New Jersey Environmental Legal Questions

I am only licensed to practice in Ohio so my response is limited by that restriction.  However, if one of my clients was faced with your situation in Ohio, I would have the following advice. Your first line of defense should be to contact OSHA with a request for them to conduct an inspection of your work environment.  OSHA's role is to protect workers in the workplace.  Your potential exposure to the chemical smell and/or natural gas is clearly within OSHA's jurisdiction. If you are unable to convince OSHA to take action, you might also try calling the local city, county or state health department.  Health departments have jurisdiction over health issues affecting the general public. You also have the option of engaging an attorney to sue your employers for an unsafe work environment.  You will need counsel licensed in your state to pursue that option. Good luck.... Read More

I am only licensed to practice law in Ohio so the following advice is limited by that restriction.  Municipalities have broad "police powers" to protect the health and safety of its residents.  Septic systems are known to be a cause of contamination to ground water.  Consequently, a reasonable requirement to periodically pump out septic systems will most likely be upheld by a court. You should seek the counsel of a qualified environmental lawyer in New Jersey to provide you with a more complete answer.  Good luck.... Read More