Lawsuits for Edenville, Sanford Dam Failures
Last Updated on March 7, 2023
Investigation Complete
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org have finished their investigation into this matter.
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At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Anyone who lives or owns property near the Edenville and Sanford dams that broke in May 2020.
- What’s Going On?
- A handful of class action lawsuits have been filed against the owners and operators of the dams alleging that the May 2020 breach was entirely preventable. Now, Michigan residents are suing, claiming that the companies are responsible for the damage done to their properties and livelihoods as a result of the dams’ failure.
- How a Lawsuit Can Help
- A class action lawsuit could provide Michigan residents with money for property loss, repairs and restoration, and emotional distress.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org would like to speak to anyone who lives or owns property near the Edenville and Sanford dams and was affected by the May 2020 collapse.
It has been alleged that the dams’ owners and operators were repeatedly told that the dams were “decrepit,” “unstable” and “unsafe” yet failed to take the appropriate steps to rectify their many issues. As a result, Michigan residents are coming forward claiming Bryce Hydro Power, Edenville Hydro Property and others are responsible for their losses.
If you live or own property near the Edenville and Sanford dams, you may be able to take legal action over the breach.
What Are the Dams’ Operators Being Accused Of?
The lawsuits claim the May 2020 breach of the Edenville and Sanford dams was “entirely preventable” and never would have occurred had they been properly and safely maintained. The suits accuse the owners and operators of repeatedly ignoring warnings from federal regulators, intentionally hiding the deteriorating condition of the Edenville dam and knowing for years that the lack of adequate spillways posed a great danger to the surrounding area.
Specifically, the defendants are facing allegations that they:
- Were “repeatedly warned” by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission that the Edenville Dam was prone to catastrophic failure and posed a hazard to surrounding property and nearby residents
- Knew since at least July 2004 that the Edenville Dam could not withstand severe flooding due to inadequate spillway capacity
- Ignored requests to submit design plans for auxiliary spillways and failed to meet deadlines for their construction
- Concealed the failure of a spillway wall and tried to secretly fix it without reporting the failure or plans to repair it to the proper authorities
- Refused to pay for “much-needed” repairs and updates
- Failed “year after year” to come into compliance with federal and state regulations
On May 19, 2020, heavy rains and flash flooding caused the Edenville dam to break, sending floodwaters downriver through Sanford Lake and Tittabawassee River. Shortly thereafter, the floodwaters overtopped the Sanford Dam and spilled out toward Midland and beyond.
How a Lawsuit Can Help
A lawsuit could help people in Gladwin, Midland and Saginaw Counties recover money for damages they’ve suffered as a result of the dams breaking.
This may include compensation for:
- Loss of property
- Diminution of property value
- Repair and restoration costs
- Emotional distress
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