Plantiffs’ Attorney In Gas Leak Suit Outlines Case Vs. Peoples Gas
Front page of the complaint against Peoples Gas filed in Champaign County Circuit Court. Champaign County Circuit Court
Seventeen people are suing Peoples Gas for damages related to a natural gas leak north of Mahomet that affected their drinking water.
This follows a suit last fall by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan that resulted in a court order requiring Peoples Gas to find the cause of the leak, and make certain that residents affected by the leak had safe drinking water.
Matthew Duco is an attorney with Spiros Law, the firm representing the plaintiffs in the case. Illinois Public Media’s Brian Moline spoke with Duco about the reasons for the lawsuit.
Peoples Gas contends that the Illinois Department of Public Health has said that the water is safe for drinking and other everyday use.
Duco said that statement from Peoples Gas is misleading.
“The Illinois Department of Public Health has confirmed in writing to our clients that the levels of gas in their water is unsafe," Duco said. "And that essentially, told Peoples Gas through the attorney general’s office that they need to remediate that issue.”
The plaintiffs are seeking at least 50-thousand dollars each in damages, plus punitive damages against Peoples Gas.
Duco also said that documentation shows the gas leak goes back as far as October 2015. You can hear him outline that argument below.
Below is the report from the Illinois State Water Survey that Duco discussed:
Links
- Residents Affected By Gas Leak Sue Peoples Gas
- Measures Responding To 2016 Peoples Gas Leak Pass State Senate
- Peoples Gas Holds Meetings About Gas Leaks For Skeptical Public
- Attorney General Files Suit Against Peoples Gas
- State EPA To Canvas Homes Near Gas Leak In Rural Mahomet
- State Senator Asks Attorney General To Investigate Natural Gas Leak
- Residents, Lawyers Still Looking For Answers After Natural Gas Leak
- Public Meeting Planned After Natural Gas Leak North Of Mahomet