PKSD Newsletter: Is There Justice for Victims of Climate Change?

Across the U.S., Americans are experiencing devastating losses caused by numerous weather and other environmental disasters, causing property damage, personal injuries and loss of life. From wildfires in the Midwest that are destroying millions of acres of land and engulfing thousands of residential homes, to flooding caused by hurricanes and rising sea levels along the regions of the south and east coast.

This month’s newsletter from PKSD discusses the negative impact caused by climate change, the continued risks to Americans and some important steps you may be able to take to help.

In 2020, over a two-week period, as many as 900 fires ignited and demolished six times the amount of land that was destroyed in California by all the state’s wildfires for 2019. More than 100,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes, and simultaneously, three of the largest fires burned a ring surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area.

Scientists forewarn that these disasters, which they blame on climate change, will only continue to worsen. The New York Times recently reported how climate migration will continue to modify and negatively impact the America we know. Climate change experts predict that roughly 162 million Americans in the country are predicted to be impacted by a growing number of environmental disasters, and that millions more people may be forced to leave their homes.

Who is At Fault?

While many still refuse to see the writing on the wall and continue to deny that climate change is a real thing, there is an increasing number of Americans who believe that environmental disasters caused by climate change is real and a direct result of man-made interventions.

According to recent reports, an alarming 71 percent of today’s global emissions are caused by only 100 companies, not surprisingly, those companies are primarily in the fossil fuel industry. The potential risks were known decades ago, but these corporations managed to mislead the public using clever ad campaigns, while providing large financial contributions to influence various members of Congress.

What Can You Do?

Some groups of American children have attempted to hold fossil fuel companies liable for their actions by filing numerous public nuisance lawsuits. The allegations state that these corporations intentionally mislead the public and that they have continued to ignore current issues or to recognize or support any need for change. While many of these lawsuits have been unsuccessful, more have followed.

An article in The Washington Post discusses some important steps we can all take, such as setting local emissions goals and adopting a carbon tax, to help put a stop to climate change. Without taking necessary steps to reduce threats against the environment, the risks caused by climate change will not only continue to impact our generation, but the future of our children and generations to come.

Contact a Lawyer for Legal Help

PKSD is here to provide legal help when you or a loved one suffers a personal injury caused by the negligence of others. Our Milwaukee personal injury attorneys not only have a proven track record, but we have obtained millions in compensation for our injured clients. To learn whether you may have a valid case, we offer a completely free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our legal team to discuss your accident and potential for pursuing a lawsuit. If we take your case, there are no upfront costs or fees to pay while we represent you. We do not get paid unless you do.

Call our firm today at 414-333-3333 to learn more.