Air Contamination Litigation

Over $1 Billion Recovered for Accident Victims. We are proud to have a reputation for aggressively fighting for the rights of injured workers.

Air Pollution Lawyers

Air pollution poses a very real danger to the residents of New Orleans, the state of Louisiana, and industrial areas across the United States. Heavy industrial activity and other factors compromise air quality, creating a host of serious health and environmental concerns. Increased cancer risks, respiratory problems, and cardiovascular issues are just a few of health risks associated with air pollution in Louisiana.

The problem is especially serious in the area stretching between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, which has become known as “Cancer Alley.” The region is home to a high concentration of industrial facilities, including oil refineries, petrochemical plants, and manufacturing operations. Cancer Alley got its name because of the higher than average rates of cancer among residents of the area.

New Orleans Air Pollution Lawyers

If you live in an area with heavy pollution and have suffered illness or injury as a result of exposure to toxic air, contact the law firm of Lambert Zainey Smith & Soso without delay. We’re the air contamination lawyers Louisiana residents turn to when they need justice.

You may be entitled to compensation for your condition (including medical expenses and lost wages), provided you can prove a connection between your illness and local air pollution levels. Our team of air pollution lawyers know how to connect the dots between a medical condition and exposure to harmful air contaminants, enabling our clients to collect significant compensation for the damages resulting from their illness.

Common Air Contaminants

There are many types of contaminants in Louisiana’s air that can affect human health. Some of the most common include:

Smoke Stacks Against Blue Sky
Particulate Materials

Dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets can get deep into the lungs and bloodstream.

Electric Towers during Golden Hour
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)

Also known as “forever chemicals,” PFAs have been linked to cancer, liver damage, and immune system effects.

industrial plant
Benzene

Commonly used in the petrochemical refining process, benzene exposure can lead to leukemia, anemia, and other blood disorders.

Plant emissions
Ethylene Oxide

This compound has been linked to breast cancer, lymphoma, and respiratory diseases.

Air pollution litigation
Ground Level Ozone

Created by chemical reactions between pollutants from cars, power plants, or other sources in the presence of sunlight. Inhaling ground level ozone can result in a number of health effects for young children, the elderly, and people with respiratory diseases such as asthma.

Brown and White Factory Building during Night Time
Chromium and Vinyl Chloride

Both are prevalent in local industrial emissions and are known to increase cancer risk and cause respiratory and neurological damage.

Carbon monoxide pollution
Carbon Monoxide

Generated by internal combustion engines and other sources, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, highly toxic gas. Exposure to high levels of carbon monoxide can be fatal in enclosed spaces.

Exposure to any of these pollutants can be detrimental to human health, leading to issues like respiratory diseases like asthma and COPD, neurological damage, birth defects, and even cancer. For residents of Cancer Alley facing a health crisis linked to toxic air quality, the consequences of living in a high-pollution area have been life-changing. In addition to human health issues, air pollution also harms the state’s environment by contaminating soil and water, creating additional issues for communities already vulnerable to pollution.


Companies We’ve Fought Against

Lambert Zainey has obtained recoveries from a long list of maritime companies, including some of the biggest names in the industry.

Legal Grounds for Air Contamination Litigation

Federal, state, and local laws limit the types and amount of contaminants that businesses can release into the air. When businesses violate these laws, either through negligence or intention, and people become harmed as a result, they can be held liable for the damage they’ve caused.

Depending on the circumstances, individuals harmed by air pollution in Louisiana may be eligible for compensation to cover:

  • Current, ongoing, and anticipated medical expenses.
  • Pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life.
  • Lost wages, reduced earning capability, loss of employment, etc.
  • Wrongful death.
  • Property damage.

If you believe your illness was the result of air pollution, it’s important to take immediate steps to protect your rights. Your first move: call Lambert Zainey to schedule an initial consultation with one of our Louisiana air pollution lawyers. The sooner we get to work on your case, the better your chances of obtaining the full compensation you deserve for your damages.

As long time residents of Louisiana, we’re deeply committed to the pursuit of environmental justice, particularly for low-income and minority communities that bear the brunt of industrial pollution. Petrochemical and other industrial facilities are disproportionately located near these communities, exposing residents to higher levels of pollutants. By representing individuals and communities in air contamination litigation, Lambert Zainey works to serve justice, holding polluters accountable and striving to improve conditions for current and future generations.

case results

Over $1 Billion Recovered for Maritime Accident Victims

see all case results
Murphy Oil Spill
$330 MILLION SETTLEMENT

Oil storage tank rupture at the Murphy Oil USA refinery in Chalmette, LA. The fastest class certification and resolution of a case of its type and magnitude to date.

ARCO Explosion
SETTLED IN ONLY 12 MONTHS

Arco cryogenic platform explosion caused by improper cold cut of Southern Natural Gas pipeline. Settlement for the injured and deceased in approximately twelve months.

Our Approach to Air Contamination Cases

Lambert Zainey has a long history of standing up to large corporations and holding them accountable for the harm they cause. We’ve prevailed against some of the nation’s biggest polluters. We have a reputation for being tough and relentless when it comes to protecting the rights of our clients — we’re the air contamination lawyers polluters hate to deal with.

With our decades of experience, Lambert Zainey can successfully guide you through every step of the air contamination litigation process. It starts with us investigating the type and extent of the contamination, as well as identifying the parties responsible for releasing toxic pollutants into the environment. Next, we gather the evidence (medical records, property assessments, air quality data, and other relevant documentation) needed to demonstrate the link between the air contaminants and the damages suffered by individuals or communities.  

Our environmental litigation lawyers also work closely with experts in fields such as environmental science, toxicology, and epidemiology. These experts can provide critical insights into the harmful effects of specific contaminants and reinforce the evidence linking pollution to a client’s health issues.

We use the evidence to negotiate with the at-fault polluters and their insurance company. We don’t give up until they’ve obtained the best settlement possible for our clients. If negotiations fail to produce a satisfactory settlement, then we are ready and able to take your case to court.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jones Act Claims

It’s important to start investigating and collecting evidence as soon as possible. Evidence in an air contamination case can include medical records, proof of exposure to specific pollutants, expert testimony, and data that links exposure to air pollution to health conditions.

In Louisiana, air pollution cases can take anywhere from several months to a year or more to resolve, depending on the complexity of the case, the extent of the investigation required, and whether the responsible parties are willing to negotiate a settlement.

Depending on the extent of your losses, you can collect compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, reduced quality of life, pain and suffering, wrongful death, and property damages. Each case is unique, and our Louisiana and air pollution lawyers work closely with clients to determine the full extent of their damages.

At Lambert Zainey, we offer free consultations and accept air pollution cases on a contingency basis for air contamination cases. We don’t charge clients upfront retainers, but collect our fees as a percentage of the final cash settlement.

Speak to a Louisiana Air Pollution Lawyer Today

Everyone has the right to clean air and a safe environment. At Lambert Zainey, we are committed to making those responsible for pollution pay for the damages they’ve caused. If you believe you’ve become ill due to toxic air pollution, call us today to speak with an experienced air contamination litigation lawyer.

You can reach us by phone at (504) 581-1750 or through our website to schedule your free initial consultation today!


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