A federal judge has recently dismissed a huge class-action lawsuit that was launched by many Flint, Michigan residents over the water crisis that occurred there not long ago.
Many residents are upset with how the state handled the situation and they wanted to seek justice over the matter. But U.S. District Judge John Corbett O'Meara didn't see any justification to go ahead with such a plan. O'Meara dismissed the case saying that allowing those claims to move forward would circumvent the Safe Water Drinking Act.
This class-action lawsuit that's been dismissed, was launched in 2015 against Gov. Rick Snyder, along with the city of Flint and other officials. It was also pursued on behalf of tens of thousands of residents who have experienced personal injury and property damage that they allege was caused by the state's deliberate decision to expose them to toxic water. There have been numerous legal battles that have taken place since that water crisis occurred in Flint.
This lawsuit had argued that state officials had violated the Constitution by acting in a manner that "shocks the conscience" and was "deliberately indifferent" and therefore caused them potential harm. They were seeking a number of damages over the matter, as well as nutritional, educational, and medical support.
The judge said that by allowing their claims, that it would be consistent (undermine) to the present scheme of entrusting the regulation of drinking water to a regulatory agency like the SDWA.
The attorney for the platiffs has already said that she plans to appeal the decision and they say that they are only looking at this as a temporary setback. And this isn't the only legal battle that her firm is engaged in, they are dealing with numerous lawsuits at this time.
The recent dismissal from this judge is just one decision, from one lawsuit among many, as mentioned above, and those suits have placed the blame on many: state officials, city officials, the EPA, and others. Another lawsuit was launched just recently by roughly 1700 residents from Flint, and they too are seeking damages over the water crisis to the tune of about $700+ million.
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Sources:
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/michigan/flint-water-crisis/2017/02/03/judge-dismisses-class-action-flint-water-lawsuit/97436892/
http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/flint-water-crisis/judge-dismisses-another-lawsuit-in-flint-water-crisis_
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