California Idle Oil Wells Pollute the Air and Allegedly Cause Medical Concerns in Residents

The Environmental attorneys of McCune Law Group, McCune Wright Arevalo Vercoski Kusel Weck Brandt, APC, (MLG) are investigating bringing a lawsuit in connection with idle or orphaned oil wells which have allegedly polluted the air of California cities, causing growing medical concerns for residents. Idle oil wells in Southern California have been reported to be leaking dangerous and toxic gaseous chemicals into the surrounding area, worsening local air quality and allegedly causing health risks in cities like Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, and Ventura.

Gaseous Chemical Leaks from Idle Oil Wells Have Been Reported Nationwide

Idle or orphaned oil wells are oil drilling sites that have ceased operation for one reason or another but have not yet been plugged. These orphan wells often leak methane and othertoxic gases into the air or into local groundwater, polluting water sources for nearby residents and causing concerning symptoms. These dangers have been recognized by government agencies, and Congress has even allocated a staggering $4.5 billion to plug these idle or orphaned oil wells all over the country. Yet, many idle oil wells in Southern California have yet to be remediated, and some estimates find that tens of thousands of wells across the state may be idle. The EPA estimates there are roughly 3 million idle wells across the United States.

Over the years, analyses have been performed to examine the effects of idle oil wells on their local environments. One Ohio analysis found orphaned oil wells were responsible for nearly 25% of all groundwater contamination events from 1983 to 2007. Another report states orphaned wells caused nearly 60 instances of groundwater pollution or gas leaks since 2017 in Pennsylvania alone.

If you live, work, or go to school near an idle or orphaned oil well leaking methane or other gases in California and have begun experiencing health concerns, contact a McCune Law Group lawyer by completing the form to learn if you qualify to join the lawsuit.

Lawsuit Alleging Idle Oil Wells Cause Health Risks

The gaseous chemicals allegedly leaked into the atmosphere by idle or orphaned oil wells in cities like Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, and Ventura, California, are associated with well-documented health concerns if individuals are exposed. Reports claim the wells in California are allegedly releasing methane, benzene, arsenic, and hydrogen sulfide into the surrounding air.

Symptoms of exposure to methane, benzene, hydrogen sulfide, and arsenic from off-gassing orphan or idle oil wells include:

  • Headache
  • Coughing
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Skin irritation
  • Wheezing
  • Nausea

Additionally, benzene is a known carcinogen which may affect reproductive organs and function, as well as pass from mother to child in utero.

If you have experienced any of these symptoms while living, working, or attending school near an idle or orphaned oil well, contact a McCune Law Group attorney today to join the lawsuit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an idle or orphaned oil well?

Idle oil wells are wells that have stopped functioning but remain unplugged. Orphaned wells are those that have stopped functioning, but the owner of the site cannot be found or contacted. Both types remain open in the meantime, allowing toxic chemicals to pollute the air, soil, or groundwater nearby. Cities like Los Angeles, Huntington Beach, Bakersfield, Ventura, and Long Beach have a large number of idle or orphan oil wells which may be off-gassing toxic chemicals like methane.

There is no determined safe distance from an idle or orphaned oil well off-gassing chemicals. Some locations have experienced adverse effects from half a mile away. Others may feel the impact of pollution even further from the site if water sources or air is polluted and carried to nearby cities.

Experts have not been able to establish an exact threshold for dangerous exposure to off-gassing wells. However, reports from residents in Bakersfield, California, claim residents were experiencing adverse effects within a week or two of the discovery of a massive methane leak from an idle oil well.

How to Start Your Potential Idle Oil Wells Lawsuit

If you are a resident of Los Angeles, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, Ventura, or Bakersfield and have experienced worsening health concerns due to orphan wells leaking methane or off-gassing other chemicals, contact our team of Environmental attorneys today for a free consultation of your potential case. Our lawyers will go over the details of your potential case and determine if your case has merit. Here is what to expect from the process:

  • Fill out our contact form with your information  
  • Set up your free consultation  
  • Meet with our Environmental team  
  • Discuss your potential case  
  • Discuss your next steps  

Have you developed a headache, nausea, dizziness, or other health concerns due to chemical leaks from idle oil wells? Contact McCune Law Group by completing the form to join the lawsuit.

Protecting the Health and Interests of Californians

The lawyers of McCune Law Group have protected the rights and safety of clients nationwide for over 30 years. As one of the largest consumer law firms in Southern California, McCune Law Group exhibits devotion to ensuring the safety and health of Californians. Our team of Environmental lawyers ensures open communication and dedication to securing the best outcomes for clients who have been harmed as a result of corporations’ polluting practices which impact the environment and residents alike. Our law firm specializes in bringing justice to consumers nationwide, securing excellent returns for clients and standing up against corporations, government entities, and other agencies for negligent or malicious acts. Through holding large entities accountable for their destructive practices, McCune Law Group hopes to inspire other law firms and to develop a new culture that prioritizes clean business and residential health over profit.

If you are a California resident who has been impacted by the pollution from idle oil wells in your area, contact McCune Law Group to schedule a consultation to join.

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McCune Law Group, McCune Wright Arevalo Vercoski Kusel Weck Brandt APC is responsible for this solicitation. The information provided on this website is for general information purposes only. The information you obtain is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Use of this website or submission of the online form does not create an attorney-client relationship. 

Counsel Richard McCune is licensed to practice only in the state of California.  The law firm of McCune Law Group has attorneys licensed to practice law in AZ, CA, IL, MO, NJ, NY, and PA.  This information section is not intended to be a solicitation for services in states where it is forbidden for non-barred attorneys from advertising for services, and McCune Law Group does not have attorneys barred in that state. McCune Law Group is a national firm that brings lawsuits in a majority of the states. In states where one of its attorneys are not barred, it does so by filing the complaint along with local counsel barred in that state.  

The results discussed do not guarantee, warrant, or predict the results in future cases.