What is one of the consequences of improperly conducted Environmental Site Assessments?

Improperly conducted Environmental Site Assessments (ESAs) can lead to missed environmental liabilities, which significantly increases the risk of lawsuits. When an ESA is not thorough or accurate, it may fail to identify contamination or other environmental issues related to the land. This oversight can leave current or future owners unaware of their liability for cleanup costs, regulatory fines, or even health-related claims from nearby residents. Thus, failing to adequately assess these risks can have serious legal and financial repercussions for property owners or developers, making it critical to perform a comprehensive and professional ESA to ensure that all potential liabilities are recognized and addressed.