BEVERLY HILLS, Calif., Nov. 23 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles judge has dismissed a dozen lawsuits filed by Erin Brockovich's law firm over an oil well located on the campus of Beverly Hills High School.
LA County Superior Court Judge Wendell Mortimer agreed to dismiss the suits at the request of the school and the other defendants.
The oil well has long been a landmark at Beverly Hills High, which has tuned out alumni such as actors Nicolas Cage, Richard Chamberlain and Richard Dreyfuss. The lawsuits contended that emissions from the rig had caused cancer and other health problems among former students.
Mortimer did not detail his reasons for granting the motion to dismiss. However, the Los Angeles Times reported that critics had said the lawsuits were based on "junk" science.
The plaintiffs told the Times they would appeal the ruling.