| ‘We’ve made history’: Flint water crisis victims to receive $626m settlement |
| November 11, 2021 (theguardian.com) |
| ‘We’ve made history and hopefully it sets a precedent to maybe don’t poison people,’ one Flint resident said. Photograph: Carlos Osorio/AP |
| A federal judge has approved a $626m settlement for victims of the lead water crisis in Flint, Michigan, which was one of the country’s worst public health crises in recent memory, in a case brought by tens of thousands of residents affected by the contaminated water.Announcing the settlement on Tuesday, district judge Judith Levy called it a “remarkable achievement” that “sets forth a comprehensive compensation program and timeline that is consistent for every qualifying participant”.Most of the money will come from the state of Michigan, which was accused of repeatedly overlooking the risks of using the Flint River without properly treating the water.“This is a historic and momentous day for the residents of Flint, who will finally begin to see justice served,” said Ted Leopold, one of the lead attorneys in the litigation. What happened to the water in Flint? The city’s troubles began in 2014 after it switched its water supply to the Flint River to cut costs. Corrosive river water caused lead to leach from pipes, contaminating the drinking water and causing an outbreak of legionnaires’ disease. How will the money be distributed? Payouts from the settlement approved on Wednesday will be made based on a formula that directs more money to younger claimants and to those who can prove greater injury. |
