The Calaveras Cement Co. Dust Suit

IN March 1949 the Calaveras Cement Co. was sued by five landowners whose properties are located in the vicinity of the plant. These landowners-all of them cattle ranchers-sued for dust damages of $120,338 and for an injunction preventing the company from casting dust upon their properties in injurious quantities. The issue was split, the jury deciding the amount of damages and the court handling the injunction features. The action came to trial before a jury in April of that year and resulted in damages being awarded in the amount of $7,508. A month later the court issued its injunction requiring recovery of stack dust to an 87 pct minimum.