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ARTICLE · 28 JULY 2026

Data Centers In The Crosshairs: The Plaintiffs' Bar Has Begun Filing New Claims Using Old Tricks

Crowell & Moring LLP
Crowell & Moring LLP
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Crowell & Moring LLP

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A wave of class action lawsuits targeting data center operators has emerged, alleging that noise from cooling systems and generators constitutes nuisance and negligence. Plaintiffs' firms are deploying coordinated legal strategies across multiple jurisdictions, following playbooks used in prior mass tort campaigns. Data center operators face growing legal exposure as complaints expand from property damage claims to broader health impact allegations.

United StatesLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Tyler A. O'Connor
Tyler A. O'Connor
Peter C. Condron
Peter C. Condron
Monty Cooper
Monty Cooper
Daniel Campbell
Daniel Campbell
Helena Alvarez
Helena Alvarez

Introduction

The rapid buildout of AI infrastructure has placed data centers at the heart of a new and expanding wave of class action litigation. Over the past several months, plaintiffs’ firms with significant experience in mass tort and environmental class actions have begun recruiting plaintiffs and filing lawsuits against data center operators, alleging that noise generated by their facilities — from cooling systems, diesel generators, and HVAC equipment — constitutes a public and private nuisance and reflects actionable negligence. Companies currently operating or constructing data centers near residential communities should treat this as a material and growing legal risk.

The Cases: A Common Legal Template, Deployed Across Multiple Jurisdictions

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