BENTON HARBOR WATER CONTAMINATION LAWSUITS

The Benton Harbor Water Crisis (2018-2021) Exposed the Community to High Levels of Lead in Drinking Water

If you or your loved ones lived in Benton Harbor, Michigan between 2018 and 2021, you may have been exposed to dangerous levels of lead in the drinking water—without being warned. Evidence shows that hundreds of children were poisoned due to the reckless and negligent actions of city and state officials who failed in their duty to protect public health.

Despite clear evidence, as early as October 2018, that lead levels exceeded federal limits requiring action, state officials downplayed the danger. The State of Michigan issued a misleading advisory that failed to alert residents to the potential health hazards. At the same time, Benton Harbor’s former Mayor publicly urged residents not to be “on high alert” and falsely claimed the contamination was not widespread. This concealed the risks to residents.

Even worse, the City continued to falsely assure the public that the drinking water was safe—despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary. Eventually, the City sought outside help. Private engineers were hired specifically to fix the water, but worsened the problem. Proposals by these private engineers were approved by the State and implemented by the City. However, these plans contained incorrect information and were not suitable for a City like Benton Harbor. These proposed solutions should never have been approved and ultimately caused an increase in the amount of lead in the water.

Despite outreach from concerned citizen groups and legal mandates, the City and State failed to act during critical opportunities to protect residents, especially vulnerable children. Engineers prolonged the potential harm to children by providing faulty solutions. As a result, for nearly three years, families in Benton Harbor were unknowingly exposed to hazardous lead levels.

The Health Impacts of Childhood Lead Poisoning

Lead poisoning is permanent—and preventable. Leading medical and governmental authorities agree: there is no safe level of lead exposure, especially for children. Even low levels of lead can disrupt brain development and result in lifelong challenges. Symptoms may include:

• Learning disabilities
• Trouble concentrating or focusing
• Behavioral changes, such as aggression or withdrawal
• Depression or anxiety
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

These effects may take years to manifest but can have a lasting impact on a child’s well-being, education, and future.

If you or your children lived in Benton Harbor and consumed tap water between 2018 and 2021, and are now experiencing any of these symptoms, you may have a legal claim.

The Benton Harbor Lawsuits – Levy Konigsberg Stands Up for Children Lead Poisoned during the Benton Harbor Water Crisis

Levy Konigsberg has filed lawsuits on behalf of hundreds of children who were unnecessarily exposed to high levels of lead in public drinking water in Benton Harbor, Michigan. After years of denial and delay, the legal system is now allowing these cases to proceed against both government officials and private engineering companies. Levy Konigsberg Partner Melanie Daly successfully argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit to allow Benton Harbor residents’ claims to proceed. The Court recognized that “city officials misled the public about the nature of the lead-water crisis from the moment the lead-level exceedance was discovered.”

Our attorneys remain committed to fighting for the rights of Benton Harbor residents. We are pursuing justice against those responsible for allowing this public health disaster to unfold. The parent or guardian of any child who drank public water in Benton Harbor during the years 2018 through 2021, should contact Levy Konigsberg to learn about your rights and explore your legal options for potential financial compensation. We are committed to helping families get the justice they deserve.

Why Choose Levy Konigsberg LLP to Represent Your Case?

If you, or someone you know, may have been injured as a result of exposure to dangerous chemicals, heavy metals or dusts such as lead, mercury, tungsten, silica, manganese, photoresists, industrial alcohols, asbestos, radiation, or other toxic materials, you may wish to retain counsel to help minimize the ordeal. We, at LK, can help.

The lawyers at Levy Konigsberg have protected the rights of individuals and groups whose lives have been damaged or taken from them by the negligence and wrongdoing of others for more than 30 years.

Our law firm has won numerous verdicts in the millions and hundreds of millions of dollars, among the highest in the country. The verdicts have not only led to some of the largest damage awards in their field, but they have also resulted in a number of landmark decisions.