ELR Citation: ELR 20265
No(s). 83-642 C(2) (E.D. Mo. Dec 30, 1983)

The court holds that plaintiffs' claim for response costs under §107 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) is not governed by the criteria for actions against the superfund under CERCLA §111. The court holds that plaintiffs have stated a claim against defendants for hazardous waste site cleanup costs under §107 of CERCLA even though they do not allege that the conditions for recovery against the fund under §111 are met. CERCLA clearly states that §107 liability is "notwithstanding any other provision or rule of law," thus making the two remedies independent. The court dismisses plaintiffs' numerous state-law claims without prejudice, ruling that as the state-law issues predominate, it will leave them for resolution by state courts.

Counsel for Plaintiffs
Murry A. Marks
2025 S. Brentwood, Suite 207, St. Louis MO 63144
(314) 961-2232

John L. Doskocil
Doskocil & Pulos
P.O. Box 8659, St. Louis MO 63126
(314) 965-8500

Counsel for Defendants
Robert L. Driscoll
Stinson, Mag & Frizzell
P.O. Box 19251, Kansas City MO 64141
(816) 842-8600

Paul S. Brown
Brown, James & Rabbitt
705 Olive St., Suite 1100, St. Louis MO 63101
(314) 421-3400