Oil and Gas Companies, Local Government Knew about Toxic Fumes, Complaint Alleges

LOS ANGELES -- Alumni and current students of Beverly Hills High School, as well as neighbors of the school, have sued several oil and gas companies and the school district alleging that the defendants knew harmful chemicals emitted from energy plants and oil derricks adjacent to the school were causing injuries. Bussel, et al. v Venoco, Inc., et al., No. 297083 (Calif. Super. Ct., Los Angeles Cty.).

The complaint, filed on Jan. 2 in Los Angeles County Superior Court, is the third such complaint filed by plaintiffs' counsel, alleging that residents developed cancer from exposure to the toxic fumes.