Representing City of Baltimore and Baltimore County as class representatives, Grant & Eisenhofer obtained a $550 million settlement in landmark PCB contamination case
Plaintiff(s):
Mayor and City Council of Baltimore and Baltimore County, Maryland
Case type / claims:
G&E represented the City of Baltimore, and Baltimore County, in litigation against Monsanto Co. arising out of its production, marketing, distribution, and sale of carcinogenic industrial chemicals (polychlorinated biphenyls, or PCBs), resulting in environmental contamination as well as contamination of Baltimore’s and Baltimore County’s municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4) and other public water systems, including substantial impairment of the Inner Harbor and Lake Roland. Baltimore and Baltimore County asserted common-law environmental claims seeking both monetary damages for injury to its public resources and an abatement plan to be funded by Monsanto. Both Baltimore and Baltimore County elected to serve as class representatives in a proposed nationwide class action settlement on behalf of similar MS4 owners/operators.
Defendant(s):
Monsanto Co., Solutia Inc., Pharmacia LLC
Jurisdiction:
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Year:
2020
Outcome:
- Settled for $550 million — one of the largest environmental recoveries of its kind.
- Settlement funds will support environmental remediation, stormwater infrastructure improvements and long-term PCB cleanup efforts throughout Baltimore.
