Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant Sewage Disaster

Thousands of Residents Affected by Invasive Odor and Polluted Ocean Areas

On July 11-12, 2021, the Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant unintentionally discharged 17 million gallons of raw sewage into the waters off Dockweiler and El Segundo beaches. At one point during the incident, the sewage flow was so bad that half of the Hyperion reclamation plant itself was flooded with sewage. Not only did the plant release this sludge directly into the Pacific Ocean, it also neglected to inform key city and county first responders, including fire and lifeguard personnel (much less the public), for several hours after the failure. The public was only made aware of the water conditions the next afternoon when county workers started posting closure signs at the beach. The fallout from this accident continues to affect the surrounding area, including an overpowering, repugnant odor settling over the South Bay area. If you have been affected by this accident, you may be entitled to relief.

The Effects Have Been Lasting 

For weeks since the Hyperion sewage accident, residents of El Segundo and its immediate surroundings have been inundated with an odor that residents have compared to a “giant outhouse,” “rotten eggs,” and just plain raw sewage. These odors are not just unpleasant but appear to have real effects on the health and welfare of El Segundo residents, who complain they are suffering from coughing spasms, headaches, nausea, and skin rashes as a result of the Hyperion catastrophe. Repairs are continuing at the facility, but authorities report that those repairs will take many weeks or even longer, and it is likely that the noxious fumes from the accident will remain for at least as long. 

If you live in El Segundo or the surrounding area and are experiencing symptoms of sewage exposure or are concerned for your health, you deserve a team that will fight for you. Contact us today or call (323) 310-1329 for your free consultation.

Your Health May Be in Danger 

In addition to the complaints of headaches, coughing, nausea, and rashes from the stench that is currently hovering over the city and its surrounding areas, Hyperion may have put people at risk of direct exposure to ocean water laced with raw sewage. Their decision to wait to inform any of the local authorities and the public could mean that thousands of people swam or boated in the contaminated ocean water before the beach was ever closed. Residents of El Segundo and the surrounding areas must be vigilant for any signs of health concerns like infection or respiratory illness. If left untreated, these conditions could turn life-threatening. 

Residents of the area should seek help immediately if they experience the following symptoms after being in the waters of Santa Monica Bay between July 11th and July 25th

  • Diarrhea 
  • Nausea/Vomiting 
  • Headaches 
  • Cramping 
  • Fever 
  • Weakness 
  • Loss of Appetite 

Exposure to raw sewage could cause serious illnesses such as: 

  • Cryptosporidiosis 
  • Diarrheogenic E. coli 
  • Encephalitis 
  • Gastroenteritis 
  • Giardiasis 
  • Hepatitis A 
  • Leptospirosis 
  • Methaemoglobinaemia 
  • Poliomyelitis 
  • Salmanellosis 
  • Shigellosis 
  • Paratyphoid Fever/Typhoid Fever 
  • Yersiniosis 

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with any of these conditions or has experienced these symptoms after being in the Santa Monica Bay in mid- to late-July, contact MLG by completing the form to find out what your legal options are.

Let Our Team Fight for You

The attorneys of McCune Law Group, have represented the rights of individuals in the Southern California region for decades. We believe that unscrupulous actors cannot go unchecked, no matter the size. With more than $1 billion in compensation obtained for our clients and successful verdicts against some of the nation’s largest companies like Wells Fargo, our team has the experience and skills to fight for justice against those who value their bottom line more than the public.

If you or someone you know has been affected by the Hyperion Accident. Contact us by filling out the form or calling (323) 310-1329 today!

Attorney Handling this Case

Portrait of Steven A. Haskins, Partner of McCune Law Group
Steven A. Haskins

Steven A. Haskins specializes in Class Actions; Complex Litigation; and Writs, Motions, & Appeals matters.  His extensive legal background includes experience working on matters involving antitrust, constitutional issues, contract and business disputes, labor and employment disputes, commercial and product-liability disputes, and probate matters. Over the course of his career, Mr. Haskins has prepared dozens of briefs for cases heard by the United States Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit of the United States Court of Appeals, and the California Court of Appeal. Mr. Haskins has also been involved in complex litigation in trial courts across the country, including a nine-month trial in San Bernardino County Superior Court that ended in a complete victory for his clients.

Before joining McCune Law Group, Mr. Haskins represented entities and individuals in a multitude of industries including manufacturing, property development, health care, media and entertainment, and non-profit corporations. He also worked alongside McCune Law Group during its representation of the State of Arizona Attorney General’s office in litigation against Volkswagen regarding its emissions scandal.

Mr. Haskins earned his J.D. at Brigham Young University, where he graduated magna cum laude and joined the Order of the Coif. During his time there, he also served as a judicial extern to the Honorable Paul Cassell of the United States District Court for the District of Utah and the Honorable Jill Parrish of the Utah Supreme Court.

He is currently an adjunct professor in the Engineering Department at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

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Are you experiencing health concerns after the Hyperion sewage dump?