Judge Approves Over $600M Settlement for Flint Water Crisis Victims

By Alyssa Wilson Published: November 11, 2021

Judge Approves Over $600M Settlement for Flint Water Crisis Victims

Some residents in Flint, Michigan still don't trust the water after the 2014 water crisis.

In Summary

A federal judge has approved a civil settlement to the victims of the Flint water crisis, but not everyone is pleased by the settlement amount.

A federal judge on Wednesday approved a $626.25 million settlement for the Flint water crisis victims.

PREVIOUS: How the Water Crisis Forever Changed Flint and Eroded Trust

According to the Detroit Free Press, the settlement addresses civil claims against Michigan and is one of the largest civil settlements in the state’s history. A majority of the settlement money will go to Flint residents who were children at the time of the water crisis.

A selling point for the settlement was its focus on residents who were children at the time of the crisis, who may suffer effects from being exposed to toxins in the water.

In her 178-page opinion, U.S. District Judge Judith Levy wrote, “The settlement reached here is a remarkable achievement for many reasons, not least of which is that it sets forth a comprehensive compensation program and timeline that is consistent for every qualifying participant.”

She added, “The court is persuaded that the over $600 million settlement is a fair and sensible resolution of the claims against the settling defendants.”

Michigan will pay $600 million, the city of Flint will pay $20 million and the remainder of the money will be paid by McLaren Hospitals and Row Professional Services Co., the Detroit Free Press reported.

Criminal litigation is still proceeding against several people, including former Governor Rick Snyder, who was charged with two counts of willful neglect of duty. Litigation against private companies involved in the city’s switch from Lake Huron to the Flint River as the town’s water source is ongoing.

While some see the deal as a step toward justice for those impacted by the crisis, some are displeased by the settlement amount. Former Mayor Karen Weaver believes the settlement total, which needs to be split between more than 50,000 residents, who are mostly people of color, is not enough.

“I am here to tell you today that this is not justice for Flint,” she said. “We will not settle for the crumbs that have been set before us.”

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