{"id":6047,"date":"2020-05-28T15:59:15","date_gmt":"2020-05-28T19:59:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:10028\/?post_type=practiceareas&p=6047"},"modified":"2022-06-21T16:55:28","modified_gmt":"2022-06-21T20:55:28","slug":"michigan-dam-failure-lawyers-2","status":"publish","type":"practiceareas","link":"https:\/\/www.napolilaw.com\/practice-areas\/michigan-dam-failure-lawyers-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Michigan Dam Failure Lawyers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Michigan Dam Failure Lawyers<\/span><\/h2>\n

Predictably heavy rains in the spring of 2020 turned into a disastrous flood when the privately-owned Edenville and Sanford Lake dams suffered catastrophic failure, leaving parts of central Michigan, including large swathes of Midland, Gladwin, and Saginaw Counties, suddenly underwater and formerly lakefront (and flood-damaged) homes in front of broad mud flats.<\/span><\/p>\n

The economic losses were equally sweeping. Countless homes and businesses sustained severe damage. Much of this damage may not be adequately covered by insurance. There are indirect losses as well. For example, Wixom Lake, a picturesque, century-old lake, became a muddy pit. Hundreds of lakeside homes lost much of their value, and that\u2019s just the beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n

At Napoli Shkolnik<\/span><\/a>, our dedicated Michigan dam failure lawyers work hard to ascertain your losses and obtain the compensation you need and deserve. Because of our tenacious approach, we often are able to settle such claims out of court.<\/span><\/p>\n

From Our Blog: Are Aging Dams A Ticking Time Bomb<\/a><\/p>\n

About Boyce Power LLC<\/span><\/h3>\n

For a number of years, entities related to this Michigan-based engineering company designed, built, and maintained a number of key dams in the state, including the aforementioned Sanford Lake and Edenville dams. This spring, before the catastrophic dam failures, the state filed suit against these entities for allegedly opening the Edenville gates illegally, lowering Wixom Lake\u2019s water level by almost ten feet.<\/span><\/p>\n

This incident was not the first time the company fell under scrutiny. In 2018, the state cited Boyce Power for potential overflow remediation which would have avoided an incident like the Michigan dam failure. As a result, Boyce Power lost one of its operating licenses.<\/span><\/p>\n

The issues presented in this case are similar to the ones in the Flint, Michigan water crisis<\/span><\/a>. There, engineering firms betrayed the public trust and exposed thousands of residents to dangerously high lead levels; here, engineers betrayed the public trust and exposed thousands of residents to disastrous flooding and possible chemical contamination, including of ground- and drinking-water from private wells. <\/span><\/p>\n

Napoli Shkolnik attorneys successfully intervened on behalf of the Flint victims and we will fight just as hard for central Michiganders in affected areas. We have the tools to bring about the same results to Michigan dam failure victims.<\/span><\/p>\n

Liability Theories<\/span><\/h3>\n

Water storage is an ultrahazardous activity. The risks include not only floods, but also hydroelectric disasters. Because of this designation, Michigan law holds companies like Boyce Power to a higher standard. And, as the old saying goes, the bigger they are, the harder they fall.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Napoli Shkolnik team uses a variety of legal theories to obtain compensation for victims. The best option varies, depending on the facts of your specific claim. That\u2019s one reason to partner with an independent lawyer rather than join a class action suit. More on that below.<\/span><\/p>\n

Negligence<\/span><\/h4>\n

Essentially, negligence is a lack of care. Since water storage is a hazardous activity, the duty of care is high in Michigan. At a minimum, to comply with its legal responsibilities, each dam owner must have:<\/span><\/p>\n