Delayed Justice for Mid-Michigan Flood Residents Delays Compensation from the State of Michigan

On May 19, 2020, the Edenville and Sanford Dams overflowed, devastating communities and upending the lives of thousands of Michiganders. Residential homes, businesses and educational institutions were ravaged. To date, victims of the flood have received no justice, no compensation and are paying taxes on property plummeting in value. 

In June 2020, on behalf of nearly 300 clients, Ven Johnson Law, PLC and Romanucci & Blandin, LLC filed a lawsuit against Boyce entities, which owned the dams. The firm also filed a second lawsuit against the State of Michigan for failure to regulate and enforce the law against the Boyce entities who were ignoring the obvious safety hazards of the aging Edenville and Sanford dams. In late July 2020, Boyce entities filed for bankruptcy protection, which was ultimately granted last month.

“As it stands today, the case against the State of Michigan is currently in the Court of Claims and will not go to trial until 2024 at the earliest. Meanwhile, Michigan taxpayers are footing the legal bill with no end in sight,” said Ven Johnson, president, Ven Johnson Law. “Our tax dollars should not be used to defend the government entities that failed thousands of mid-Michigan residents, but instead should be utilized to compensate the victims and rebuild the dams.” 

Over the course of the past year, more than 20 other law firms, representing 3,000 claimants, have filed lawsuits against Boyce and the State of Michigan, both in state and federal courts. A Plaintiff Steering Committee (PSC) has been created to represent the interests of all the victims.  

Last week, Ven Johnson, one of three liaison counsel selected to represent the PSC in court, sent an urgent letter to Gov. Whitmer, Attorney General Nessel, and U.S. Senators Stabenow and Peters, on behalf of the PSC, urging the officials to expedite and bring closure to costly and protracted litigation. 

Ven Johnson Law is asking all citizens to contact their local, state and federal legislators, urging them to act to expediate the litigation and not allow this nightmare to drag on for years without justice.  

Those interested in reaching out to government officials can find legislative contact information and sample language at https://venjohnsonlaw.com/midland/ and on the firm’s social media channels – https://www.facebook.com/venfights, Instagram @venfights and Twitter @VenFights.

For more information, visit www.venjohnsonlaw.com or call 855-VEN-FIGHTS.

About Ven Johnson Law, PLC

Ven Johnson Law, PLC, founded by Ven Johnson in 2011, is personal injury law firm that has worked on some of the most notable cases in America, winning more than $200 million in jury verdicts and settlements totaling more than $400 Million. The firm specializes in personal injury and has numerous subspecialty practices such as auto accidents, boating accidents, medical malpractice, civil rights, police misconduct, premises liability, product liability and many more. The Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids based attorneys fight tirelessly to achieve winning results for their clients.  Ven Johnson and his team have been recognized by legal organizations and publications across the country, including being named to the “Best Law Firms” list by U.S. News & World Report 2017-2020.  For more information visit www.venjohnsonlaw.com or call 1-888-VEN- FIGHTS.

About Romanucci & Blandin, LLC

Romanucci & Blandin is a national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death arising from police misconduct, corporate negligence, civil rights actions, medical malpractice, mass torts and class actions. The attorneys’ steadfast commitment to fighting for those seeking justice around the country has helped the firm obtain multiple verdicts and settlements in the millions of dollars. The Chicago-based personal injury lawyers are dedicated to providing victims who suffered injury as a result of another’s wrongdoing full and fair compensation in a diligent, professional, skilled and caring manner. The lawyers actively support their communities and provide advocacy at the national, state and local levels on issues that support the U.S. tort system. Founded in 1998, Romanucci & Blandin is widely recognized for representing plaintiffs in numerous practice areas including: personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, pharmaceutical, mass torts, civil rights, police misconduct, excessive force, aviation, product liability and premises liability.  For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit www.rblaw.net or call (312) 458-1000.