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Atty. Fieger: $100-million Flint Legionnaire’s outbreak lawsuit “might go higher”

Geoffrey Fieger photo
Courtesy photo
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Fieger Law
Southfield attorney Geoffrey Fieger

Attorney Geoffrey Fieger has filed a $100-million lawsuit against the state of Michigan and McClaren Flint Hospital over the outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease. Current State’s Scott Pohl talks with Fieger about the suit.

Last week, Southfield-based attorney Geoffrey Fieger filed a $100-million lawsuit against the state of Michigan and McClaren Flint Hospital, alleging that more could have been done to prevent the spread of Legionella pneumonia last year during the water crisis in Flint. The suit has been filed in Genesee County Circuit Court on behalf of four people who contracted Legionnaire’s Disease while being treated at the hospital.

According to a press release issued by Fieger Law, the complaint alleges that both Gov. Rick Snyder and McClaren Flint Hospital knew about the Legionella problem but did nothing to stop the outbreak or to alert the public.

WKAR asked both Gov. Snyder and McClaren Flint Hospital for comment. A spokesman in the Governor’s office sent a statement saying that “it would be inappropriate to discuss pending litigation.”

McClaren Flint Hospital sent this statement: “Though we cannot discuss specifics of the lawsuit, and we cannot disclose information related to any individual patient’s care, McLaren Flint wants to assure our patients, visitors, employees, volunteers and the community that the hospital’s water supply is safe. We are diligent in our water quality monitoring, and testing for both Legionella and lead shows the water at McLaren Flint meets safety and quality standards.”

Current State’s Scott Pohl talks with Geoffrey Fieger about the lawsuit.

Scott Pohl is a general assignment news reporter and produces news features and interviews. He is also an alternate local host on NPR's "Morning Edition."
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