Litigation about the Flint Water Crisis

In April 2014, the city of Flint, MI began to draw water from the Flint River without adequately treating the water to prevent pipe corrosion. As a result, lead pipes degraded and lead leached into Flint’s water supply. Despite complaints from some of the approximately 100,000 afflicted residents and tests that indicated elevated lead levels, Flint did not switch to a safer water source until October 2015. The governor appointed an investigative commission that identified "government failure[s], intransigence, unpreparedness, delay, [and] inaction" leading to the crisis.

Individuals, businesses, and other organizations filed numerous lawsuits against local and state officials and contractors involved in the Flint water crisis, a number of which were consolidated into In re Flint Water Cases. That litigation resulted in a $626 million partial settlement agreement, approved by the court on November 11, 2021. In early March 2022, the court entered final judgment as to the parties and claims covered by the settlement agreement, but litigation continues for appeals of the final judgment and attorneys' fees.