of leachate - or polluted wastewater - erupting from within the landfill. The eruptions allegedly have been accompanied by the noxious gases.
The lawsuit asserts the landfill has been disposing of up to 4 million gallons of contaminated wastewater each month for nearly a year.
According to the complaint, the landfill operators allegedly have not done enough to contain the eruptions and emissions. The complaint asserts this has resulted in "thousands" of people living and working nearby who have been sickened, suffering from headaches, nausea, respiratory issues, and other illnesses.
"Activities such as gardening, hiking, or recreating outdoors at the nearby Hasley Equestrian Center, Hasley Canyon Park, or Val Verde Park have been halted, as residents fear for their safety," the lawsuit claims. "Children who attend neighboring schools ... are unable to enjoy their adolescent years as the noxious odors and elevated levels of toxic gases prevent them from spending time outdoors and have the potential to increase their risk of developing cancer."
The lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages for the alleged costs of treating illnesses and for alleged damage to their property, plus punitive damages and attorney fees, among other damages. They are also seeking a temporary restraining order forcing the landfill operators to remedy the alleged "fugitive emissions."
Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Paul R. Kiesel, Mariana A. McConnell, Marine Davtyan and Lauren M. Kiesel, of Kiesel Law LLP, of Beverly Hills; and Harout Keosian and Eileen Keusseyan, of Keosian Law LLP, of Encino.