The city switched its water supply from Detroit to the Flint River in 2014 to save money while building a more cost-effective regional water system to bring in water from Lake Huron. Consequently, the switch exposed local residents to lead poisoning, E. coli bacteria and toxic chemical byproducts.
State officials are still looking into whether the switch in water supply can be blamed for the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in 2014 and 2015, according to the NBC report.
During the outbreak, roughly 87 cases of Legionnaires’ disease were reported locally, and more than a dozen of the cases were treated at McLaren Flint. Eleven of those patients died, including the mother of one of the four people suing the hospital and state workers. The lawsuit alleges that failing to treat the river water with anti-corrosion agents violated federal regulations.
“A hospital won’t make money if it discloses a Legionnaires’ outbreak from contaminated water, and a governor will stop hearing whispers that he’s being considered for higher office if he reveals a water and Legionnaires’ crisis,” lawyer Geoffrey Fieger said in a statement cited by NBC.
While the lawsuit only mentions damages above $25,000, Mr. Fieger told NBC his is seeking $100 million for his four clients.
At the time of publication, McLaren Flint had not responded to a request for comment.
More articles on Legionnaires’ disease:
At least 87 Legionnaires’ cases, 10 deaths linked to Flint water crisis
How many more have to die before regulators take action on Legionnaires’ disease?
Death toll rises in Illinois Legionnaires’ disease outbreak
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