‘Not Caused by an Act of God’: In a Rare Court Action, an Oregon County Seeks to Hold Fossil Fuel Companies Accountable for Extreme Temperatures

When scientific studies showed that the extreme temperatures were caused by heat domes, which experts say are influenced by climate change, county officials didn’t just chalk it up to a random weather occurrence. They started researching the large fossil fuel companies whose emissions are driving the climate crisis—including ExxonMobil, Shell and Chevron—and sued them.

Suing more than a dozen industry players over a deadly heat dome in Oregon

Jeffrey B. Simon believes the blame lies with the fossil fuel industry. His firm, Simon Greenstone Panatier in Dallas, and their co-counsel are suing more than a dozen companies and industry insiders for $52 billion in damages and future costs for climate adaptation, on behalf of the Oregon county.

The Lawyer Suing 17 Fossil Fuel Companies

The Lever speaks with a lawyer suing the fossil fuel industry for its role in a deadly heatwave. On this week’s episode of Lever Time Premium, exclusively for The Lever’s supporting subscribers, Frank Cappello speaks with lawyer Jeffrey B. Simon, who is suing 17 fossil fuel companies for their contribution to a 2021 heatwave that… Continue reading The Lawyer Suing 17 Fossil Fuel Companies

Montana Climate Ruling Boosts Case for States’ Green Amendments

A state judge’s ruling this month that Montana’s energy project permitting laws violate constitutional rights to a healthy environment is a historic win that highlights how affirmative constitutional climate rights—also called green amendments—can be useful in the legal movement to stem emissions.

A Trial Attorney Is Suing Fossil Fuel Companies for $1.15 Billion

The fossil fuel industry is killing our planet. One trial attorney is suing fossil fuel companies for $1.15 billion to protect a community — and everyone.

We’re Suing Fossil Fuel Companies for $1.15 Billion

Enormous harm was caused to this community. Millions of dollars were spent as a result of the loss of life, the property damage, the provision of cooling centers, and all the emergency health services that were necessary for a population where 40 percent of the residents don’t have air cooling systems in their home because… Continue reading We’re Suing Fossil Fuel Companies for $1.15 Billion

Semafor- Net-Zero- “One Good Text”

Jeffrey B. Simon, attorney representing Multnomah County, Oregon, in a recent lawsuit officials there filed to hold oil and gas companies liable for a heat wave last year that killed 69 people in the county. Simon is the author of the forthcoming book Last Rights, about corporate influence on the justice system.

Multnomah County is suing fossil fuel companies for $50B. Here’s the county’s argument.

A county lawyer says the “heat dome of June 2021 is entirely different because it is irrefutably, scientifically caused by carbon pollution.”

Why American Communities Are Suing Big Oil For Climate Damages

Jeffrey B. Simon is part of a legal team taking on Big Oil over the 2021 Pacific Northwest Heat Dome disaster — and says the era of fossil fuel companies evading responsibility for their role in the climate crisis is ending.

‘Tipping point’: Asbestos, opioid lawyers enter climate fray

In the past nine months, four law firms that specialize in corporate wrongdoing have filed lawsuits against oil and gas majors on behalf of local governments seeking compensation for the ravages of climate change. The filings signal that climate liability litigation — once mostly the domain of environmental firms and government attorneys — is drawing… Continue reading ‘Tipping point’: Asbestos, opioid lawyers enter climate fray