FAQ’S

Chiquita Canyon Landfill Litigation

Joining The Fight

  • A: Please click the “join the fight” button on the previous page to fill out our legal services agreement.

    Every adult in the household (18+) must fill out their own form. Once completed, one of our legal assistants will reach out to confirm your enrollment.

    For your children’s claims, please fill out the children’s legal services agreement AFTER completing yours or reach out to our staff.

  • A: If you live or work near the Chiquita Canyon Landfill and experience the odors of the Landfill, you may be eligible.

  • A: No it does not. Our firm works on a contingency basis, which means we will only be paid if we are successful in obtaining relief either through a settlement, award, or a final judgment, and that payment will only come out of that settlement, award, or final judgment.

  • A: Yes! We have a specific case entitled Elkins, et al., v. Chiquita Canyon Landfill to address the claims of all minor children. To get involved, fill out our legal services agreement or reach out to a staff member.

    You will be appointed as the Guardian ad litem on behalf of your children.

  • A: Of course! If you would like to schedule a time to meet with one of our attorneys, please let us know.

  • A: No. Unfortunately our litigation efforts only cover the Chiquita Canyon Landfill at this time.

  • A: No. Unfortunately you can only join one Mass Action.

  • A: Yes. If you work near the landfill and experience the effects of the landfill, you are more than welcome to join.

  • A: If you moved in the last two years, you may be eligible to join.

  • A: No. Our litigation is open to anyone who experiences the Chiquita Canyon Landfill.

General

  • A: Yes. Our firm is located at 31007 San Martinez Rd., Val Verde, CA 91384

  • A: We are only working with Stris & Maher, LLP. For more information on their firm see our “Case Updates”

  • A: Please see our resources on the previous page , for any case updates. For more, please send an email to admin@somlawyers.com, or give us a call at (855)-588-7664 ext. 706

  • A: Yes. Please check our calendar for all upcoming events and meetings HERE

  • A: We put all community events on our calendar, which you can find HERE. These are great places to connect with community members and relate to similar experiences.

  • A: If you have moved, or need to update your contact information, please use the form HERE or contact us at admin@somlawyers.com

Litigation

  • A: Yes.

    Our Initial Complaint (Howse v. CCL) was filed on August 25, 2023.

    • First Amended Complaint filed December 4, 2023.

    • Second Amended Complaint filed May 5, 2024.

    • Third Amended Complaint filed June 16, 2024.

    Our Initial Complaint for Minors (Elkins v. CCL) was filed on November 22, 2024.

    Our Initial CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) Complaint was filed on February 23, 2024.

    • First Amended Complaint filed March 4, 2024.

    • Second Amended Complaint filed July 24, 2024.

    Please see “Case Updates” to read the full complaints.

  • A: We are primarily calling for the close of the Landfill, mitigation of impacts on the community, and damages to be paid to residents impacted. 

  • A: Yes. We were the first law firm to file a lawsuit against the Landfill. We filed our litigation in August 2023.

  • A: United States District Court, Central District of California.

  • A: Our Adult case is entitled:

    Howse, et al. v. Chiquita Canyon Landfill, et al. | 2:23−cv−08380-MEMF-MAR

    Our Child case is entitled:

    Elkins, et al., v. Chiquita Canyon Landfill, et al. | 2:24-cv-10107

  • A: Yes. All court hearings are public and will be made available under our ‘Case Updates’ section when the time arrives.

  • A: “Both types of lawsuits are claims involving many people who have suffered similar injuries for which a single defendant may be liable.” - SuperLawyers

    A Class Action: is where a single lawsuit is filed on behalf of a “class,” the claim alleges that everyone has the same damages, injuries, etc. If a settlement or monetary conclusion is reached, each “class member” will receive the same amount of damages.

    A Mass Tort: is where there are individual lawsuits are grouped together. Each person’s alleged damages, injuries, etc. will be considered separately. If a settlement or monetary conclusion is reached, each person will receive their own, personalized damages.

  • A: We are pursuing this matter as a Mass Tort.

    When we first started the litigation process, back in August of 2023, we only had a few members of the community who reached out. Those people had similar claims and experiences. So, filing as a class action, made sense.

    Now, we have thousands of community who have joined. We realized quickly, that everyone has different experiences, costs, and damages associated with the Landfill. With that being said, we decided to transition to a Mass Tort filing. We will be seeking individual damages, for each of our clients, instead of generalized damages.

  • A: Yes. All health concerns will be taken under consideration within our litigation efforts.

  • A: Yes. All property damages or concerns will be taken under consideration within our litigation efforts.

  • A: Unfortunately we cannot provide a definitive timeline on how long the litigation process will last. Please be aware that these litigations do take some time and could take several years before a conclusion is reached.

Other Questions? Please email us at admin@somlawyers.com, or click the ‘Contact Us’ button at the top of the page.

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