Coldwater Creek: Federal Judge Audrey G. Fleissig Names Lead Counsel In Litigation

There are three lawsuits alleging exposure to radioactive waste the Mallinckrodt chemical company produced, is the reason for the health issues.

Federal Judge Audrey G. Fleissig of the US District Court–Eastern District of Missouri has appointed TorHoerman Law as lead legal counsel on the case.

The lawsuits include groups of people from Hazelwood, Florissant, Spanish Lake, Berkeley, Ferguson, Black Jack and St. Ann.

The residents say nuclear waste was improperly disposed of near North County's Coldwater Creek in the 1950's and 1960's as part of the Manhattan project. leading to an unusually high incident rate of rare cancers, birth defects and early deaths.

Hundreds have emailed Patch since it first began covering the situation more than a year ago, wanting to know how to get involved. Especially residents that have moved away and recently become aware of the contamination and the suit.

Robin Aichs lives in Reno, Nevada but grew up in the 60's near Lambert-St. Louis International Airport in Berkeley.

"Friends I grew up with and I stay in touch with in St. Louis sent me these articles," he said. "I have been treated for prostate cancer and most recently diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

"My doctors find it strange I have these two distinctly different kinds of cancer at the same time."

Aichs said childhood friends are experiencing cancer as well.

"Three weeks ago I had most of my stomach and esophagus removed," he said. "Not sure if growing up in that area near the airport might have anything to do with my problems, but other friends I grew up with in that area have also had bouts with cancer."

TorHoerman is working with two additional firms on the class action suit: Napoli, Bern, Ripka, Shkolnik, LLP; and Bryon, Carlson, Petri & Kalb, (which filed the original Colddwater Creek Litigation suit).

Being lead counsel means TorHoerman can act on behalf of all the residents involved with the litigation, according to a statement the firm released.

TorHoerman said its Coldwater Creek Litigation Team's number of plaintiffs will more than likely grow as more people find out about the situation. There are currently more than 5,800 active members of community action Facebook Page devoted to investigating the possibility of a cancer cluster around the creek entitled: Coldwater Creek Just the Facts Please, as well as a Coldwater Creek blog spot.

If you think your illness may be linked to the creek there is a form tracking all instances. To fill it out click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/coldwater_creek_missouri

Stay in the know on this story. Like Patch on Facebook. Don't forget to follow us on Twitter or signup for the Patch newsletter here.

To read more on Coldwater Creek News:

• Radioactive Waste in our Groundwater
• Second Coldwater Creek Lawsuit Filed Against Hazelwood-Based Covidien and Its Mallinckrodt Division
• What People Near Hazelwood Are Saying About Coldwater Creek Nuclear Contamination
• MoDOT Closing Eastbound I-270 Lanes from Lindbergh Blvd. to I-170 Starting Friday
• Missouri Coalition for the Environment Hosting Public Meeting on West Lake Landfill Superfund Site
• Mallinckrodt Partners to Relieve Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis