Fairness hearing for Flint water settlement begins Monday

(Mich.) Individuals impacted by the Flint water crisis may be getting some money from the state soon. 

Staring Monday July 12, a fairness hearing to decide whether the state of Michigan's $600 million Flint water civil settlement will be approved. 

The hearing will take place July 12, 13, and 15 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. 

In August of 2020 Michigan's Attorney General Dana Nessel and Governor Gretchen Whitmer agreed that the state would contribute $600 million to settle lawsuits filed by people who claim they were affected when they the city of Flint decided to start getting its water supply from the Flint River back in 2014.

In addition to the state of Michigan, other defendants in the settlement include the city of Flint, McClaren Regional Medical Center, and Rowe Professional Services Co. 

Preliminary approval was given to the settlement back in January by Judge Judith Levy. 

That preliminary approval allowed Flint residents to indicate  their intentions to file eligible settlement claims. 

According to the preliminary agreement of the settlement, 80% of the net fund will go to settle claims filed on behalf of children that were minors when they were exposed to water from the Flint River. 

According to Nessel's office, the state has already spent $423 million in response to the Flint Water crisis. 

Nessel's office also says a final ruling on the settlement is expected later this summer after Judge Levy listens to arguments and objections to determine if the settlement is fair, adequate, and reasonable.