Flint Water Crisis $626M Settlement: “Band-Aid on a Bullet Wound”

On Wednesday, a federal court judge approved a historic $626 million settlement for the Flint water crisis lawsuits. Residents feel that justice still isn’t served, likening it to a “Band-Aid on a bullet wound.”

While the amount seems large, adults will be lucky to receive $1,000 each once attorneys are paid and funds distributed. Children affected will receive the bulk of the settlement.

Flint resident LuLu Brezzell said, “It’s a Band-Aid on a bullet wound once again for our city that is still coping with the residual effects of the water crisis.” Her daughter penned the infamous letter that prompted then-President Barack Obama’s visit to their city.

Between 2014 and 2015, residents of Flint were exposed to highly toxic levels of lead in their city-provided water. The tap water was contaminated following disastrous decisions to switch the city’s water source to the Flint River. 

The river water was not appropriately filtered for corrosion, resulting in lead from old pipes breaking free. The contaminated water then freely flowed to homes. 

The action wasn’t taken until Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha’s public report in the fall of 2015 revealed that elevated lead levels were found in children. Only then did Flint switch back to a Detroit regional water agency.

Lead is known to not be safe in any amount, causing harm to children’s brain development, causing attention and behavior problems.

The long-awaited settlement was finally made, but residents are appalled at the nominal amount.

U.S. District Court Judge Judith E. Levy filed the 178-page approval order, calling the $626-million settlement “fair, reasonable and adequate.” 

Former Mayor Karen Weaver disagrees.

“I never thought the amount was reflective of the lives that have been damaged and those that aren’t here anymore.”

She believes the settlement would’ve been greater had more politicians championed for the cause. When she was mayor, she told then-governor Rick Snyder that the settlement should be at least $1.5 billion.

Weaver questioned the settlement amount.

“When will we get something reflective of what we are worth?” When does that happen? We haven’t gotten it in the settlement, we haven’t gotten it in the criminal cases. I mean, we just seem to be devalued people here in the city of Flint.”

She lamented, “I think it’s sad when attorneys get more than victims. I don’t see the fairness or the justice in that.” 

Flint City Councilman Eric Mays feels that the lawsuit would be more appropriate if it were $1.8 billion, divided equitably without the current stipulations.

He broke down the official settlement and said, “One of the adult categories is capped off at $1,000, and that $1,000 might be minus attorney fees, so a lot of the adults will get checks with $600 or $700.” 

The settlement amount includes attorneys’ fees, approximately one-third of the amount, or nearly $209 million. The remaining $417 million would then be split amongst the residents of Flint, with 80% going to the children. The judge has yet to rule on attorneys’ fees.

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