Judge OKs $626 million settlement in Flint water litigation

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By ED WHITE

DETROIT (AP) — A judge on Wednesday approved a sweeping $626 million deal to settle lawsuits filed by Flint residents and others who were exposed to water contaminated by lead and bacteria in 2014-15.

Most of the money — $600 million — is coming from the state of Michigan, which was accused of repeatedly overlooking the risks of switching Flint’s water source without treating the water to prevent what turned out to be a disaster.

“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,” U.S. District Judge Judith Levy said.

Attorneys are seeking as much as $200 million in legal fees from the overall settlement. Levy left that issue for another day.



FILE - This Jan. 26, 2016, file photo, shows the Flint River in Flint, Mich. A judge on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2021, approved a $626 million settlement for Flint residents and others who were exposed to lead-contaminated water. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/gretchen-whitmer-detroit-michigan-flint-health-3b04ba3fcea95199bd0272caa1198e7e

[a kennedy]

1. Now, can some other judge say no to this?? Is this the final and binding??

Hope so.....

[Submariner]

2. That settlement should include

20 years in prison for that racist Gov Shitbag Snyder.

[RKP5637]

3. K&R!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! n/t

[Faux pas]

4. What

do the PEOPLE get out if it?

[whathehell]

8. about 400 million?

The litigation was brought on their behalf.-- Who did you think was getting it.?

[KY_EnviroGuy]

11. Video clip from Detroit TV......

80% to minors who were affected.

KY

[Evolve Dammit]

5. Blood-sucking lawyers.. Did they do it on a "contingency fee" basis? It would be nice to know if

the water source and piping has been restored/ replaced? And where does the money actually go? AP needs follow up with more details of this "judge-approved deal" (agreement).

[whathehell]

10. How 'bout the " blood sucking" Repukes who sent Flint filthy water?

Those "blood sucking" lawyers got 400 million bucks worth of justice from those shitty Repukes.

[Evolve Dammit]

12. I was lamenting that 1/3 went to attorneys. We know who caused the problem.

[whathehell]

16. I'm lamenting the fact that you're begrudging them their earnings..

Lawyering isn't a 9 to 5 job..They undergo 4 years of expensive, rigorous training and generally work LONG hours. They also do more free or " pro bono," work than any of the other professions.

[Evolve Dammit]

18. I don't care. I've known plenty of sleazy lawyers who didn't work that hard.

[whathehell]

21. I care, as I know many good lawyers who DO work those hours

Lose the broad brush -- There's no more "sleazy" lawyers than there are sleazy.doctors, accountants, engineers, business people, etc.

[tclambert]

13. Hey, they were trying to save hundreds of dollars.

Literally. By ignoring quality and safety, they thought they could save a few hundred dollars.

[whathehell]

15. Riiiiiight!

Good Republican thinking!

[orleans]

6. oh how nice for the lawyers--$200 million?

let's see--at five hundred an hour that would be: 400,000 hours.

wow--those handful of lawyers really must have worked their asses off

[whathehell]

7. So the lawyers should work for nothing?

Gratuitous lawyer bashing is generally favored by Right Wingers who loathe the idea of wealthy corporatations being held responsible for their actions.

[whathehell]

9. Why are you bashing lawyers?..Try going after the Republican administration

that had no qualms sending filthy water to the citizens of Flint so they could save $$$ -- The lawyers made those bastards pay for their bad actions..

[tclambert]

14. The "state" did not make this happen. A handful of Republicans did.

Those negligent, uncaring decision makers should have to pay. But it looks like Snyder and friends will get to shift the liability to taxpayers.

[whathehell]

17. That "handful" of Republicans were governing the state at the time..

I'd like to see it come out of the pockets of the particular bad actors too, but maybe next time the taxpayers will vote more carefully.

[tclambert]

19. Sadly, voters appear to have gained no wisdom from this.

Republicans still dominate the state legislature and continue to attack the current governor for trying to save lives.

[whathehell]

24. It is sad, but, in my opinion

the Democratic party REALLY needs to do a better job of "selling their brand".

[Fla Dem]

22. Hooray! Bout time those folks got some restitution.

Let this be a warning to other municipalities that they better pay attention to the quality of the water they provide to their citizens.

[whathehell]

23. Yes!