A Washington state woman is suing seven oil and gas companies, saying they contributed to an extraordinarily hot day that led to her mother’s fatal hyperthermia in one of the nation’s first wrongful-death claims seeking to hold the fossil fuel industry accountable for its role in the changing climat

The lawsuit filed in state court this week says the companies knew that their products have altered the climate, including contributing to a 2021 heat wave in the Pacific Northwest that killed 65-year-old Juliana Leon, and that they failed to warn the public of such risks.

On June 28, 2021, an unusual heat wave culminated in a 108-degrees Fahrenheit (42.22 degrees Celsius) day — the hottest ever recorded in the state, according to the filing. Leon had just driven 100 miles from home for an appointment, and she rolled down her windows on the way back because her car’s air conditioning wasn’t working.

Leon pulled over and parked her car in a residential area, according to the lawsuit. She was found unconscious behind the wheel when a bystander called for help. Despite medical interventions, Leon died.

  • Phoenixz@lemmy.ca
    61·
    8 days ago

    Nah, nothing will come from this.

    Cynical? Hell yeah.

    Realistic? Hell yeah.

    First off this is trump country now, so if you for even a second think that oil companies will be troubled by any of this then I have a bridge to sell you.

    Second off: climate change isn’t new. We knew about it since the late 1800’s at least and so far shit all has been done about it. We’ve seen countless devastating effects and shit had been done.

    Do you think a single death will change anything? Come on, get real