A class action proceeding (motion for authorization) was filed recently relating to the Lac-Megantic train derailment and subsequent devastation suffered by this small community.
Legal action is being brought to provide compensation to the many Lac-Megantic victims who have suffered from very serious losses. The action seeks recovery for damages sustained by those who have lost loved ones in the explosion and on behalf of persons injured. Claims for property loss and business losses are also included.
The proposed representative plaintiffs are Guy Ouellet, whose partner, Diane Bizier died in the explosion. Yannick Gagne, is the second representative plaintiff and was the owner of Musi-Cafe. Three of M. Gagne’s employees died in the fire which completely destroyed his establishment.
Daniel Larochelle who has lived and practised law in Lac-Megantic for over 15 years knows many of the victims personally. He stated: “The suffering endured by this community and the suffering that is still ongoing has been truly incomprehensible”. He added: “I want this legal action to bring some hope to my community as we start to rebuild”.
Mr. Larochelle has assembled a team of class action lawyers to help the community navigate through the legal challenges ahead. Those firms include: Consumer Law Group in Montreal, Rochon Genova LLP of Toronto and Lieff Cabraser Heimann and Bernstein LLP of New York and San Francisco.
