Lawsuits 565
Who or what caused the harm?
Lawsuits can be brought against people, corporations, and in many countries
against the government for causing environmental damage.
Is the lawsuit against a multinational corporation?
Multinational corporations often have offices in many countries. To successfully
sue a multinational corporation it is necessary to work both in the country
where the damage was done and in the corporation’s home country. This can be
costly and difficult, but it can be done (see the stories on pages 494 and 522).
Multinational companies
often have branches in the
countries where they work, called
subsidiaries. It may be easier to
sue the subsidiary of a company
than to sue the foreign owner.
For example, when the U.S. oil
company Chevron polluted the
Niger Delta in Nigeria, rather than
suing the American company, local
activists sued Chevron’s Nigerian
subsidiary. At the same time,
international activists launched
a campaign to educate people
around the world about Chevron’s
human rights abuses, to pressure the
company to change its practices.
Other things to consider
• Was the harm or abuse committed recently? A lawsuit must be filed
within a certain number of years after the harm was done (usually no
more than 10 years). This makes it difficult to win a case about illnesses
that may take many years to develop, like cancers, even though these
can be the most severe illnesses.
• Are the people bringing the lawsuit, their witnesses, and their lawyers
willing to risk their safety? Many corporations and governments will
stop at nothing to retain their power, including physical violence and
murder. Those who challenge this power may put their lives at risk.
• Is there money to pay for the lawsuit? Court fees, lawyers’ fees,
international travel, phone calls, gathering proof, and other costs add
up quickly.
• Are you able to work many years on a lawsuit? A lawsuit can take from
3 to 10 years or more. Sometimes the victims have already died by the
time their cases are resolved.
A Community Guide to Environmental Health 2012