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Residents in Flint, Michigan who were harmed by lead-contaminated water are one step closer to retribution.
U.S. District Judge Judith Levy has given preliminary approval for a $641.25 million settlement against the state of Michigan that would provide compensation for thousands of minors, adults, property owners, and business owners who were allegedly exposed to lead-tainted water during what is now known as the Flint Water Crisis, the order stated.
The judge stated that the deal is a partial-settlement, and does not signify the end of the Flint Water Crisis litigation. However, it was the first step toward resolving claims against Michigan and the city of Flint.
“There may be no amount of money that would fully recognize the harm the residents of Flint have experienced, including their anxiety, fear, distrust and anger over the events of the last seven years,” Judge Judith Levy said in the 72-page opinion and order. “Litigation has its benefits but also its limitations, and the preliminary approval of this settlement does not affect or preclude other avenues of redress.”
The Flint Water Crisis settlement was reached in November 2020. The settlement website is already active even though the claims period has not begun.
The amount of money that each person will receive depends on a number of factors including age, exposure to the water, test results, specific identified injuries, property ownership or lease, payment of water bills, and commercial losses.
The preliminary approval sets off a months-long process during which the potentially tens of thousands of people can decide whether they want to take part in the settlement or object to it, with March 29 being the deadline to register for participation.
“At last, the victims of the Flint water crisis no longer have to hope for a day of reckoning,” attorney Corey Stern, who represents 4,000 people said to ABC News. “This settlement promises to deliver restitution for the families, and children most especially, whose lives were senselessly and permanently damaged because they were denied their basic right to safe, clean drinking water.”
Have you, or someone you know been affected by the Flint Water Crisis? Share your experience in the comments below.
The residents and other plaintiffs are represented by Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC, Susman Godfrey LLP, Pitt McGehee Palmer & Rivers PC and many others. ACLU Fund Michigan, Education Law Center and White & Case LLP represented children in the school settlement part of the litigation.
Michigan is represented by its attorney general’s office.
The Flint Water Contamination Lawsuit is In Re: Flint Water Cases, case number 5:16-cv-10444, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
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