Michigan City to Pay $1.25M in Sewage-Flooded Basements Suit

Most of a $1.25 million settlement will go to residents of a mid-Michigan city who sued after sewage flooded their basements six years ago.

The Lansing State Journal reported that the Lansing City Council agreed to the settlement, which allows Lansing to avoid admitting fault.

DeAnna Ray-Brown of Lansing spearheaded the class-action lawsuit against the city after untreated sewage flowed into her basement during a June 2013 storm. She says sewage-tainted water destroyed carpet, furniture and a washer-dryer in her finished basement.

The lawsuit argued that the city failed to properly maintain its sewer system.

Lansing City Attorney Jim Smiertka says there were about 400 plaintiffs in the case. Meanwhile, Lansing has filed several lawsuits of its own in an attempt to recoup some money.