Daily Briefs

Flint water lawsuit settlement now totals about $641 million


LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The proposed settlement of a lawsuit filed on behalf of residents of Flint, Michigan, who were harmed by lead-tainted water now totals about $641 million, officials revealed Tuesday.

The lawsuit was the result of workers following state environmental officials’ advice not to use anti-corrosive additives. Without those treatments, water from the Flint River scraped lead from aging pipes and fixtures, contaminating Flint’s tap water.

The proposed deal between lawyers representing Flint residents and the city of Flint, McLaren Regional Medical Center, the engineering and environmental services firm Rowe Professional Services and the state of Michigan was expected to be filed late Tuesday in U.S. District Court.

“This settlement agreement is just one of the many ways we will continue showing our support for the city and residents of Flint,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “The details of the proposal that have been presented to the judge are an important step forward and we are committed to helping the residents of Flint participate in this process as we all work together towards the brighter future that Flint deserves.”

The state’s offer of $600 million was announced in August. McLaren and Rowe also agreed to settle now rather than litigate. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Flint’s portion of the settlement is $20 million. McLaren is providing $20 million and Rowe is providing $1.25 million.

Court-appointed counsel Corey Stern says Flint residents will have 60 days to register to participate in the settlement. Those that register will then have 120 days to produce documents supporting their claims.

If accepted by the court, the settlement would excuse the state of Michigan, the city of Flint, McLaren and Rowe from pending civil litigation related to the water crisis. Lawsuits would continue against other defendants that did not agree to settle, including the federal government and other consultants who worked with the city on water issues.

 

State Bar section hosting Party’n With Plants, Dec. 3

The State Bar of Michigan Paralegal/Legal Assistant Section will host a virtual happy hour and craft event – Party’n With Plants – on Thursday, December 3, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Guests will plant, socialize, and create a fun succulent garden with a kit from Party’n With Plants.

Party’n With Plants offers succulent terrariums, fairy gardens and zen garden craft kits and is one of the only companies that ships a complete kit which includes the dirt, gravel, and a real plant. 

Anyone without a green thumb need not worry since they only use hens and chicks succulents which are low maintenance and hard to kill (they only need to be watered once a month). Party’n With Plants was founded in 2016 in rural Sharon Township, Ohio by Nicole Pearch. Party’n With Plants is mainly found on Etsy where Pearch and her team have shipped out more than 30,000 Garden Kits all over the world. Pearch will walk guests through our projects, answering any questions from those of us who may be “crafted challenged.”

Guests can grab their favorite beverage and order their succulent garden kit from Party’n With Plants at Etsy.com/shop/partynwithplants (enter SBM in special instructions field).  To register, email sbmparalegal@gmail.com in order to receive the Zoom link.


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Three-County & Full Pass also available