Northrup Gets Claims Clipped In Contamination Class Suit
A California federal judge on Monday dismissed strict liability claims from a proposed class action alleging Northrop Grumman Corp. discharged dangerous chemicals into a California community, but gave the plaintiffs the opportunity to file an amended complaint. In the order, U. S. District Judge Fernando M. Olguin said the court was skeptical that the proposed class, led by Jed Behar, sufficiently alleges that Northrup was engaged in “ultrahazardous activity” in its use and disposal of the chemicals. Judge Olguin, however, declined to dismiss Behar’s bid for punitive damages and restitution, saying that punitive damages are a remedy, and not a claim that …