Children and Lead-Poisoned Water: The Risks
No level of lead exposure is considered safe, particularly for children. It is well documented that children with lead poisoning demonstrate irreversible impairments, including lower IQ levels, decreased ability to pay attention, lack of academic achievement, and other life-altering consequences. These children are also at substantially higher for kidney disease, stroke, and hypertension as adults.
Benton Harbor has over 5,000 service lines with only 2% of those lines confirmed to contain no lead. The scope of this crisis and the levels of contamination require urgent intervention.
Demanding Justice for Injured Children in Benton Harbor: Levy Konigsberg
Currently, the legal team at Levy Konigsberg is focused on demanding justice on behalf of roughly 400 children who have been exposed to lead-contaminated water in Benton Harbor. Babies and young children in the area are facing a lifetime of challenges, and the responsible parties must be held accountable for their negligent acts.
The actions taken now to resolve the water crisis are too little, too late, with children who were chronically exposed to the poisoned water suffering permanent cognitive damage. As no cure exists for the harm to a child’s developing brain and nervous system, the lack of action has led to hundreds of children now suffering irreversible damage.
A Delayed Response Brings Tragic Consequences.
So far, the response to this crisis has been anything but urgent. Three years later, the actions taken by both the city and the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) have been ineffective. Michigan's governor signed a plan to start replacing the service lines but funding for the project is not guaranteed. Only 100 lines will be removed in the spring of 2022 and the entire removal plan could take longer than five years to complete.
Children and families in Benton Harbor already face a growing disparity within their community due to both environmental and socioeconomic stressors. Under ten thousand people live in the city with nearly half living below the federal poverty line. 85% of residents are Black and 5% are Hispanic. Because the inequity of water supply remains unaddressed in this community, the health of the residents and the city itself are in imminent danger. It is too late to undo the damage to the thousands who have been permanently harmed by the state government's delayed response.
Find out whether you have a case by speaking to one of our experienced lead poisoning lawyers. Call (800) 984-4132 or fill out our online form (see form to the right). Our attorneys will be quick to respond to you and answer your questions.
