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Attorneys have filed an enforcement action against Eagle Railcar in Orange County in an effort to preserve evidence relating to a July 18 chemical leak.

Representatives of Brent Coon & Associates filed the action on Friday, July 26, after Eagle Railcar failed to cooperate with a restraining order seeking to preserve evidence and provide an onsite inspection of the Orange County facility.

Orange County residents were forced to shelter in place for several hours on July 18 due to a chemical leak. EPA officials later said the issue stemmed from Eagle Railcar employees flaring a railcar after a chemical reaction caused the tank to fill with pressure and heat up.

The company reportedly never communicated with the public about the potentially hazardous chemicals involved.

“This leak of toxic materials that resulted in a shelter in place order to several entire communities and sent dozens of people to local hospitals was not even reported to authorities as required by law. Once they were caught, they misrepresented the extent and scope of the problem based on what employees of the company have disclosed to us as concerned whistleblowers,” said Jay Jackson, Communications Director, Brent Coon & Associates in a press release.

The law firm had requested access to the facility for seven days before filing the enforcement action.

In addition, the firm will hold a second series of town hall meetings this week in an effort to develop a class action suit after a chemical leak in Orange County. The meeting will take place at 12:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Bridge City Knights of Columbus, 770 Ave A, Bridge City.

Brent Coon & Associates has filed over 500 lawsuits emanating from the major gas leak that sent dozens to the hospital and left thousands stranded away from their homes.

“Last week’s town hall meetings were very successful.  We had standing room only and we were able to get help and answers for hundreds of people who were confused and scared by the lack of information coming from the companies responsible for this terrible event,” said Brent Coon, lead counsel and founder of Brent Coon & Associates.