Class Action Suits Filed Against Michigan State Officials Over Contaminated Water
On Friday, January 15, 2016, two class action lawsuits were filed by residents of Flint, Michigan against Michigan Governor Rick Snyder; former Flint emergency managers, Darnell Earley and Jerry Ambrose; the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services; and Genesee County, alleging that the defendants knowingly concealed the severity of the water contamination problem in Flint from residents.
The contamination crisis began in the spring of 2014 after Flint switched its water supply from Detroit and Lake Huron to the Flint River. Government officials insisted the switch would be temporary until the city could complete a new water line pipe to Lake Huron. However, water from the Flint River was improperly treated, causing lead to dissolve from the pipes into the water supply. Plaintiffs allege that government officials, including Governor Snyder, were aware of the problem but continued to falsely reassure residents of the safety of the new water supply. Plaintiffs point to the fact that the city tested samples of the water shortly after the source switch was made and saw increased levels of lead in the water.
Snyder has requested funding to switch the source of Flint’s water supply back to Lake Huron to address the lead contamination. However, while the state government is trying to rectify the situation in Flint, attorneys for the affected residents say that their immediate concern is getting financial aid to clients who are forced to rent motel rooms to shower. There are currently over 500 Flint residents involved in the class action suits. Discovery has already begun and affected residents’ medical records are being collected.
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