US appeals court upholds attorney fees ruling in Flint water crisis settlement case News
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US appeals court upholds attorney fees ruling in Flint water crisis settlement case

The US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Friday upheld a decision by a lower court over attorney fees in the Flint water crisis $600 million partial settlement.

The lower court previously approved the settlement and awarded attorney fees to the attorneys representing the class action participants. Although the settlement was “record-breaking” at $600 million, many Flint residents were disappointed in the total amount they are entitled to. They argued that the attorneys should receive a lesser amount of compensation.

The court rejected the residents’ arguments who suggested to lower the amount awarded to attorneys under the settlement (about 25 percent). The residents requested a more detailed billing record of the attorney fees in a 2021 appeal and the court denied this based on the plaintiffs’ “lack of standing to appeal the district court’s attorney’s fee award”—which the Sixth Circuit sided with.

However, the review claims process is still ongoing in Flint and at least $400 million will go to the victims of the water crisis who were especially vulnerable to the lead contamination.

Former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and four other officials were previously required to testify about the water crisis, and Michigan’s attorney general brought charges of criminal neglect against Snyder for his role in the water crisis.