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Pennsylvania Environmental Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Environmental for Pennsylvania on
Q: Property adjoins a military base. Runoff and groundwater from explosives tainted drinking (well) water. What recourse?

Explosives have been used since World War II - property is directly downstream from impact area

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jun 15, 2024

If your property's well water has been contaminated by runoff and groundwater from a nearby military base, you have several potential recourses. First, consider contacting the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to report the contamination. They can investigate the issue and determine if... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Libel & Slander, Banking, Civil Rights and Environmental for Pennsylvania on
Q: I am being framed. this box does not allow enough words to explain. There is spyware in my home. Who has authority to

my house is under spyware,all 3 of my devices are hacked and someone is duplicating anything I joined or apply for(paypal, credit cards, repair services. My network has been compromised and indicate Network#3 I don't know what that means. One of the worse thing done is "they" are... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jan 26, 2024

I'm very sorry to hear you are in such a distressing situation. Being potentially targeted by unauthorized surveillance and hacking can certainly feel like your privacy, rights, and even sanity are violated. Here is my advice on steps to take:

1. Document everything suspicious through...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Construction Law, Environmental and Municipal Law for Pennsylvania on
Q: I believe my neighbor may be digging and doing construction work without the proper permits. What options do I have?
James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 2, 2023

If you suspect that your neighbor is doing construction work without the proper permits, there are a few options you can consider:

Contact your local building department: You can contact your local building department to report any suspicious construction activity. They can investigate...
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1 Answer | Asked in Criminal Law, Civil Rights, Environmental and Landlord - Tenant for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is it illegal to allow sewage waste in an appt for over 5 days, without being cleaned.

landlord has not cleaned, and has stated they will not be replacing the carpet or shampooing carpet. I have not been able to use the shower or toilet for 5 days now, i was told nothing will be done abt my rent or the carpet, its extremely unsafe to inhale fece fumes. I have documentation of all of... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Jul 27, 2024

It is illegal for a landlord to allow such unsanitary conditions to persist in your apartment. Under Pennsylvania law, landlords are required to maintain their rental properties in a habitable condition. The presence of sewage waste for over five days without proper cleaning poses serious health... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Environmental for Pennsylvania on
Q: Looking to purchase land that has an old industrial dump and an old mine. Am I responsible for future problems ?

Or is original company that put the dump on the property still responsible? And what if they are no longer in existence? Just want it for grazing land for horses. It is being monitored by DEP. dump is closed and inactive and covered.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
answered on Jun 5, 2020

You are technically responsible for what is on (and under) your land. So.....if leachate comes out and poisons drinking water, it is possible you could be liable.

When companies site dumps they have to provide insurance. However if this was long ago, that is unlikely to have happened....
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1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Environmental for Pennsylvania on
Q: Are there any fines associated with an open or lidless dumpster?
Nellie T Schulz
Nellie T Schulz
answered on Aug 2, 2019

You don't say who issued you a fine, whether a fine was issued or where the dumpster was located. My guess is that if your local township issued the fine, you need to contact them to find out what the rules are regarding lids on dumpsters.

1 Answer | Asked in Construction Law, Constitutional Law, Environmental and Land Use & Zoning for Pennsylvania on
Q: Our development is flooding from heavy rains since a new massive development was added roughly 5 years ago. Any options?

Hello, our development rain water drainage is backing up and flooding our homes since a new development was added next to us down stream of our run off. Our township was told by an engineer that our catch basin would NEVER pass code today and that is overflowing into neighbors yards, pipes... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jul 26, 2019

As you and your neighbors already realize, this is a very complex situation. It's the type of matter that if litigated, could drag on for years in court and easily accrue very high legal fees. It would very likely involve expert testimony from civil engineers, architects, urban planners, and... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Environmental and Probate for Pennsylvania on
Q: Is it typical for an attorney to charge for managing an estate as well as doing litigation for asbestos claims ?

Both of my parents are deceased but we still get some awards from asbestos litigation. These funds are all the estate they had. The attorney wants to get his share from the litigation and then charge an additional 9% to manage each estate. The lawyer is in Baltimore.

Elizabeth Tarasi
Elizabeth Tarasi pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Oct 31, 2018

yes that is the practice

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