Over 600 children living in Jackson, Mississippi filed suit against the capital city Tuesday. The complaint alleges city officials blatantly disregarded warnings about water safety, corrosion, toxins, and drink-ability. These decisions ultimately accounted for unsafe drinking water throughout the city for over six years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control: “No safe blood lead level in children has been identified … [and] [l]ead exposure can affect nearly every system in the body.”[1] Lead poisoning in children can cause serious impairments in cognitive development and learning capabilities which can dramatically alter the course of their adult life.
Amanda Williams is the mother of one of the plaintiffs. Williams’ child has lived in Jackson, drinking the water, since birth.
Williams says she is relieved to see this case moving forward for her child.
“I have always loved this city, but Jackson officials have shown little respect for my family and children living here. How could the people we elected to help us do so much harm to us instead? And how could it have gone on so long? We need to put an end to this injustice, which is why I’m so proud to have my child represented in this fight for equality.”
The suit names current and former city officials, private entities, and government agencies. The plaintiffs are represented by New York-based law firm Levy Konigsberg LLP and Jackson-based Chhabra & Gibbs.
Corey M. Stern, a partner at Levy Konigsberg and long-time advocate for victims of lead poisoning, filed the complaint on behalf of the children. Stern serves as Lead Counsel for victims of the Flint water crisis and was an architect of the historic settlement reached with the State of Michigan, the City of Flint, and others responsible for untreated, lead-contaminated water poisoning Flint residents.
Stern said in a statement about the Jackson suit, “Jackson is yet another tragic and horrifying example of a city failing to do right by its residents and ensure they have clean access to drinking water. The lives of the children and families of Jackson who have been exposed to toxic lead will never be the same. But now they’re ready to fight for some semblance of justice after being flagrantly disregarded by the institutions that are supposed to protect them.”
Find out whether you have a case today. Contact our lead poisoning lawyers today for a free lead poisoning case evaluation. We can be reached toll-free at 1-800-988-8005, locally at (800) 315-3806, or by filling out the form on this website.
