Weitz & Luxenberg today commended Governor Andrew Cuomo for signing into law a bill that will give Hoosick Falls residents the opportunity to recover medical costs associated with drinking contaminated water.
“Gov. Cuomo’s action today has renewed hope for many residents who until now were prevented from taking legal action against Honeywell and St. Gobain – the companies responsible for their suffering,” said Robin Greenwald, head of the Environmental and Consumer Protection Unit at Weitz & Luxenberg. “We want to thank the Governor for recognizing the significant impact this contamination has had on the Hoosick Falls community.”
The law firm also recognized the sponsors of the legislation, Assemblyman John McDonald and Senator Kathy Marchione, for the role they played in the bill’s passage, as well as the perseverance of the Hoosick Falls community.
“Through their determination and hard work, Assemblyman McDonald and Senator Marchione showed that they are truly dedicated to helping this small community,” Greenwald added. “The courage and perseverance of this community is also admirable – while small, the residents of Hoosick Falls worked together and put up a tireless fight to show that they are not afraid of big business.”
The legislation will amend current law so that the three-year statute of limitations for bringing legal action for personal injuries caused by pollution will apply when the source of pollution is designated as a Superfund site, or the discovery of the illness, whichever is latest. Bills sponsored by Senator Marchione (S.6824A) and Assemblyman McDonald (A.9568) passed both the Senate and Assembly with overwhelming bipartisan support.
