Climate Change Lawsuit: Oil Companies Sued for Wrongful Death
- A Washington state lawsuit alleges that major oil companies are liable for the death of a Seattle woman during a historic heat wave.
- Julie Leon, 65, was found dead in her car on June 28, 2021, Seattle's hottest day ever, when temperatures reached 108 degrees Fahrenheit. The lawsuit states Leon died...
- The suit targets six oil companies, including ExxonMobil, BP, and Chevron, claiming they knew for decades that burning fossil fuels would alter the atmosphere, leading to extreme weather...
Oil Companies Face Wrongful Death Suit Over Seattle Heat Wave
Updated May 30, 2025
A Washington state lawsuit alleges that major oil companies are liable for the death of a Seattle woman during a historic heat wave. This case, filed in King County Superior Court, represents the first instance of oil companies being sued over an individual’s death in a “climate disaster,” according to the Center for Climate Integrity.
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Julie Leon, 65, was found dead in her car on June 28, 2021, Seattle’s hottest day ever, when temperatures reached 108 degrees Fahrenheit. The lawsuit states Leon died of hyperthermia, with her internal temperature reaching 110 degrees.
The suit targets six oil companies, including ExxonMobil, BP, and Chevron, claiming they knew for decades that burning fossil fuels would alter the atmosphere, leading to extreme weather and loss of life.Rather of warning the public, the suit alleges, these companies deceived consumers about the risks of fossil fuels and their impact on climate change.
“Defendants have known for all of Julie’s life that their affirmative misrepresentations and omissions would claim lives,” the lawsuit states. “Julie is a victim of Defendants’ conduct.” The lawsuit seeks damages and a public education campaign to correct what it calls “decades of misinformation.”
A rapid attribution study indicated the 2021 Pacific Northwest heat wave would have been “virtually impossible without human-caused climate change.”
Representatives from Shell, ConocoPhillips, BP, and phillips 66 declined to comment. ExxonMobil and Chevron did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
What’s next
The case joins dozens of othre climate lawsuits against fossil fuel companies, seeking funds to help communities address the impacts of global warming. While some similar lawsuits have been dismissed, others are proceeding, highlighting the ongoing legal battles surrounding climate change accountability and the role of the fossil fuel industry.