City of Hamtramck 2021 Basement Flooding - Class Action Settlement

Basement Flood Lawsuit Class Action Settlement

A settlement has been reached with the City of Hamtramck to resolve claims arising from the June 25-26, 2021 basement flooding event in the City of Hamtramck, Michigan.

On March 10, 2023, the Court issued an Order granting Preliminary Approval of the Class Action Settlement. The Court still has to decide whether to approve the settlement. Payments will only be made if the Court finally approves the settlement and after appeals, if any, are resolved.

Please read this Notice carefully. The Notice explains the settlement, class member rights, the available benefits, and how to get them. Class Members have various options that may be exercised before the Court decides whether to approve the settlement. Class Members’ legal rights are affected whether they act or don’t act.

If the Settlement Agreement is approved by the Court at or after the Fairness hearing described in Section 13 of the Notice, Defendant shall contribute to the creation of a settlement fund totaling $1,000,000 for distribution as set forth in the Settlement Agreement. Defendant also agrees to the construction of the Remedial Sewer Project, estimated to cost Defendant approximately $40 Million pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Settlement Agreement.

In order to claim compensation from the settlement, a Class Member must file with Class Counsel a Claim Form from which he, she, or it sustained Real Property Damages, Personal Property Damages, and/or Out of Pocket Expenses.

The Court has decided that the Settlement Class only includes those persons listed in Exhibit 1 of the Settlement Agreement.

Important Deadlines

May 1, 2023 – Last day to submit either an opt out (to be excluded from the settlement) or object to the Settlement Agreement. This is the deadline to file an objection to the Settlement. This is not the deadline to file an objection to the Class Member's approved claim amount determination under the Settlement. That process is described below in paragraph 7 of the Notice.

May 16, 2023 – Claim Forms must be postmarked on or before this date.

May 5, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom – Final Fairness Hearing to Approve the Settlement Agreement.

How to Obtain a Payment

To obtain payment from the settlement fund, you must do the following:

1. Complete, sign, and date the appropriate Claim Form (it was enclosed with the materials sent to the Class Members). Keep a copy of the completed Claim Form; and

2. Mail the appropriate Claim Form and your supporting documentation no later than May 16, 2023, to the following address: 2723 S State St, Suite 150, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

You will not get paid if you fail to mail in the appropriate Claim Form and supporting documents by the required deadline. Sending in a Claim Form late or without documentation will be the same as doing nothing.

If you are not sure whether you are a member of the Settlement Class or have any other questions about the settlement, please call 734-821-9279. You can also send your questions to Class Counsel by email (info@dubinlawpllc.com) or by mail at: Dubin Law, PLLC., 2723 S State St, Suite 150, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.

Important Documents

Settlement Agreement

Notice of Pendency of Class Action Settlement

Exhibit 1 of the Settlement Agreement

Order Preliminarily Approving Class Action Settlement