In a recent news report by Florida Today, Shutts & Bowen partner Kenneth W. Wright discussed the mandated use of toxic firefighting foams and how the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS have contaminated soil and groundwater in airports across the country.
The article discusses a federal, multi-district product liability lawsuit alleging that the manufacturers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) knowingly sold the dangerous chemicals, which are mandated at airports for firefighting uses. Specifically referencing the latest city in Florida to join the litigation and a potential related cancer cluster at a nearby air force base, the article discusses the affect PFAS chemicals have had thus far on Florida’s airports. The latest lawsuit is similar to the suit filed by the Shutts team, on behalf of the Orlando-Sanford International Airport, which was the first to be filed in the State. The suit seeks to recover costs and damages related to the “investigation, remediation, removal, disposal and monitoring of the ongoing contamination of its property.”
Commenting on his prior PFAS litigation experience, Ken explains that airports hoping for any compensatory recovery for the contamination should file suit. “If you don’t file a lawsuit, and don’t get in line, you won’t get money from these people,” he said.
To read the full article, click here.
About Kenneth W. Wright
Kenneth W. Wright is a partner in the Orlando office of Shutts & Bowen LLP, where he is a member of the Government Relations Practice Group. Kenneth has a strong background in issues ranging from public sector litigation to land acquisition and currently focuses his practice on government relations, land use/environmental law, and administrative and regulatory law. He often represents clients before government entities at the local and state levels, including commissions and regulatory agencies. Kenneth has been called to lead groups that shape statewide environmental policy and regional development. He formerly chaired the Florida Environmental Regulation Commission for ten years. He has forged strong relationships with local, state and federal agencies that oversee real estate development and environmental permitting – and utilizes his regulatory relationships and decades of experience to advocate for his clients in claims related to causation and contamination.