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Lantana authorizes contingent-fee counsel to pursue PFAS (AFFF) claims
Summary
Council approved engaging Sag Luisa LLC and Richard A. Harrison, PA on a contingent-fee basis to pursue AFFF/PFAS claims (MDL No. 2873) to recover costs tied to the town’s drinking-water and wastewater systems.
The Lantana Town Council voted April 27 to authorize the town manager to execute a contingent-fee agreement with Sag Luisa LLC and Richard A. Harrison, P.A., to pursue claims in the national AFFF/PFAS multidistrict litigation (MDL No. 2873). The contract is contingency-based: the town pays no fees unless there is an award or recovery, and costs are deducted before the contingency split.
During the discussion counsel explained the typical contingency split: approximately one-third to the firm after costs, with no out-of-pocket cost to the town if there is no recovery. “We only get money if we get an award,” the presenting attorney said, describing the standard structure of contingent-fee engagements in collective PFAS actions. Councilors posed technical questions about the litigation process and the need for local water testing if the town seeks to participate; staff said they would coordinate next steps if the firms identify a viable claim for Lantana’s water and wastewater systems. The motion to proceed carried unanimously, 5–0.
