Hill Harper: Fully compensate the people of Flint

For a decade now, the proud, hard-working and resilient people of Flint have endured a catastrophe that stands among the most egregious acts of injustice in modern American history. The Flint water crisis is not merely a failure of infrastructure; it is a systemic affront to the well-being of an entire community. This disaster goes beyond the toxic water flowing from taps; it represents repeated assaults on the community's heart, spirit and health.Each day in Flint is marred by the silent devastation of profound mental health torment and stress endured by residents, plagued by uncertainty and fear as they watch neighbors and loved ones suffer from mysterious ailments, all the while haunted by the question: "Am I next?"

Imagine having to replace multiple household appliances wrecked by corrosive water and thinking what that water is doing to you and your children’s bodies — each breakdown a stark reminder of the pervasive poison their families have been exposed to. 

Envision the deep economic wounds inflicted as property values nosedive — not gradually, but precipitously, leaving families with homes worth a fraction of their mortgages and local businesses shuttering their doors. Not to mention, having to spend thousands of dollars on bottled water. This is a tragedy inflicted on a community that forced many to pack up their lives and leave, not out of desire but desperation, carrying the heavy burden of losses that no settlement has yet to acknowledge fully.As we mark the 10th anniversary of this crisis, the promise of compensation remains a mirage for many, obscured by legal complexities and bureaucratic red tape. The settlement process, heralded as a beacon of hope, has instead become a labyrinth of injustice, particularly for adult plaintiffs who find their compensation pool unfairly diminished.The recent Special Master court report revealed an astonishing $46 million of accrued interest from the unfairly delayed and diluted unpaid settlement dollars. We demand that this accrued interest be allocated to the adult plaintiffs' pool of funds, exempt from any lawyer commissions, contingencies or court fees. The Flint water crisis is not merely an environmental disaster; it is a stark manifestation of negligence and disregard for human life. In April 2014, Flint's water source was switched to the Flint River without adequate treatment to prevent lead leaching from old pipes. The water, corrosive and contaminated, unleashed a torrent of lead and other toxins into homes, poisoning residents. Children, adults, and the elderly suffered, with no regard for their well-being by those who were supposed to protect them.Subsequent legal battles were supposed to bring justice and compensation to the victims. In 2020, a settlement was announced, promising to distribute hundreds of millions to those affected, with special consideration for children who are most vulnerable to lead poisoning. However, the distribution has been marred by delays and a complex claims process that has left many, especially adults, in limbo or left out.

As it stands, the adult plaintiffs, who also suffered immensely, have the smallest pool of money allocated to them. This disparity is compounded by the fact that lawyers stand to claim a significant portion of the compensation through commissions and contingency fees, even on the interest accrued on these unpaid settlement dollars. This is not just deeply unfair; it is morally reprehensible.The accrued interest on the unpaid settlement dollars represents a financial growth that has nothing to do with the efforts of the lawyers involved. Allocating this interest to the adult plaintiffs' fund, free of legal deductions, is not only a matter of fairness but also a moral obligation. It would serve as a small rectification for the myriad burdens the people of Flint have borne.

There is legal precedent for such an action; the principle of equitable distribution in settlements, especially in cases of mass tort, argues for a fair and just allocation of funds that reflects the suffering and needs of the plaintiffs. The courts have the authority and the moral duty to intervene when the distribution of settlements perpetuates injustice rather than rectifying it.As we stand on the brink of a decade since the Flint water crisis began, it is incumbent upon us, as a society, to advocate for justice and equity for the victims. The redirection of accrued interest to the adult plaintiffs' pool, free from legal deductions, is a critical step towards amending the wrongs inflicted upon the residents of Flint. It is a call for a reevaluation of the values we uphold in our justice system, a system that should prioritize the well-being of victims over the financial gain of legal practitioners.Our government and the representatives we elect are supposed to protect its citizens. The great people of Flint have dreams too, only to see them turn into a decade nightmare by the very people who were supposed to support their growth and foster those dreams. 

A few days ago, in conjunction with the National Clean Water collective, I went to the home of a Flint resident to test their water. Amanda is a wife and mother of four and despite hardships over the past ten years for her and her husband, she remains steadfast and hopeful, but detailed to me so many injustices. The following is just a snapshot of what she shared with me:

“The past 10 years have been so hard for so many of us —  especially knowing they poisoned all of us but most of all children, and their purity and not knowing and still not fully understanding the dangers and disadvantages — their behavior, breathing, hair loss, rashes, the anxiety to drink from fountains even if they are far away from Flint — the financial burden of extra gas and water jugs and buying bottles for years. And the fact that our water bill is even telling us that it is higher than usual, and I’m hearing our bill is already higher than most cities. It’s been so, so hard.” 

Amanda’s tears and the tears of the community must be met with a fight for compensation so people can afford to rebuild their lives.The Flint water crisis is a test of our collective moral and ethical compass.

Let us ensure that their compensation, at the very least, is not siphoned away by those who have not shared in their suffering. The full $46 million must be distributed to the residents immediately.

Hill Harper is a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate.