The firm’s Daniel Charest is one of three prominent attorneys appointed as Interim Co-Lead Class Counsel for a group of St. Croix residents and property owners in claims against a local oil refinery. The class action alleges that the facility formerly owned by Limetree Bay Ventures routinely emitted dangerous airborne chemicals and endangered public health. 

In this role, Mr. Charest will share responsibilities for the preparation and oversight of all pleadings, pretrial discovery and evidence on behalf of the class.

The EPA, the Virgin Island Department of Health and private testing labs previously documented emissions from the facility that include hydrogen sulfides, sulfur dioxide, sulfur oxides and oil droplets. The lawsuit states that concentrations of such chemicals in the atmosphere can result in adverse health conditions, including respiratory distress, skin conditions, mental impairment and cancer.

The litigation seeks funding of a long-term, court-supervised medical monitoring program, as well as compensation for negligence and nuisance claims among the property owners.