Fishman Haygood Environmental Team Resolves Land Contamination Lawsuit and Continues to Pursue Full Regulatory Clean Up

Attorneys Jim Swanson, Blair Schilling, and Lance McCardle, along with their Jones, Swanson, Huddell & Daschbach co-counsel, successfully resolved a large oil and gas contamination lawsuit on behalf of Louisiana Wetlands. The case was pending in the 16^th Judicial District Court for the Parish of St. Mary (See Louisiana Wetlands, LLC v. Energen Resources Corporation, Chevron USA, Inc., Southern Natural Gas Company, LLC, EP Energy E&P Company, LP, and Brammer Engineering, Inc., No. 13057, 16^th JDC, La.).

The lawsuit alleged, inter alia, that the oil and gas defendants, including Chevron USA, Inc., Southern Natural Gas (SNG) Company, and Energen Resources Corporation, violated their duty to act as reasonably prudent operators under the applicable contracts and Louisiana law, as well as failed to adhere to state and local regulations. Accordingly, Louisiana Wetlands requested that the court require defendants to restore the property to its original condition in accordance with state law.

Chevron and SNG admitted liability before the Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”). The matter continues to be pursued before the DNR and the Court to ensure that Chevron cleans up the property to regulatory standards.

Fishman Haygood’s broad environmental litigation practice focuses on the representation of clients on both sides of the “v”.  While we represent Fortune 500 oil and gas contractors and petrochemical operators regarding spills, refinery emissions, disposal, and regulatory enforcement matters, we also represent landowners and individuals in environmental personal injury, contamination, and land-loss suits against oil/gas operators. Based on the prevalence of the petrochemical and oil/gas industries in Louisiana, we often handle environmental matters regarding industrial disasters, regulatory enforcement proceedings, contamination, industry-induced coastal erosion and land loss, and trespass issues. Click here to learn more about the firm’s Environmental group.