Access to clean water, fresh air, and a toxic-free environment is a fundamental human right. Ideally, we shouldn’t have to demand these things. However, things have changed since man progressed and crossed the boundaries of nature.
Humans have failed their environment, and the situation continues to get worse. Hundreds of people are exposed to chemical pollutants, toxic environments, and dangerous water; it is horrific that some communities struggle to find safe drinking water. Factory workers are exposed to chemical contaminants and forced to work in unhygienic conditions. These situations lead to severe infections, including headaches, bronchitis, skin irritation, etc. In addition, poor air quality and exposure to hazardous waste are serious issues that must be dealt with vigilantly.
Unfortunately, workers continue to face terrible conditions while employers exploit them. There is only one way to end this cycle of injustice: Environmental Litigation.
Here’s what you need to know about Environmental Litigation:
Environmental laws have been created to ensure the safety of food and water resources and safeguard society’s health and well-being. Environment Litigation is a lawsuit filed against companies or organizations releasing pollutants into the environment carelessly and creating potential hazards for people.
Families affected by environmental hazards can contact environmental lawyers like the Simmons Law Firm and hold companies accountable for their unlawful behavior. The firm has an excellent reputation for defending the rights of citizens affected by the unsanitary conditions surrounding dumping sites. It specializes in cases related to asbestos exposure and where people have developed diseases like Mesothelioma consequently.
Firms specializing in environmental law provide comprehensive advice to clients in dealing with complex, criminal, and administrative disputes and proceedings. This knowledge proves beneficial in recognizing one’s rights and raising your voice against issues that affect you. Lawyers also offer briefings on international ecological laws to facilitate the clients further.
Moving forward with the litigation would benefit victims and society in the following ways:
1. Secure Climate Justice
A significant issue is climate change and how it is affecting communities. Environmental litigation is a powerful tool to secure climate justice. It would help bring political attention to the issue of climate change. Moreover, it will kickstart economic initiatives and campaigns to protect the environment.
2. Raise Awareness
A significant half of the population is unaware that environmental pollution and climate hazards are real problems. Moreover, workers are completely unaware of their rights. Therefore, ecological litigations would help various affected families to get justice for the diseases and illnesses that occur due to the negligence of factory owners.
3. Government Action
Lawsuits not only raise awareness in society but also signal the government that people want change. Environmental litigation would eventually force the government to take action to reduce toxic gas emissions and protect vulnerable communities from climate change and the resulting adverse conditions.
4. Accountability of Corporations
Corporations are big giants that often get away with negligence. It frequently happens because there is no accountability. People with a skilled team of environmental lawyers could call out corporations and charge them with criminal negligence for ruining people’s lives and the environment. It would be a wake-up call for other companies to cancel their big carbon projects and pay attention.
5. Legal Requirements
Environmental litigation is critical in ensuring that requirements placed on businesses, corporations, and individuals are legal. In addition, the lawyers ensure that the legal conditions are not unduly demanding.
6. Strengthen Private Lawsuits
People who violated sanitary and health codes for environmental protection were not prosecuted in the past. The public’s attention towards filing environmental lawsuits would strengthen the role of the private sector in protecting the environment.
7. Useful Political Device
Politicians need hot topics to attract the public and gain maximum public support. The environmental problem is the most extensive plan in the current status quo. Regardless of intentions, environmental litigations would pave the way for adequate legislation.
Also Read: Questions to Ask Before Filing a Lawsuit for a Workplace Injury
8. Claim money for Damage
The environment is essential, but human life is equally important. Environmental Litigations are there to help victims claim damages. People have the freedom to demand cash for personal injuries, property damage, and the nuisance caused due to the release of pollutants and toxins. Factories often spill the waste into rivers and channels that irrigate fields. It is a downside for farmers, but they recover the damages by demanding money and ensuring that this does not happen again.
9. Better Environmental Laws
Environmental laws are present, but they aren’t strong enough. There is a dire need for better laws, which won’t happen until and unless people start reporting cases and taking legal action against corporate giants. Laws help cover several neglected areas, including air quality, water quality, waste management, contaminant cleanup, chemical safety, and resource sustainability. In addition, these laws would protect humans, animals, resources, and habitats.
FINAL WORDS
In West Virginia, citizens sued coal companies for polluting rivers and streams. In Washington, lawsuits forced dairies to clean up their sewage from cow’s contaminated drinking water. Citizens of Texas sued Exxon for polluting the air with 10 million pounds of pollution. There had been 1213 cases filed for justice-related climate change issues in the United States alone as of July 2020. It shows the power of environmental litigation in securing the rights of the people when they choose to stand against organized threats to personal health and security.
Human beings have the power to pollute, but they can also stop the polluters. They only need the proper direction provided by professional environmental lawyers who know their job well. Even if they fail a case, which doesn’t usually happen, you will win the race to bring awareness to society.
Companies and corporations polluting the environment and creating a hub of toxic working conditions must be brought to the forefront and held accountable for their role in jeopardizing the health of their employees and damaging the environment. Unfortunately, workers are either unaware of their power or forced into silence. Citizens can achieve victory by standing against polluters. Step up, and sue the responsible parties for pollution and government agencies that refuse to implement environmental laws. It is time to raise voices against injustice and save the earth for future generations.
Nancy Yates 
Donald Max 
GA Watson