Current

From October 2015 to February 2016, a gas storage facility managed by Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) near Porter Ranch, California, leaked 100,000 tons of methane and other gas into the surrounding neighborhood. It was the largest gas leak to date in the United States. The leak was caused by the rupture of an oil well that had been neglected by SoCalGas for decades.

However, the rupture was to be expected. SoCalGas knew of other similar wells where corrosion deteriorated up to 60% of the well casing, the component that protects the well walls’ integrity. Without adequate casing, the walls become susceptible to structural damage. Nonetheless, SoCalGas elected to ignore the corrosion and its inevitable damage to the well walls.

When the corrosion ruptured the well in Porter Ranch in 2015–2016, large amounts of methane decreased oxygen levels in the air. Residents experienced the hallmarks of methane exposure, including nosebleeds, nausea, dizziness,
vomiting, and headaches.

Most egregiously, after discovering the gas leak, SoCalGas declined to alert the California Office of Emergency Services and Los Angeles County Fire Department for 3 days, even as Porter Ranch residents continued to suffer from methane exposure. SoCalGas was criminally charged for this concealment. When the gas leak was finally disclosed, over 8,000 residents evacuated from Porter Ranch and the surrounding communities. Though the leak was eventually repaired, many Porter Ranch residents continued to have symptoms.

Over 48,000 Porter Ranch residents filed civil lawsuits against SoCalGas to recover damages for their personal injuries, property damage, and pain and suffering from the gas leak. In January 2021, the Los Angeles Superior Court ruled that these civil cases could proceed to trial.

If you were impacted by this gas leak or have already filed a lawsuit against SoCalGas and are unsure of your case’s status, please call the experienced environmental lawyers at ACTS Law for help. We will explain every step of the
legal process and ensure that you receive the financial compensation you deserve. To schedule a free, confidential consultation call us today at 833-ACTS-LAWopens phone dialer or contact us online.

With offices in Los Angeles and San Diego, we proudly serve clients throughout Southern California.

Instant noodle soup cups are a staple convenience food at grocery and convenience stores.  They come in many shapes and are commonly marketed to families with children as a fast and convenient meal or meal on-the-go.  Unfortunately for children ages 4 to 12, certain instant soup containers present a significant danger.  The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that scald burns from instant soups account for more than 9,500 medical visits for child scald burns each year in the United States.  Many of these painful injuries can be prevented with safer container design and proper warnings.  For example, certain instant soup brands use a Styrofoam container that is tall, narrow at the bottom, and wide at the top.  This particular shape is extremely susceptible to tipping when filled with hot water and accounts for a significant amount of the childhood burn statistic.  A simple redesign of the container to provide a wider base, shorter height, and adequate warnings would reduce the frequency of these burns.

Plaintiff suffered a traumatic brain injury when organizers of CicLAvia failed to manage traffic flow in a safe and responsible manner.

Plaintiff suffered burns to over 84% of his body when a can of PlastiDip (rubberized paint material) exploded in his hand.

Plaintiff was traveling on her motorcycle on Sunset Boulevard when traffic began to stop in front of her. Unable to stop due to the brakes not working, she was forced to lay down her bike suffering severe brain injuries. Subsequent to the accident, it was learned that the brakes were defective and had been subject to a recall. Plaintiff has asserted a claim against both the manufacturer and the dealer who sold her the bike.