All families want their children to grow into a happy and successful future. Raising a child is challenging but also extremely rewarding. Parents have to worry about so much these days, but access to clean drinking should never be a concern. In this modern age, we should be far past the days of unsafe water sources. Furthermore, all communities are entitled to immaculate and healthy drinking water. Sadly, many U.S. cities have suffered water contamination. And for the community of Jackson, Mississippi, contaminated water has exposed thousands of children to lead poisoning. Have you or a loved one suffered due to the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi? Reach out today to speak with a Jackson, Mississippi, water contamination lawyer at The Lake Law Firm.
Our law firm is currently handling lawsuits on behalf of individuals who suffered injuries because of lead-contaminated water in Jackson, Mississippi.
The city and its officials must regularly maintain the water source for citizens. Testing is necessary to inspect the water for bacteria, nitrates, arsenic, and lead. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outlines water testing schedules and methods for water systems to follow.
But lawsuits allege that state officials in Jackson, MS, discovered dangerous lead levels and failed to take appropriate action. In January 2015, the Mississippi State Department of Health revealed that 22% of the 58 residences sampled in Jackson contained lead levels above the federal action level. According to the EPA, the legal limit for lead in drinking water is 15 ppb. However, Jackson samples ranged from 17 ppb to 20 ppb. More concerningly, officials collected these samples in June and waited nearly six months to inform the public.
Following this announcement, the state ordered the city to stop its water from corroding lead pipes. This corrosion of old lead pipes may cause lead to leech into the water supply. Yet, the EPA issued an Emergency Order in March 2020 after the agency examined Jackson’s water in February 2020. The EPA determined the water posed “an imminent and substantial endangerment.”
From July 2022 to September 2022, residents were subjected to a boil water advisory after the city’s main water treatment plant discovered cloudy water that may carry bacteria. Shortly after the city issued the boil water notification, Jackson, Mississippi’s residents suffered a catastrophic water system shutdown due to flooding. Following this, in August 2022, the White House announced an emergency declaration for the city since residents had little to no water pressure. The absence of clean running water affected residents’ ability to shower, brush their teeth, make powdered formula, cook, use the toilet, and stay hydrated.
The World Health Organization stated that children absorb 4-5 times more lead than adults from a given source. Therefore, children are far more vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning. From 2009 to 2015, 19,794 children in Mississippi had high lead levels in their blood. Once ingested, this toxic metal can spread to the brain, kidneys, liver, and bones. Also, lead accumulates over time and can result in long-term adverse health effects in exposed children. Lead poisoning in children may cause:
Lawsuits claim that city and state officials harmed the health and future of children in Jackson, Mississippi. In October 2021, attorneys filed suit against Jackson, the Mississippi State Department of Health, and other officials for the lead-contaminated water. This lawsuit represents roughly 600 children who were unknowingly exposed to lead for years. Scientific studies show that lead poisoning in childhood can result in irreparable physical and mental suffering. For example, one study linked childhood lead exposure to future criminal behavior.
Claimants argue that Jackson, Mississippi officials, knew about the lead contamination for years but did not take measures to prevent lead poisoning in children. Instead, officials allowed the distribution of the toxic water to households and innocent children.
On September 16, 2022, a group of Jackson, Mississippi, residents filed a federal class action lawsuit regarding the inaccessibility of safe water. The lawsuit names the current and former mayors, public works directors, and private engineering companies as defendants. Plaintiffs argue that city officials failed to address the water contamination and infrastructure, which denied roughly 160,000 residents clean water to meet basic necessities. Lawsuits allege that residents have struggled for years with unsafe lead levels in their water supply, bacteria in the water, and unreliable running water.
If you believe your child experienced lead poisoning because of contaminated water in Jackson, Mississippi, you may qualify for a lead poisoning lawsuit. A lead poisoning lawsuit can help you recover compensation for:
People in predominantly low-income and black communities are more susceptible to lead exposure. Lawsuits allege that city and state officials neglected the residents of Jackson, Mississippi. Families accuse these officials of concealing lead contamination data and failing to treat the water to prevent lead poisoning in children.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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