Allen v. Uni-First Corporation

In this nuisance action, plaintiffs sought damages resulting from defendant’s use and disposal of hazardous chemicals in its Williamstown drycleaning plant. Plaintiffs, residents of Williamstown, contended below that defendant’s operations had resulted in widespread contamination and that, consequently, their property values had been adversely affected. Judgment was entered for defendant, and plaintiffs appeal. We reverse and remand for a new trial.

I

In 1973, defendant commenced industrial drycleaning operations on a site immediately adjacent to the Williamstown elementary school. Its business…