(WWJ) – A judge has declared a mistrial in a dispute over partial liability for Flint's lead-contaminated water. The jury couldn't reach a verdict after hearing months of evidence against two engineering firms, Veolia North America and Lockwood, Andrews & Newman, known as LAN.
The two firms were accused of not doing enough to get Flint to treat the highly corrosive water or urging the city to go back to using a regional water supply.
Flint's water became contaminated in 2014-15 because water pulled from the Flint River wasn't treated to reduce the corrosive effect on lead pipes. The city had previously used water from an agency in Detroit, citing cost concerns.
Jury deliberations began in late July after hearing months of evidence.
The trial centered on Veolia and LAN and the effects the lead had on four children, according to the Associated Press. Officials say the result of the trial would likely influence other possible trials related to the Flint
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WWJ Legal Analyst Charlie Langton says the defense for the engineering firms pointed towards government officials being the ones responsible for the water crisis.
He says the case will not necessarily be thrown out. It will stay, if the plaintiffs want to bring it back.
“What it really goes to show you here is that in Flint, the people that are responsible, at least in this particular case, it seems like it’s the government,” Langton said. “It could have been these engineering firms and perhaps other people. But it is difficult to say the engineering firms were the cause – a big contributor.”
During closing arguments in the trial, attorneys argued Veolia should bare 50% responsibility and LAN 25%, with public officials accounting for the rest.