Lawsuit Filed Against Fossil Fuel Companies After Woman's Heat-Related Death

Lawsuit Filed Against Fossil Fuel Companies After Woman's Heat-Related Death

The daughter of a woman from Washington state is pursuing legal action against several fossil fuel companies, including ExxonMobil, claiming that the firms’ contributions to climate change exacerbated her mother’s untimely death due to overheating. This tragic incident highlights the potential ramifications of global warming on human health and safety.

Juliana Leon tragically died of hyperthermia while driving home from a doctor's appointment on a scorching day in June 2021. This particular day marked the hottest temperature ever recorded in Washington state, reaching a blistering 108 degrees Fahrenheit. According to the legal complaint filed in the Superior Court of Washington for King County, Leon's car air conditioning was inoperable, leading her to drive with the windows down in an attempt to remain cool. However, the extreme heat overwhelmed her, prompting her to pull over. Tragically, she was unable to call for help and succumbed to the heat, with her internal body temperature reportedly reaching 110 degrees Fahrenheit at the time of her passing. A passerby discovered her approximately two hours after she parked her vehicle.

The lawsuit asserts that as a long-time resident of temperate Western Washington, Juliana Leon never envisioned that she would die under such dire circumstances. The suit claims that the defendants—manufacturers, distributors, and sellers of fossil fuels—had prior knowledge of the potential dangers their products posed to public safety and well-being.

This marks the first wrongful death lawsuit against fossil fuel corporations attributed directly to their role in exacerbating climate change, although it aligns with several state-level cases that have emerged focusing on climate change misinformation and negligence. Misti Leon, the plaintiff and representative of her mother’s estate, has named defendants such as Exxon, BP, Chevron, Shell, and ConocoPhillips, among others. The claims in the lawsuit indicate violations of Washington state laws regarding wrongful death, product liability, and public nuisance.

In seeking reparations, Leon’s daughter is requesting compensation for various damages, including emotional distress and expenses incurred for medical treatment and funeral services.

The legal complaint argues that the negligent actions and absence of accountability from these fossil fuel companies deprived the public—including Juliana Leon—of crucial information needed to combat climate change years prior. Notably, the wrongful death lawsuit has potential implications for future legal approaches to climate accountability, as some experts suggest it could serve as a foundation for criminal homicide cases against those deemed responsible for climate-related fatalities.

Aaron Regunberg, an advocacy director at Public Citizen’s climate program, suggested that this case should prompt broader criminal investigations into the actions of fossil fuel companies. He stated that prosecutors across the nation ought to consider how severe climate impacts affect the lives of their communities under existing criminal laws.

As of now, major defendants such as Exxon and the American Petroleum Institute have not provided comments regarding the allegations. Misti Leon's legal representation includes Bechtold Law Firm PLLC and Bronsdon Law Firm PLLC, focusing on holding these corporations accountable for their alleged role in climate crises leading to tragic personal losses.

This lawsuit, identified as Leon v. Exxon Mobil Corp. in the Washington Superior Court, may open new avenues for legal recourse amidst growing concerns about climate change and its devastating effects on public health.