When politics entered the picture in this tainted water situation, it left hundreds at risk for various cancers.
Even large cities, such as Chicago, have issues with their water. However, recently it was more than just a high bacterial or fecal count that captured the attention of the suburban village community of Crestwood, just outside of Chicago.
Crestwood residents were shocked to learn that a one-time suburban Chicago water department employee was convicted of lying about mixing cancer-causing well water in with the village’s water supply. The drinking water had been tainted for many years, putting residents at high risk to contract various forms of cancer.
The sense of betrayal amongst the 11,000 residents was palpable while describing how they felt on discovering that their local water department supervisor and police chief was convicted of 11 counts of making false statements to federal environmental officials. Each count carries a maximum 5-year jail sentence. Sentencing is in October.
Evidence in the case indicated that from 1982 to 2008, the tainted water was agitated with expensive, cleaner water from Lake Michigan. In the mid-1980s, state environmental officials warned the Crestwood water administration that cancer-causing chemicals were leaching into their well.
As it turned out, the motive seems to have been garnering points with local voters by offering low water rates, proving their knew how to manage money. They saved Crestwood $400,000 each year by using tainted well water.
The debacle and subsequent criminal charges laid in the matter left residents frightened for their health. The woman who started the investigation said she suspected her daughter’s brain tumor was the result of the town water.
Many residents may wish to pursue their legal options by hiring a personal injury attorney and filing a lawsuit. Suits such as this one take a long time to get to trial, due to the length of time required to gather all the pertinent evidence.
In the meantime, many villagers will need to deal with regular bills and any medical expenses that arise as a result of drinking contaminated water. Those residents may want to do some research on the viability of applying for pre-settlement funding from a lawsuit loan company.
Litigation funding is given to an approved plaintiff within 24-48 hours of approval of their attorney managed lawsuit. Plaintiffs do not need to be employed when they apply, do not need a credit check, do not pay any money up front and may keep the lawsuit cash advance if they lose their case in court.
Daren Monroe writes for Litigation Funding Corp. To learn more, visit http://www.litigationfundingcorp.com/.
