Beverly High appeal.L.A. County Superior Court Judge Wendell Mortimer Jr. headed off a major trial expected to begin this month by dismissing 12 lawsuits alleging that the old Beverly High oil and gas facilities and a nearby heating and cooling plant caused cancer. "It makes me feel good about the legal system," said Polly Towill, a partner at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP LLP - Lower Layer Protocol who represented Venoco Inc., the current operator of the Beverly High oil and gas facilities. "This judge had a huge task and took a lot of time and I think he reached the right decision." The suits, which has been in litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. for more than three years, asserted that toxic chemicals Any chemical which, through its chemical action on life processes, can cause death, temporary incapacitation, or permanent harm to humans or animals. This includes all such chemicals, regardless of their origin or of their method of production, and regardless of whether they are produced coming from the well has caused cancer to past students and nearby workers. Over the years, the Years, The the seven decades of Eleanor Pargiter’s life. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 1109] See : Time case ballooned to include approximately 1,000 plaintiffs. The decision was based on Sheppard's summary judgment motions that said that the plaintiffs had insufficient evidence insufficient evidence n. a finding (decision) by a trial judge or an appeals court that the prosecution in a criminal case or a plaintiff in a lawsuit has not proved the case because the attorney did not present enough convincing evidence. that the alleged chemicals caused, or could cause, their cancers. Allen Stewart, the Dallas-based lead attorney on the plaintiffs' case, could not be reached for comment but has said that he will appeal the decision. Also working on the plaintiffs' case in Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. is the Law Offices of Masry & Vititoe. That firm is still better known for employing Erin Brokovich than for its status as the national leader in environmental tort cases. Though not an attorney, Brokovich has been involved in the case. Judge Mortimer is expected to issue a more detailed ruling soon. |
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