WAGGAMAN, La. — Residents from several communities in Jefferson Parish will soon receive compensation for health-related issues linked to emissions from a local landfill, nearly six years after officials acknowledged the facility was producing unpleasant odors. Over 5,000 individuals from Harahan, River Ridge, South Kenner, Metairie, Waggaman, Avondale, and Bridge City are set to receive payouts totaling $4.5 million as part of a class-action settlement related to emissions from 2017 to 2019.
The Jefferson Parish Council approved the settlement in August, resolving a federal lawsuit initially filed in 2018. Despite this settlement, a new legal battle has emerged as approximately 1,500 residents have filed a fresh lawsuit against the landfill’s previous contractors, Waste Connections and APTIM. Earlier this year, a federal court denied class-action status in this latter case, meaning affected residents must pursue individual claims for damages against the companies.
Doug Hammel, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, indicated that even more residents might join the ongoing mass tort litigation related to the landfill. Waste Connections has not commented on the lawsuits, while APTIM has declined to make a statement. In a court filing, the defendants asserted that the alleged odors did not cause significant harm and described them as mere inconveniences.
Since 2018, Jefferson Parish has allocated over $10.4 million toward improvements at the landfill, including enhancements to its collection systems. An agreement has also been reached with River Birch to combine operations with its adjacent landfill until 2037. Notably, River Birch is not named in any of the ongoing lawsuits.
Among the plaintiffs is Robyn Crossman, 40, who moved to Waggaman in January 2018. Initially thrilled with her new home, she soon began to notice a stench resembling “burning tires,” which disturbed her sleep and triggered frequent migraines. Crossman, who already suffered from headaches, found her symptoms worsening in her new residence, often forcing her to miss work.
In July 2018, former Parish President Mike Yenni and Councilman Paul Johnston admitted that the landfill’s collection systems were malfunctioning, which contributed to the foul odors plaguing nearby communities. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality identified the landfill as the primary source of the smells.
A series of lawsuits followed, many of which were eventually combined into two main legal actions filed in federal court. Judge Susie Morgan ruled in 2022 that emissions from the landfill were likely responsible for a range of health issues, including headaches, nausea, and anxiety, affecting residents’ overall quality of life.
Jefferson Parish reached a separate $4.5 million settlement for another mass tort lawsuit involving over 500 plaintiffs shortly before the trial, although details of that agreement have not been disclosed. Additionally, the parish paid $700,000 to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to settle compliance measures related to issues cited from 2018 to 2021.
The class-action lawsuit aimed to secure damages for any residents living within a 46-mile radius of the landfill during the relevant years. In March, Judge Morgan ruled against class certification for the 5,000 residents pursuing claims against Waste Connections and APTIM, allowing each resident to present their cases individually in court.
Plaintiffs in this latest lawsuit, including Crossman, are seeking damages of up to $74,999 per individual. Reflecting on the protracted legal process, Crossman expressed hope for accountability from those responsible, stating that community voices must be heard and addressed adequately.
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