Southwest Philadelphia Residences affected by nuisance auto body shop file environmental justice claim

On April 26, Hausfeld, along with co-counsel the Public Interest Law Center, filed a complaint on behalf of Philadelphia residents Marceline Dix, Ramona Monique Bell, and Rodney Bell, bringing nuisance and trespass claims against White’s Autobody. The defendant auto body shop is one of scores of auto-related businesses operating improperly in low income, residential communities of color in Southwest Philadelphia.

For years, operations at White’s Autobody have disrupted our clients’ daily lives and the lives of their neighbors. Noxious fumes and noise routinely intrude into their homes. The defendant shop litters their neighborhood, their shared alley, and even their backyards with junked cars, trash, tires, oil cans, and debris. Illegally dumped parked cars line the surrounding streets and block shared access in the alley, making it impossible for emergency vehicles to gain access.

The Bells and Ms. Dix sued the property owners and White’s Autobody in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, alleging that the shop has created a private and public nuisance and trespassed on their property. They are seeking an injunction demanding that the defendants cease their nuisance behavior and abide by all local laws and regulations under their business license.

Hausfeld has been working with the Public Interest Law Center to investigate this important pro bono matter since 2020 and are hopeful that this lawsuit will lead to impactful change in the Plaintiffs’ neighborhood.

More information is available in the Public Interest Law Center’s press release.