Wave of lawsuits over toxic Orange County chemical plant catastrophe begin

A class-action lawsuit seeking accountability for the chemical tank that is threatening to explode and has forced 50,000 people out of their homes in California has been filed against GKN Aerospace.

The X-Law Group P.C. and Presidio Law Firm filed the lawsuit over the weekend on behalf of Garden Grove residents that claims the firm failed to properly protect the community from the hazardous material. 

“Garden Grove families did not sign up to live next door to a major industrial chemical emergency, and they deserve answers, accountability, and representation now—not after critical decisions about testing, cleanup, and compensation have already been made,”  said Filippo Marchino, founder and Managing Partner of The X-Law Group, according to KTLA. 

Since Thursday, when a leak was reported at the facility, authorities have been working around the clock to stabilize the 34,000-gallon tank that contains methyl methacrylate — a highly volatile industrial chemicals used to make acrylic plastics.

Marchino told the outlet the “risks associated with chemicals like MMA are well understood within the aerospace sector” and failures involving the storage tanks can lead to “large-scale public safety emergencies within minutes.” 

The Post reached out to The X-Law Group and Presidio Law for comment. 

The lawsuit aims to recover compensation for evacuation costs, including the diminished property value and related damages for Garden Grove residents. 

Officials were concerned the pressurized tank could explode, however, on Sunday afternoon experts said the situation has improved dramatically. 

In a joint statement from the city of Westminster and the Westminster Police Department, experts described the situation as “critically positive.”

“OCFA has reported the tank has cracked and released some pressure, taking away the potential of a catastrophic explosion. There is no leak of chemical substance. This is a new positive development and the science experts are still evaluating this,” according to the city and police officials

Air quality sensors placed around the site have not detected any toxic releases, despite the structural change in the tank.