Amended Complaint With Jury Demand Bishop Tube 2015 Aug 12
Amended Complaint With Jury Demand Bishop Tube 2015 Aug 12
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BRADLEY WARREN and PAULA GAY WARREN,
Civil Action
No.:
15-cv-1919 (GJPjJY
Oep. lerk
v.
JOHNSON MATTHEY, INC., BISHOP TUBE CO.,
WHITTAKER CORP., CHRISTIANA METALS
CORP., CENTRAL AND WESTERN CHESTER
COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY, ELECTRALLOY CORP.,
MARCEGAGLIA, S.P.A., MARCEGAGLIA USA, INC.,
CONSTITUTION DRIVE PARTNERS, L.P. and
SONOBOND ULTRASONICS, INC.,
First Amended
Complaint with Jury Demand
Defendants.
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Plaintiffs Bradley Warren and Paula Gay Warren, by their attorneys Harriton & Furrer, LLP,
as and for their Complaint herein, alleges as follows:
I.
Jurisdiction
1.
This Court also has jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 1331 and 42 U.S.C.
This Court has ancillary and/or pendent jurisdiction over Plaintiffs' state law
claims.
3.
9613(b) because a substantial part of the events giving rise to the claims occurred in this
District.
4.
The controversies in this case are justiciable, capable of disposition and Plaintiffs
Interested Parties
5.
Bradley Warren is an individual who resides at and owns the property located at
Paula Gay Warren is an individual who resides at and owns the property located
8.
Upon information and belief, Bishop Tube Company ("Bishop Tube Company") is
12.
Upon information and belief, the Central and Western Chester County Industrial
Upon information and belief, Constitution Drive Partners, LP. ("Constitution Drive
Ill.
From in or about 1951 until in or about 1999, the site located at 1 Malin Road,
From in or about 1951 through April 1, 1969, the Bishop Tube site was owned by
subsidiary companies of Johnson Matthey including J. Bishop & Co., Platinum Works, Matthey
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HARRITON
29.
Upon information and belief, from in or about 1989 until in or about January
1991, Electralloy operated the Bishop Tube site for the manufacturing and processing of metal
allow tubes and associated equipment.
30.
Upon information and belief, from in or about 1992 until in or about 1999, the
Bishop Tube site was operated by Marcegaglia through its subsidiary companies including
Bishop Tube, New Bishop Tube Co., Damascus-Bishop Tube Company and Marcegaglia USA
for the manufacturing and processing of metal alloy tubes and associated equipment.
33.
Upon information and belief, Marcegaglia is liable for the acts of Bishop Tube,
New Bishop Tube Co., Damascus-Bishop Tube Company and Marcegaglia USA.
34.
Upon information and belief, Marcegaglia is the successor entity for Bishop Tube,
New Bishop Tube Co. and Damascus-Bishop Tube Company and, as such, is liable for the acts
of those entities.
35.
Upon information and belief, Marcegaglia USA is liable for the acts of Bishop
Upon information and belief, Marcegaglia USA is the successor entity for Bishop
Tube, New Bishop Tube Co. and Damascus-Bishop Tube Company and, as such, is liable for
the acts of those entities.
37.
During their respective periods of ownership and operation of the Bishop Tube
site, the Defendants used or permitted the use of hazardous substances, including
trichloroethylene (''TCE"), during the manufacturing processes for their seamless stainless steel
and other products.
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HARRITON & FURRER,
LLP
38.
TCE is a known.carcinogenic.
39.
As a result of the Defendants' ownership and operations at the Bishop Tube site,
hazardous substances, Including TCE, were disposed into the environment, including the
Bishop Tube site's soils and groundwater.
40.
has and continues to contaminate the aquifer beneath the Bishop Tube site and beneath off-site
premises including the Plaintiffs' home located at 54 Conestoga Road in Malvern, Pennsylvania
(the "Warren property") including the Plaintiffs' well water, which is their sole source of drinking
water.
41.
Upon information and belief, in or about 1980, the United States Environmental
Protection Agency ("EPA") added the Bishop Tube site to the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation and Liability Information List ("CERCLIS").
43.
Environmental Protection ("PADEP"), under contract with the EPA, conducted a non-invasive,
non-sampling preliminary assessment of the Bishop Tube site.
44.
Upon information and belief, in or about 1985, the EPA conducted a subsurface
investigation.
45.
Upon information and belief, from in or about 1981 until in or about 1999,
Christiana Metals conducted various partial characterizations of the Bishop Tube site.
46.
Upon information and belief, in or about 1999, Christiana Metals abandoned its
Upon information and belief, Sonobond acquired and/or merged with Christiana
Metals.
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HARRrrON
48.
Upon information and belief, Sonobond is liable for the acts of Christiana Metals
Upon information and belief, Sonobond is the successor entity for Christiana
Metals and Bishop Tube and, as such, is liable for the acts of those entities.Upon information
and belief, in or about 1999, the PADEP took over response actions at the Bishop Tube site,
which included periodic sampling of soil, surface water, groundwater, vapor intrusion pathway
analysis and maintenance of monitoring wells in the contaminated aquifer.
50.
Constitution Drive Partners is the current owner the Bishop Tube site.
51.
Upon information and belief, Constitution Drive Partners has conducted limited
response actions at the Bishop Tube site under an agreement with the PADEP which included
the installation of a soil vapor extraction and air sparging system designed to capture and
remove contamination from subsurface soils at the Bishop Tube site.
52.
Upon information and belief, none of the Defendants have taken any steps to
actively and effectively remediate the contamination that originated on the Bishop Tube site,
which has and continues to migrate onto the Warren property and neither the EPA nor the
PADEP have taken any steps to compel such remedial activity.
53.
substances at the Bishop Tube site which have and continue to migrate onto the Warren
property.
54.
A Notice of Intent to Sue was served on all Defendants as well as the United
55.
The Plaintiffs incorporate Paragraphs 1-54 as if more fully set forth herein.
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HARRITON
56.
The Defendants are "persons" within the meaning of Section 101(21) of the
The Bishop Tube site is a "facility" within the meaning of Section 101(9) of
CERCLA, 9601(14)(c).
59.
There has been a "release" of hazardous substances at the Bishop Tube site
The PADEP has determined that there may be an imminent and substantial
endangerment to the public health, safety or welfare or the environment because of the release
of hazardous substances at the Bishop Tube site.
61.
In response to the release of hazardous substances at the Bishop Tube site and
migration of those hazardous substances onto the Warren property, response actions were
taken and are needed which have and will result in the incurrence of response costs within the
meaning of Section 101 of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9601, which will be consistent with the National
Contingency Plan promulgated by the EPA pursuant to Section 105 of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C.
9607(a)(2).
62.
As a result of the release of hazardous substances at the Bishop Tube site and
migration of those hazardous substances onto the Warren property, Plaintiffs have sustained
injury to, destruction of and/or loss of natural resources within the meaning of Section
107(a)(4)(C) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9613(a)(4)(C), and are entitled to all damages and the
reasonable costs of assessing such injury, destruction and loss resulting from such a release.
63.
CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9607. Specifically, Defendants were persons who, at the time of disposal
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HARR.rrON & FURRER,
LLP
of hazardous substances, owned or operated the Bishop Tube site within the meaning of
Section 107(a)(2) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9607(a)(2).
64.
Defendants are jointly and severally liable to the Plaintiffs under Section 107(a)
of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9607(a), for the payment of response costs required as a result of the
release of hazardous substances at the Bishop Tube site which have and continue to migrate
onto the Warren property.
65.
Plaintiffs are also entitled to a declaratory judgment on liability for response costs
or damages that will be binding on any subsequent action or actions to recover further response
costs or damages pursuant to Section 113(g)(2) of CERCLA, 42 U.S.C. 9613(g)(2).
Second Cause of Action (RCRA)
66.
The Plaintiffs incorporate Paragraphs 1-65 as if more fully set forth herein.
67.
Plaintiffs are "persons" within the meaning of the Resource Conservation and
69.
past or present owner[s] or operator[s] of a treatment, storage, or disposal facility" within the
meaning of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6972.
70.
handling, storage, treatment, transportation, or disposal of solid and/or hazardous waste which
may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to health or the environment within the
meaning of RCRA, 42 U.S.C. 6972.
71.
Defendants are jointly and severally liable to the Plaintiffs under RCRA, 42
U.S.C. 6972, to immediately respond to and abate the release of hazardous substances at the
Bishop Tube site which have and continue to migrate onto the Warren property, to prevent any
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HARRITON
further endangerment and for all costs, including attorneys' and expert witness fees, incurred in
connection with brining this action.
Third Cause of Action CHSCA)
72.
The Plaintiffs incorporate Paragraphs 1-71 as if more fully set forth herein.
73.
Section 507(a) of HSCA states that Responsible Parties shall be liable for
which have and continue to migrate onto the Warren property, the Plaintiffs have taken actions
and incurred costs within the meaning of Section 103 and 507 of HSCA, 35 P.S. 21216020.103
and 6020.507.
76.
Defendants are jointly and severally liable to the Plaintiffs under Section 507(a)
of HSCA, 35 P.S. 6020.507(a), for the payment of costs incurred by the Plaintiffs as a result of
the release of hazardous substances at the Bishop Tube site which have and continue to
migrate onto the Warren property.
Fourth Cause of Action (Negligence)
77.
The Plaintiffs incorporate Paragraphs 1-76 as if more fully set forth herein.
78.
By releasing hazardous substances at the Bishop Tube site, which have and
continue to migrate onto the Warren property, Defendants have engaged in negligence per se.
79.
Defendants owed a duty of care to Plaintiffs to responsibly own and operate the
Bishop Tube site, respond to spills and releases of hazardous substances and prevent such
releases and spills and to take all measures reasonably necessary to inform and protect the
public, including Plaintiffs, from the release of hazardous substances at the Bishop Tube site
which have and continue to migrate onto the Warren property.
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80.
exercise of reasonable care should have known of the dangerous, offensive, hazardous and
toxic nature of the release of hazardous substances at the Bishop Tube site which have and
continue to migrate onto the Warren property and that they were capable of causing serious
personal injury to persons coming into contact with them, polluting Plaintiffs' water supply,
damaging property and causing natural resource damage.
81.
Defendants, including their officers, agents and/or employees, should have taken
reasonable precautions and measures to prevent and mitigate the release and spills, including
the design and operation of process systems so that such releases and spills did not occur, as
well as adequate planning for such spills and release or other emergencies. They did not.
82.
exercise of reasonable should have known, that once a spill or release occurred, they should
take reasonable measures to protect the public, including by issuing immediate and adequate
warnings to nearby residents, including Plaintiffs, to emergency personnel and to public officials.
They did not.
83.
exercise of reasonable care should have known that the spills and releases causes by
Defendants' negligent conduct, and the resultant harm to Plaintiffs and their property were
foreseeable and inevitable consequences of Defendants' acts and/or omissions in the manner in
which they owned and/or operated the Bishop Tube site.
84.
Defendants,
including
their
officers,
agents
and/or
employees,
acted
unreasonably and negligently in causing and/or permitting the release and spills at the Bishop
Tube site and the contamination of the Warren property including Plaintiffs' water supply and
failed to take reasonable measures and precautions necessary to avoid and/or respond to the
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spills and releases of hazardous chemicals, and to protect the public, including the Plaintiffs,
from the hazardous chemicals.
85.
Defendants' acts and/or omissions mentioned herein were the direct and
present and is likely to continue into the future, unless injunctive relief is awarded by this Court
abating the nuisances.
87.
Some or all of the acts and/or omissions of the Defendants were grossly,
recklessly and wantonly negligent and were done with utter disregard for the consequences to
Plaintiffs and other persons and, therefore, Plaintiffs are entitled to an award of punitive
damages.
88.
Plaintiffs in no way contributed to the damages and injuries they have sustained.
89.
Defendants, by reason of their negligence, are liable for all the damages and
injuries to Plaintiffs proximately caused by the spills and releases of hazardous chemicals
indicated herein and to remediate the contamination caused by such spills and releases.
Fifth Cause of Action (Private Nuisance)
90.
The Plaintiffs incorporate Paragraphs 1-89 as if more fully set forth herein.
91.
Defendants, by their acts and/or omissions, including those of their officers, agents
and/or employees, have caused an unreasonable and substantial ongoing interference with
Plaintiffs' right to use and enjoy their property.
92.
Defendants, including their officers, agents and/or employees, have created and
maintained a continuing nuisance on the Warren property by allowing the release of hazardous
substances at the Bishop Tube site which have and continue to migrate onto the Warren
property and contaminating the Warren property and drinking water supply and resulting in
injuries to Plaintiffs' health, well-being and property.
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93.
This nuisance continues to this day and is likely to continue into the future.
94.
Defendants, by reason of this private nuisance, are liable for all the damages and
injuries to Plaintiffs proximately caused by the spills, releases and contamination and to remediate
the contamination.
Sixth Cause of Action (Strict Liability)
95.
The Plaintiffs incorporate Paragraphs 1-94 as if more fully set forth herein.
96.
generated from the Bishop Tube site were of a toxic and hazardous nature capable of causing
severe personal injuries and damages to persons and property coming in contact with them
and, therefore, were ultra-hazardous and abnormally dangerous.
97.
The use, processing, storage, generation and activity at the Bishop Tube site
adjacent to residential properties was an abnormally dangerous and ultra-hazardous activity that
subjected persons coming into contact with the hazardous chemicals and substances to severe
personal injuries regardless of the degree of caution Defendants might have exercised.
98.
are strictly liable with regard to fault for all the damages and injuries to Plaintiffs proximately
caused by the spills, releases and contamination caused by Defendants and to remediate said
contamination.
Seventh Cause of Action (Trespass)
99.
The Plaintiffs incorporate Paragraphs 1-98 as if more fully set forth herein.
100.
invasion of the Warren property and the aquifers underlying the Warren property that Plaintiffs
have suffered damages to such property and to the health and well-being of their family.
Eighth Cause of Action (Medical Monitoring Trust Funds)
101.
The Plaintiffs incorporate Paragraphs 1-100 as if more fully set forth herein.
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HARRI'TON
102.
hazardous substances.
103.
The level of hazardous substances to which Plaintiffs have been exposed are
A monitoring procedure exists that makes the early detection of the disease
possible.
106.
Such early detection will help to ameliorate the severity of the disease.
The
prescribed monitoring regime is different from that normally recommended in the absence of the
exposure.
107.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Compensatory damages for the loss of property value, damage to the natural
resources of the environment in and around the Plaintiffs' property, medical costs,
loss of use and enjoyment of their property, loss of quality of life, emotional
distress, personal injury and such other reasonable damages incidental to the
claims;
e.
f.
Plaintiffs litigation costs and fees, including attorneys and expert witness fees; and
g.
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HARRrrON & FURRER,
LLP
Jury Demand
Pursuant to Rule 38 of the Federal Rules of Civil procedure, Plaintiffs Bradley Warren and
Paula Gay Warren hereby demand a jury trial in this action on all the issues so triable.
Respectfully submitted,
HARRITON & FURRER, LLP
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BRADLEY WARREN and PAULA GAY WARREN,
Plaintiffs,
v.
JOHNSON MATTHEY, INC., BISHOP TUBE CO.,
WHITTAKER CORP., CHRISTIANA METALS
CORP., CENTRAL AND WESTERN CHESTER
COUNTY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
AUTHORITY, ELECTRALLOY CORP.,
MARCEGAGLIA, S.P.A., MARCEGAGLIA USA, INC.
CONSTITUTION DRIVE PARTNERS, LP. and
BONOBOND ULTRASONICS, INC.,
Certificate of Service
Defendants.
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I, Urs Broderick Furrer, being sworn, say; I am not a party to the action, am over 18
years of age and am employed by Harriton & Furrer, LLP, 84 Business Park Drive, Armonk,
New York 10504.
On August 11, 2015, I also served the within First Amended Complaint with Jury
Demand by depositing a true copy thereof enclosed in a post-paid wrapper, in an official
depository under the exclusive care and custody of the United States Postal Service within the
State of New York, addressed to:
Cathleen M. Devlin, Esq.
Christina D. Riggs, Esq.
Saul Ewing, LLP
Attorneys for Johnson Matthey, Inc.
Centre Square West
1500 Market Street, 38th Floor
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102
Bishop Tube Co.
c/o Prentice Hall Corporation
2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 103
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 1711 O
1
lfARRITON & FURRER,
LLP
2
HARRrroN & FURRER, LLP
ATIORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW