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Prominent Baltimore attorney brings class-action lawsuit against Flint officials over water contamination
Kevin RectorContact ReporterThe Baltimore Sun
Freddie Gray — has brought a federal class-action lawsuit against state and local officials in Flint, Michigan over the contamination of the city's drinking water.
The lawsuit, filed by Murphy and Flint attorney Val Washington in U.S. District Court in eastern Michigan on Sunday, calls for the city and state to refund $150 million in water bills paid by affected Flint residents and businesses during the time the city's water was being drawn from the Flint River. Officials have said the decision to start drawing drinking water from the river in 2014 resulted in lead contamination.
Murphy, who was in Flint on Tuesday to announce the decision, told The Baltimore Sun that the lawsuit also seeks additional compensation for "all of the damages that are a consequence of having to be forced to use dangerous water," and that the total amount sought will be "more than $150 million, significantly more, because it includes the cost of changing the interior plumbing in every house, and hot water heaters."
Gov. Rick Snyder declared an emergency in Flint early last month, and the state set aside $28 million for providing residents with bottled water and other services. President Barack Obama signed an emergency declaration for the state as well, clearing the way for federal aid.
rioting, looting and arson that attracted international attention to the case.
Murphy never filed a lawsuit in the Gray case, but negotiated with Baltimore officials on behalf of Gray's family — eventually agreeing to the $6.4 million settlement in September.
krector@baltsun.com
twitter.com/rectorsun
Prominent Baltimore attorney brings class-action lawsuit against Flint officials over water contamination
Kevin RectorContact ReporterThe Baltimore Sun
Freddie Gray — has brought a federal class-action lawsuit against state and local officials in Flint, Michigan over the contamination of the city's drinking water.
The lawsuit, filed by Murphy and Flint attorney Val Washington in U.S. District Court in eastern Michigan on Sunday, calls for the city and state to refund $150 million in water bills paid by affected Flint residents and businesses during the time the city's water was being drawn from the Flint River. Officials have said the decision to start drawing drinking water from the river in 2014 resulted in lead contamination.
Murphy, who was in Flint on Tuesday to announce the decision, told The Baltimore Sun that the lawsuit also seeks additional compensation for "all of the damages that are a consequence of having to be forced to use dangerous water," and that the total amount sought will be "more than $150 million, significantly more, because it includes the cost of changing the interior plumbing in every house, and hot water heaters."
Gov. Rick Snyder declared an emergency in Flint early last month, and the state set aside $28 million for providing residents with bottled water and other services. President Barack Obama signed an emergency declaration for the state as well, clearing the way for federal aid.
rioting, looting and arson that attracted international attention to the case.
Murphy never filed a lawsuit in the Gray case, but negotiated with Baltimore officials on behalf of Gray's family — eventually agreeing to the $6.4 million settlement in September.
krector@baltsun.com
twitter.com/rectorsun
Prominent Baltimore attorney brings class-action lawsuit against Flint officials over water contamination
good things come out this city