ABOUT THE CASE:
- What is this case about?
-
This is a class-action lawsuit filed by residents of the city of SeaTac and surrounding areas alleging that airport operations contaminate neighborhoods near Sea-Tac Airport with a combination of pollutants including carbon monoxide, lead and particulate matter.
The complaint accuses Alaska Air Group Inc and Delta Air Lines Inc. of negligence, creating a public nuisance and continuing a public trespass. The complaint also brings an inverse condemnation claim on behalf of homeowners and renters, alleging that the Port of Seattle is responsible for damages to property that have been contaminated with airport-related pollutants.
The lawsuit, filed on April 19, 2023, in King County Superior Court, also alleges the Port of Seattle, which owns Sea-Tac Airport, and the airline companies have known about the pollutants and their associated health risks for years and have done nothing to mitigate them, despite the pollutants’ possible link to hundreds of excess deaths in the area every year, according to researchers.
- What is the status of this case?
-
We are actively investigating the facts to uncover the full extent of the misconduct in this new and ongoing case.
- Who are the defendants?
-
Currently, the lawsuit includes the defendants listed below. As we obtain more facts and data, we may add additional defendants.
Port of Seattle
Alaska Air Group Inc.
Delta Air Lines Inc. - Is this a class action?
-
We have proposed this case as a class action to the court, and the court will decide whether we can pursue this case as such. If the judge approves certification of the class, we will notify everyone who contacted us and opted to receive case updates.
- Who is affected?
-
The proposed class is defined as people who live within a 5-mile radius of the airport (in the Contamination Zone), and a homeowner and renter subclass. As the facts develop, this proposed class definition may change
- What about people who live outside the Contamination Zone?
-
We are still developing the facts of the case, and the final class definition may change based on the data and facts that are uncovered during the lawsuit. If this happens, we will notify those who have opted to receive case updates.
- What will I get out of the case?
-
It is too early to know what the result will be. We are going to fight for the best possible outcome for people who live within the Contamination Zone and people who rent or own residential property in the Contamination Zone, which will include medical monitoring, compensation for the loss of use and enjoyment of property, and funding for a cleanup of the area.
MY SIGN-UP INFORMATION:
- Did you receive my information?
-
If you received a confirmation email from Hagens Berman after submitting the form, your information has been received and is in our database. If you haven’t filled out the form, sign up here.
- What should I do if my contact information changes?
-
Please notify us at [email protected] with your new contact information.
MY STATUS IN THE CASE:
- Why am I not named in the complaint?
-
The individuals named in the complaint are class representative plaintiffs. Each class representative plaintiff serves as a proxy for all other individuals who live in the Contamination Zone and/or rent or own residential real property located in the Contamination Zone.
You do not need to be a class representative plaintiff to get a damage award from the case. If you are interested in serving as a class representative, please contact our team at [email protected].
- Am I a class member?
-
The proposed class is defined as people who live within a 5-mile radius of the airport (in the Contamination Zone), and a homeowner and renter subclass. As the facts develop, this proposed class definition may change.
- Does Hagens Berman represent me?
-
Submitting a form on our website does not create an attorney-client relationship with the firm. At the outset of a case like this, only the named class representatives in the complaint are represented by the lawyers who file the lawsuit. Once the lawsuit is certified by the court, then class counsel is appointed, and they represent all members of the certified class. If you are interested in becoming a class representative plaintiff, please let us know and we would be happy to talk you through what that special role in the lawsuit involves.
NEXT STEPS?
- How long do these kinds of cases take?
-
It can take years for a class action to reach trial or resolution because negligence class actions involving pollutants are some of the most complicated cases to litigate. We intend to vigorously prosecute these claims and have a team of lawyers with decades of experience handling this case.
- What should I do?
-
You are not required to take any additional actions now. We will keep you informed of significant case progress and potential next steps, if you have opted in to receive case updates.
OTHER LEGAL MATTERS:
- What if I have already been diagnosed with cancer or other serious health issues?
-
The remedies we are seeking in the class action include medical monitoring, compensation for the loss of use and enjoyment of property, and funding for a cleanup of the area. If you want legal advice about potential legal claims related to any serious health issues you are currently experiencing or have experienced, you may want to consult with an attorney that specializes in personal injury cases.
Thank you for helping us hold the Port of Seattle and the airlines accountable. Our team is working to respond to the many calls and emails we’ve received and will reach out if more information is needed.
Questions? Email [email protected]
