Harris County has retained three Houston area law firms including our firm, Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, to lead the effort in the suit filed against the Volkswagen Group of America and Audi of America, LLC. Firm partners, Benny Agosto, Jr. and Mo Aziz, will be working on this issue to ensure that the residents of Harris County are protected.
This matter is important to the residents of Harris County because for many years the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified Harris County as a “non-attainment” area. In United States environmental law, a non-attainment area is an area considered to have air quality worse than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards as defined by Congress in the Clean Air Act. Undoubtedly, the “defeat devices” installed by Volkswagen on its diesel engines since 2009 have had a negative effect on the air quality in Harris County and has contributed to the region’s non-attainment status. It is estimated that at least 6,000 vehicles driven in Harris County are installed with the “defeat device”. Every time one of these vehicles is driven, they are emitting toxic pollutants in our air that are well beyond the limits set by the state and EPA. In addition to the suit filed by Harris County, Volkswagen is potentially facing fines from the EPA for each car.
Benny Agosto, Jr. is a partner at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner in Houston, Texas. For over 65 years, Abraham Watkins has successfully represented injured people and families who fall victim to catastrophes. Our attorneys have the knowledge, experience and resources necessary to obtain just compensation their clients. For more information, please contact the office of Benny Agosto, Jr. at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner, by letter at 800 Commerce Street, Houston, Texas 77002, or by phone at (713) 222-7211.