George H. Buermann, a partner and leader in the firm’s Environmental Law group, was quoted in an article for Leader’s Edge magazine discussing litigation cases involving PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances). Notably, nearly 110 million Americans may have been contaminated with PFAS though drinking water alone.
In “You Are What You Eat,” George talks about the three types of litigation against companies that are possible with PFAS contamination, why liability may be difficult to prove, and legal advice for potential liable parties.
“My biggest piece of advice to potentially liable parties is don’t stick your head in the sand,” George said. “Know what is going on with PFAS at the regulatory levels, dig into past real estate transactions, engage a competent environmental consultant to review your waste disposal processes, and scrutinize older insurance policies. PFAS is a true cause for concern. We can expect more regulations at the federal and state levels, lower ‘margin of protection’ threshold levels, and an uptick in litigation. This isn’t going away any time soon.”
Read the full article here:
“You Are What You Eat,” Leader’s Edge, January 21, 2020
More about Goldberg Segalla’s George H. Buermann:
George H. Buermann advises clients on complex environmental regulatory and compliance matters and litigates environmental and toxic tort disputes across the country. George offers clients in-depth knowledge of the state and federal regulations governing such disputes, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and others. He also litigates matters involving contamination and exposure to chemicals and substances such as lead, PFAS, 1,4-Dioxane, TCE, mold, and benzene. In addition to handling adversarial matters, George helps clients avoid litigation by providing strategic advice regarding federal and state regulatory and environmental compliance issues. His experience also includes handling construction losses and defects, as well as torts involving commercial property.