MISSOULA, Mont. (Legal Newsline) – A Montana company alleges it has incurred $7 million in response costs regarding an environmental threat at a facility and alleges the site's previous owners are liable as well.
Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. LLC filed a complaint on July 13 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana Missoula Division against Atlantic Richfield Co. citing the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act and Montana Comprehensive Environmental Cleanup and Responsibility Act.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff claims it has incurred substantial expenses responding to releases and threatened releases of hazardous substances at an aluminum reduction plant in Columbia Falls, Montana. The suit states the site was formerly owned by the defendant from 1955 to 1985.
The plaintiff alleges the defendant is liable to it for response costs it incurred and that it is entitled to contribution for its equitable portion of the response costs.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for damages, prejudgment interest, costs, attorneys' fees and for such other relief as the court deems just and proper. It is represented by W. John Tietz and Catherine A. Laughner of Browning, Kaleczyc, Berry & Hoven PC in Helena, Montana.
U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, Missoula Division case number 9:18-cv-00131-DWM