Health

Flint Families File Class Action Lawsuit Over Poisoning of Water

Published

9 years ago

March 14, 2016

Courtesy of RT

Seven families from Flint, Michigan filed a class-action lawsuit Monday against Governor Rick Snyder, as well as other city and state officials, over the crisis involving lead-poisoned water, claiming their children suffered irreversible brain damage.

The lawsuit claims that Michigan officials violated the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule. While not the first class-action lawsuit over the crisis, it is the first to be brought over violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act.

“Lead poisoning is an insidious disease process. You don’t look at a child and say, that child is lead poisoned,” said Hunter Shkolnik, one of the attorneys representing the families. He called the situation “a catastrophe.”

“These children are brain damaged. It’s just a matter of time before you see how it manifests itself for that child. A lot of people are quick to say the children look fine. Looks are deceiving,” Shkolnik added.

The lawsuit is seeking a jury trial and compensation for all families affected by the contaminated water. So far, seven families and upwards of 20 children are represented, but Shkolnik said his team is screening another 900 clients. The lawsuit itself states “tens of thousands” of residents were affected.

The tragedy is still unfolding,” Shkolnik said. “We don’t know how many children and families are involved.”

The list of damages sustained by the minors described in the lawsuit include: physical and psychological injuries, learning and other permanent disabilities, weight loss, stunted growth, anemia, headaches, abdominal and other pain, mental anguish, and emotional distress, among others.

One mother listed as a plaintiff, 33-year-old Melissa Lightfoot, said her three children were exposed and suffered from issues such as hair loss, rashes, digestive problems, seizure-like convulsions, plus high lead and copper levels in their blood and brains.

“I was scared,” Lightfoot said in an interview with NBC News. “My kids are getting poisoned from something that’s a necessity and as a parent there’s nothing I can do to help them. It’s already in them, I can’t take it out, and there’s no medicine for it.”

Another plaintiff is said to have tested for an elevated blood lead level of 30 micrograms per deciliter, one of the highest recorded in Flint. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, anything 5 micrograms per deciliter and above is considered “elevated,” but there is no level in children that is considered safe.

Dr. Hanna Mona-Attisha, a local pediatrician whose research helped expose the crisis last year, previously told RT that the highest readings recorded were 38 micrograms per deciliter. Brain damage caused by lead is irreversible, though its effects can be alleviated with proper nutrition and medical care.

The water crisis in Flint began in 2014 after the city, run by a state-appointed emergency manager at the time, decided to switch its water source from the system run by Detroit to the Flint River in a cost-cutting measure. The corrosive water was not treated properly and leached away lead from city pipes as it was delivered to homes and other buildings.

Despite immediate complaints from residents about dirty, smelly water, officials insisted it was safe for consumption for about a year and a half, until research by activists and the medical community exposed the situation.

According to the lawsuit, city and state officials knew about the dangerous lead levels in 2014, but violated federal law by not doing anything to eliminate the risk. It also states “they actually took affirmative steps to downplay the severity of the contamination from its citizens.”

A spokesman for Governor Snyder told the Associated Press that it does not comment on pending litigation, adding that the administration is “staying focused on solutions for the people of Flint.”

In addition to the lead water crisis, Flint also experienced an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, which sickened 87 people and killed nine. That outbreak has been linked by some to the water issue, though that has not been conclusively confirmed.

“I have not seen anything of this magnitude, ever,” said Shkolnik. “It’s an irreversible situation.”

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LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Published

6 days ago

November 12, 2024

Oakland Post

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

STREAMED LIVE!
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YOUTUBE: youtube.com/blackpressusatv
X: twitter.com/blackpressusa

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NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention Highlights Black Voter Engagement, and More

A Friday panel featuring NAACP Chairman Leon W. Russell and Regina Wilson, Executive Director of California Black Media, examined Project 2025, an initiative perceived as a potential threat to civil rights, healthcare access, and environmental protection. This session emphasized Project 2025’s projected impact on Black communities, noting that policies within the initiative could diminish gains in civil and environmental rights over decades. Russell and Wilson highlighted the need for vigilant monitoring and community mobilization to address these challenges.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 4, 2024

Oakland Post

NAACP State Conference President Rick Callender (right) engages in a discussion on voter engagement and community advocacy with NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson during the 37th NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention in Los Angeles. Photo by Rich Woods.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

The 37th NAACP California-Hawaii State Convention concluded on Sunday, Oct 27, following four days of discussions and workshops at the Los Angeles Airport Marriott. Bringing together civil rights leaders, policymakers, and advocates from California and Hawaii, the convention operated under the theme “All In.” The participants discussed critical issues impacting Black communities, including criminal justice reform, health equity, economic empowerment, education, environmental justice, and voting rights.

On Saturday, the President’s Fireside Chat brought together NAACP President Derrick Johnson and CA/HI State Conference President Rick Callender, who discussed the urgency of voter engagement and community advocacy.

Guest speakers included Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA-43), who spoke at the Women in NAACP (WIN) Labor Luncheon about the intersection of labor rights and civil rights. California State Superintendent Tony Thurmond delivered remarks at the Leadership Dinner on education equity, focusing on policies to ensure all students have access to high-quality education.

Honors were given to longtime social justice advocate and former Assemblymember Mike Davis for his work in community activism. At the same time, actor and activist Danny Glover and the Rev. Dr. Amos C. Brown received the 2024 Legacy Hall of Fame Awards, recognizing their lifelong commitments to advancing civil rights.

The convention also offered practical workshops, including “What’s On Your Ballot?,” where coalition leaders provided analyses of California propositions, explaining their potential impacts on community rights and resources. The Voter Turnout Workshop provided background and encouraged participants to promote voter turnout through community-centered outreach strategies.

Sunday’s events closed with a Prayer and Memorial Breakfast honoring the contributions of past and current civil rights leaders.

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Atty Gen Bonta: U.S. Law Mandating Emergency Care to All Patients Faces Threats

The attorney general highlighted that EMTALA is vital for ensuring that no individual is turned away from emergency services based on financial status or insurance coverage. Bonta stated that the law has been a cornerstone of emergency healthcare for decades, providing peace of mind to millions of Americans who might otherwise hesitate to seek urgent medical attention due to cost concerns.

Published

2 weeks ago

November 3, 2024

Oakland Post

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By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

California Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the critical need to protect the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), mandating that hospitals provide emergency care to all patients regardless of their ability to pay.

In a recent statement, Bonta highlighted the potential threats to this essential legislation amid ongoing discussions about healthcare accessibility in the U.S.

“EMTALA ensures that no one is denied access to emergency medical care, including abortion care, and this federal law is more imperative than ever following the overturn of Roe v. Wade,” said Bonta.

This decision to support the federal government’s case comes at a time when many healthcare providers are facing pressure from rising costs and legislative changes that could undermine existing protections. Bonta called on lawmakers to reinforce EMTALA’s provisions and to combat any efforts aimed at weakening the act, asserting that equitable access to emergency care is a fundamental right.

He urged state and federal governments to ensure that all Americans, particularly marginalized communities, have the necessary access to emergency services without fear of financial repercussions. The brief indicates the coalition’s commitment to healthcare equity, emphasizing that maintaining strong protections under EMTALA is crucial for safeguarding public health.

As discussions around healthcare policy continue, Bonta remains steadfast in promoting initiatives that protect emergency care access, asserting that everyone deserves timely and appropriate medical treatment in emergencies. His efforts align with ongoing legal and advocacy battles to preserve the rights established by EMTALA in the face of evolving healthcare challenges.