Suit alleges Washington Lake, the city’s primary water supply,
was “… unknowingly poisoned over many years”
NEWBURGH – The New York City law firm of Napoli and Shkolnik PLLC
has filed three lawsuits representing 165 Newburgh area residents who
claim PFOS and PFOA contamination of Washington Lake has poisoned them
over many years.
The carcinogenic chemicals are contained in aviation firefighting foam that was used at the Stewart Air National Guard Base at Stewart International Airport near Washington Lake and 2.5 miles from the City of Newburgh.
The suits, filed in State Supreme Court in Orange County, are against
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, leaseholder of the airport
from the state Department of Transportation; and Minnesota Mining and
Manufacturing Co., Tyco Fire Products LP, successor-in-interest to The
Ansul Company.
Attorney Tate Kunkel said it is believed those chemicals were consumed by the residents for years.
“The purpose of the case is to help get people compensation for their exposure to the PFOS that was coming through their drinking water and this is the first of many steps that we are taking to protect our clients’ rights for their injuries and their future injuries,” he said.
Kunkel said the plaintiffs reached out to his law firm seeking to take action. He said the state Transportation Department and Air National Guard have to be proceeded against in the Court of Claims where one can sue New York State and its entities.
Kunkel said the plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages for their existing personal injuries and diminution of the value of their properties. They also want to set up a medical monitoring fund for people with high PFOS blood levels, but without any manifest of personal injuries at this time. “We feel that they should not have to foot that bill out of pocket for any medical care for extra medical care above and beyond what they would normally get.
