Jackson, Mississippi Water Crisis Attorneys 

Helping the Residents of Jackson Take Legal Action 

The City of Jackson, Mississippi and the Siemens Corp engineering firm are being sued by residents who are suffering from the latest water crisis there. A class action has formed against these parties for failing to provide suitable drinking water after the water system failed during catastrophic flooding. The lawsuit also argues that the system was failing well in advance and that residents had been exposed to poorly treated water for years. 

Kershaw Talley Barlow is known as a champion for the wrongfully injured and mistreated nationwide. We are currently investigating the unfolding water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi. With our extensive experience and resources, we can help Jackson locals file claims against the city and engineering firm or join a forming class action. 

Find out if you can file a Jackson water crisis lawsuit. Call (916) 520-6639. 

What Caused the Jackson Water Crisis? 

On August 29th, 2022, heavy rainfall flooded the Pearl River, which rendered the O.B. Curtis Water Plant offline. The localized flooding led to a malfunction of pumps at the J.H. Fewell treatment plant alongside damage to one of the main water treatment plants, which produced insufficient water pressure at the O.B. Curtis treatment plant. Nearly 200,000 people in the area were cut off from running water, prompting a state emergency declaration.

On August 30, Governor Tate Reeves declared a State of Emergency in which the state invested $13 million to restore the water system and distribute water. While water pressure was restored in early September, the city still had an ongoing boil water notice which went on until the middle of the month. In total, residents went about seven weeks without clean, drinkable water. The State of Emergency, originally ending in late October, was extended to November 22.

City officials and engineering firms are struggling to restore normal water distribution to the region. Sadly, this is not the first time water has been contaminated for Jackson residents, as the city has a well-known history of a failed water system and poorly treated water.

Issues for Residents

While some Jackson residents were forced to drink, bathe, and clean with boiled tap water, others had their water completely shut off, relying on just water bottles to fulfill their needs. Many were left without water even to flush their toilets. As if the situation cannot get any worse, many have also faced ongoing exposure to harmful bacteria and toxic lead.

The four residents who started the initial lawsuit claim that they have suffered from lead poisoning, E. coli exposure, dehydration, and various other health problems due to defects in Jackson's water system. According to their complaint, the city's water has been unsafe for human consumption for at least several years. One month before the water system failed as the Pearl River flooded, public officials advised Jackson residents to boil their water before use.

Who is Liable for the Jackson Water Crisis? 

Kershaw Talley Barlow is digging through details and news reports about the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi. We want to be able to prove with a preponderance of evidence which parties contributed to the crisis and should be held liable for the resulting damages.

Forming lawsuits and class actions place the blame on:

• City of Jackson, Mississippi: The city itself is a named defendant for failing to maintain the water treatment plant for years, which might have exposed the residents to lead poisoning. The city is also blamed for failing to prevent the treatment plant's failure in August 2022 that triggered the massive water shortage.
• Mayor Chokwe Lumumba: The mayor of Jackson, Mississippi has been named in at least one Jackson water crisis lawsuit for his failure to hire reliable engineering firms to inspect and maintain the city's water treatment plant.
• Siemens Corp: In 2010, Siemens Corp was hired to install new water meters in Jackson, which should have been instrumental in identifying the water treatment plant's issues and potential failure during heavy rain. The engineering firm could be liable for failing to install reliable water meters. According to the complaint, the water meters appear to have failed to catch water pressure and line issues.
• Trilogy Engineering Services: In 2015, Trilogy Engineering Services was hired by the city to make repairs and complete maintenance on the city's water system. The lawsuit argues that this engineering firm failed to provide the services for which it was hired and does not seem to have repaired the system correctly given that it failed catastrophically only a few years later.

Damages Owed to Jackson Residents 

You and your family have suffered due to the negligent management of Jackson's water system. It is only right that you are compensated for your suffering and losses. With a successful lawsuit handled by Kershaw Talley Barlow and our Jackson water crisis lawyers, compensation could be yours without putting more stress on your shoulders.

Compensation demanded in lawsuits against Jackson, Mississippi includes:

• Unspecified money damages: The lawsuits that have already been filed are demanding an unspecified amount of money damages to pay for losses, harm, and egregious inconvenience caused by the water shortage. If the class action lawsuit succeeds, then the court will need to approve an amount to be distributed among the plaintiff class. This amount should reflect the harm and inconvenience caused by the water shortage.
• Necessary water system repairs: The Jackson, Mississippi water crisis won't resolve itself. The class action lawsuit is also hoping to force the city to make required water system repairs and updates through a court order to require the city and the engineering firms to repair the defective water system after years of allowing it to fall into disrepair.

Class Action Status

Several Jackson, Mississippi residents have taken legal action to bring a lawsuit against city officials and the engineering firms hired by the city. With tens of thousands of locals affected by the water crisis, a class action lawsuit has been proposed. Our law firm is a nationwide leader in class action and toxic exposure lawsuits, and we have filed a complaint for the Jackson, Mississippi water crisis. The class action has only been proposed recently, so there will still be much work to be done to advance it.

Learn If You Can File a Water Crisis Lawsuit Today 

Kershaw Talley Barlow is standing by to help you understand and exercise your rights as a Jackson, Mississippi resident who has been affected by the city's water crisis. If you live in the city or the surrounding area, then you likely have an option to start a lawsuit or join a class action, especially if you have lived there for many years. Trust in our expertise, experience, and ethics. Call (916) 520-6639 to request an initial consultation with our Jackson water crisis lawyers.