Drax Amite Bioenergy Lawsuit: Gloster, MS Pollution Claims

Investigating Health and Property Claims for People Exposed to Pollution From the Drax Wood Pellet Plant in Gloster, Mississippi

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with COPD, lung cancer, or another breathing condition after living or working near the Drax wood pellet plant in Gloster, Mississippi? Have persistent odors or noise from the plant affected your home or business? The Drax Amite Bioenergy plant has been cited by state regulators for exceeding air pollution limits, and residents have reported serious health problems, including breathing and respiratory issues.

Singleton Schreiber is investigating Drax Inc. on behalf of people who may have been harmed by pollution from the plant. As part of the firm's mass tort practice, our attorneys review claims from current and former residents, property owners, renters, and business owners in the 39638 ZIP code.

Not everyone exposed to pollution will have a claim, and a regulatory violation does not automatically establish that a company is legally responsible for a specific person's illness. Whether a claim can move forward may depend on where and how long you lived or worked near the plant, the health conditions you experienced, the medical evidence available, and the governing law.

If you believe you may have been affected, it can help to preserve records that show where you lived or did business, when you were there, and what health effects you experienced. These may include leases, deeds, utility bills, business records, medical records, and notes about odors or noise from the plant.

What Happened at the Drax Gloster Plant

Drax, a UK-based energy company, operates a wood pellet production plant in Gloster, Mississippi, under the name Amite BioEnergy. The plant opened in 2016, and the state of Mississippi provided Drax with a substantial package of financial incentives and tax exemptions to locate the facility in Gloster. The plant was initially welcomed as a source of local jobs and economic growth.

Since then, the facility has drawn criticism for exceeding pollution limits, particularly for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs).

• 2016: The Drax pellet plant opens in Gloster.
• 2018: Drax discloses to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) that it had underestimated VOC emissions since the plant opened, with emissions exceeding legal limits by more than three times.
• 2021: The company comes into compliance with VOC emission standards following a $3 million fine, one of the largest Clean Air Act penalties in Mississippi history.
• 2022: The facility is found to be emitting HAPs at levels 50% above its permitted limit.
• 2023: MDEQ issues another violation notice. The penalty for this violation has not yet been decided.

Who May Be Eligible for a Drax Pollution Claim

Based on the current case criteria, you may be eligible to file a claim if:

• You owned, rented, or owned a business in the 39638 ZIP code for at least six months at any time since the plant opened in 2016
• You have been diagnosed with COPD and lived in the 39638 ZIP code for any amount of time
• You still live in the 39638 ZIP code, or you have since moved away

Meeting these criteria does not guarantee a recovery. An attorney can review your situation and explain whether a claim may be available depending on the facts and governing law.

Health Conditions and Harms Under Review

Singleton Schreiber is reviewing claims from people who have experienced any of the following:

Diagnosed Conditions

• Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
• Lung cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA)

Breathing Issues

• The development or aggravation of breathing issues, including but not limited to asthma

Other Harms

• Persistent, unpleasant odors from the Drax plant
• Noise pollution
• The death of a loved one

Common Situations We Review

1. Current Resident Diagnosed With COPD.

Under the current case criteria, a resident diagnosed with COPD may be eligible regardless of how long they have lived in the 39638 ZIP code.

2. Former Resident Who Has Since Moved Away.

Moving away does not by itself rule out a claim. Former residents who lived in the 39638 ZIP code for at least six months since 2016 may still be eligible.

3. Renter or Business Owner Near the Plant.

Eligibility is not limited to homeowners. People who rented a home or owned a business in the 39638 ZIP code for at least six months may qualify, depending on the facts.

4. Family Member of Someone Who Died.

Families who lost a loved one may be able to pursue a claim, depending on the facts and governing law, including the rules on who is permitted to bring the claim.

5. Resident Affected by Odors or Noise.

Persistent odors and noise pollution from the plant are among the harms under review, so residents affected by them may want to have their situation evaluated.

What Compensation May Be Available

Depending on the facts and governing law, people harmed by pollution from the Drax plant may be able to seek compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• The impact of persistent, unpleasant odors

The amount and type of compensation, if any, depends on the individual circumstances of each claim.

Records to Gather and Keep

• Proof of residence, such as leases, deeds, mortgage statements, or utility bills showing an address in the 39638 ZIP code and the dates you lived there
• Business records, such as licenses or tax filings, if you owned a business in the ZIP code
• Medical records showing any diagnosis, including COPD, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, cardiopulmonary arrest, asthma, or other breathing issues
• Medical and pharmacy bills
• Employment records showing missed work or lost wages
• Notes, photos, or videos documenting odors or noise from the plant, including dates and times
• For a loved one who died: the death certificate, medical records, and documents showing your relationship

When to Contact a Drax Amite Bioenergy Lawyer

Consider speaking with an attorney if you or a family member lived, rented, or did business in the 39638 ZIP code and have experienced a diagnosis, worsening breathing problems, or other harms listed on this page. Legal claims are subject to deadlines that may vary depending on the facts and governing law, so it is generally best not to wait. An attorney can review your records, explain your options, and help you decide whether to move forward.

Meet Your Attorneys

How Singleton Schreiber Helps

Singleton Schreiber is a plaintiff-side firm focused on protecting the interests of everyday people against corporate wrongdoing. With approximately 450 staff members and more than 120 attorneys, the firm has offices in California, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Hawaii, Utah, and Mississippi.

The firm's attorneys have decades of litigation experience and have recovered more than $3 billion in settlements and verdicts for clients over the last ten years. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future matter.

For people who may have been affected by the Drax plant, our team can:

• Review whether you meet the current eligibility criteria
• Help gather residence, medical, and damages records
• Investigate the plant's emissions history and regulatory record
• Pursue compensation through a mass tort claim where appropriate

Request a Free Case Evaluation

If you or a loved one may have been harmed by pollution from the Drax Amite Bioenergy plant in Gloster, contact Singleton Schreiber to book a free consultation. Call our team or fill out the form, and we can review your situation and explain whether a claim may be available.

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