Why was Occidental Petroleum (Hooker Chemical) held liable for the Love Canal cleanup given that they:
1. Made reasonable attempts to inform everyone that toxic waste was buried there.
2. Took steps to contain the waste that were well above the standards of the time.
3. Acted in good faith (when compared to the other parties such as the School Board and the City).
It seems as if they were tried and convicted in the court of public opinion
2007-03-12 06:57:31 · 2 answers · asked by Gyromite 2 in Environment
I realize that the public felt they were guilty, but I would like to know on what legal grounds the government sued them (considering that the US Army was the first party to dump waste there).
2007-03-12 07:30:12 · update #1
Because residential homes were allowed to be built atop a toxic waste dump without knowledge as to the long term health affects of the residents.
If they had fenced in the property and left it alone, they never would have been in trouble.
But, when birth defects occur and it is blamed on the water, air and soil where you live, you will pay out the nose for damages.
2007-03-12 15:51:16 · answer #1 · answered by Christmas Light Guy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You answered your own question:
It seems as if they were tried and convicted in the court of public opinion.
2007-03-12 14:02:31 · answer #2 · answered by Flyboy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋