$626M Flint water contamination settlement gets final approval

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Update:

• A Michigan state judge signed a historic $626 million settlement between Flint residents and government officials over lead contamination in the city’s drinking water.
• On Monday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Genesee County Judge David J. Newblatt’s approval three years after the settlement was first announced and more than one year after a federal judge approved it.
• The case’s assigned judge retired in November following sexual harassment allegations, causing a delay in the settlement.
• The settlement resolved Flint residents’ claims against the state, the city of Flint, McLaren Regional Medical Center and Rowe Professional Services Co.
• The order closed out several state court cases, allowing them to now become a part of the federal landmark Flint Water settlement, according to Law 360.

Flint water crisis class action settlement overview: 

• Who: A Michigan federal judge has granted final approval of a $626.25 million settlement.  
• Why: Tens of thousands of people who were impacted by exposure to lead, legionella and other contaminants from Flint’s municipal water supply system.
• Where: The class action lawsuit was filed in Michigan federal court.

(Nov. 12, 2021)

A Michigan federal judge has granted final approval of a $626.25 million settlement that provides compensation to tens of thousands of people who were impacted by exposure to lead, legionella and other contaminants from Flint’s municipal water supply system during the events now known as the Flint Water Crisis, according to court documents.

The settlement resolves thousands of claims pending in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the Genesee County Circuit Court and the State of Michigan Court of Claims and involves both class action and non-class action lawsuits.

Named defendants the city of Flint, McLaren Health Care Corp. and Rowe Professional Services Co. will pay a combined $26 million of the settlement. Michigan will pay the remaining $600 million, one of the largest settlements in the state’s history, the documents state.

“The settlement reached here is a remarkable achievement for many reasons, not the least of which is that it sets forth a comprehensive compensation program and timeline that is consistent for every qualifying participant, regardless of whether they are members of a class or are non-class individuals represented by their own counsel,” U.S. District Judge Judith Levy said in the approval. 

The Flint water crisis class action lawsuit was initially filed in March 2016 by seven families.

According to these plaintiffs, government officials knew since 2014 that the water supply in Flint contained dangerous levels of lead — a toxic substance.

However, despite knowing about the lead in the water, Michigan officials allegedly allowed the community to drink the dangerous water.

Were you or your family affected by the Flint water crisis? Are taking part in the class action settlement? Let us know in the comment section below.

The plaintiffs are represented by Susan E. Smith of Beveridge & Diamond PC and J. Brian MacDonald of Cline Cline & Griffin.

The Flint Water Crisis Class Action Lawsuit is In Re: Flint Water Cases, Case No. 5:16-cv-10444, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.

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• Flint Water Crisis Class Action Settlement Payment Reduction Cannot Be Stopped by City Council, Rules Judge