Farmers Withdraws Climate Change Suit Against Municipalities
Farmers Insurance Group, which filed nine class actions in May against nearly 200 communities in the Chicago area, is withdrawing its lawsuit.
The suit accused the Illinois municipalities of failing to prepare for severe rains and flooding. It argued that the local governments should have known rising global temperatures would lead to heavier rains and should have done more to fortify their sewers and stormwater drains.
Some have speculated it could be the first in what could be a wave of litigation over who should be liable for the possible costs of climate change.
Farmers spokesman Trent Frager offered a statement on the sudden change of heart.
Evidently the threat of the suit was enough.
“We believe our lawsuit brought important issues to the attention of the respective cities and counties, and that our policyholders’ interests will be protected by the local governments going forward,” the Farmer’s statement reads. “Therefore, we have withdrawn the suit and hope to continue the constructive conversations with the cities and counties in Chicagoland to build stronger, safer communities.”
The class-action suits were filed in areas around Chicago that have been affected by flooding in recent years.
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