Haddonfield Flood Victims Confront Commissioners
Haddonfield is a community of nearly 13,000 people that is located in Camden County. In June of 2019, a storm hit South Jersey. Flash flooding caused major damage to a particular section of Haddonfield. Soon after, residents raised very serious questions about what went wrong. Notably, in previous years, residents had complained to local officials about pooling water during significant rainfall events due to problems with the drainage piping system.
A number of lawsuits were filed against Haddonfield. Earlier this year, multi-million verdicts were issued for some property owners in the flood-affected area. At Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky P.C., we are committed to fighting for justice for clients, including homeowners and property owners damaged by the negligence of a government entity. Here, our class action litigation attorneys provide a more comprehensive case overview.
A Flood-Hit Haddonfield Hard in June of 2019
Flash flooding is an issue that impacts many communities. A flash flood is a rapid flooding of low-lying areas in less than six hours. Unlike regular floods, which can develop slowly and be forecasted in advance, flash floods occur suddenly and can be extremely dangerous due to their swift onset and the violent force of the moving water. Flash floods are generally caused by intense rainfall over a short period from thunderstorms or other severe weather events. With that being said, underlying problems and systematic water management failures can make certain areas more vulnerable to flash flooding.
That is exactly what happened in Haddonfield, New Jersey in June of 2019. A severe thunderstorm hit the area. It led to catastrophic flash flooding in a certain section of the local community. Lawsuits were filed against the municipal government on the grounds that failures related to water management created and exacerbated the flood risk. The claim argued that water mismanagement led to extensive property damage and outright contamination—including the presence of dangerous amounts of waste in floodwaters—that made the affected homes uninhabitable and, eventually, totally unmarketable. Homes on Lafayette Avenue and Heritage Road were affected.
Flood Victims Confronting Local Officials in Haddonfield, New Jersey
As reported by 6 ABC Action News, angry Haddonfield residents who were affected by the catastrophic flash flooding directly confronted local officials in a government meeting. Dallas Luciotti and her neighbors, Will and Jessica Vespe, attended a Haddonfield Borough meeting to express their deep frustration and distress. They were victims of the flash flood that was caused, in large part, by a storm drain malfunction. The flooding devastated their homes—making them a total loss. Ms. Luciotti, who was left homeless by the flood, voiced sharply criticized local authorities for their lack of responsibility. For their part, the Vespes, who were forced to live in an RV after the flooding destroyed their home and ruined their personal belongings, were also upset that Haddonfield officials had done so little to prevent and address the severe flooding.
A Nearly $22 Million Verdict Was Awarded to Several Haddonfield, NJ Flood Victims
As reported by Courier Post, a jury in New Jersey awarded $21.8 million to several plaintiffs who claimed negligent stormwater management by the Borough of Haddonfield contributed to substantial property damage to their homes. Along with other things, the plaintiffs asserted that failures in the borough’s stormwater system—which was seriously exacerbated by a lack of adequate basic preventive measures such as retention basins—directly caused the June 2019 flooding. For its part, the defense contended that the flooding was due to an unusually severe storm and the natural low-lying condition of the plaintiffs’ properties. However, the jury ruled in favor of the plaintiffs finding that the municipal government’s failures played a big role in the destruction.
Note: A lawsuit was also brought by homeowners against a private utility company called New Jersey American Water. That claim was settled by the parties early this year.
Haddonfield Built a New Stormwater Drainage System in 2006 (Major Issues Followed)
The plaintiffs’ case against Haddonfield centered around the municipality’s negligence in managing stormwater infrastructure. Specifically, the affected homeowners argued that problems began after the borough constructed a drainage system beneath the Port Authority Transit Corporation (PATCO) train tracks in 2006. Homeowners repeatedly reported problems to local officials after the work was complicated. They argued that it was inadequate and poorly maintained. Despite the warnings, Haddonfield removed the original drainage swale in 2014. A drainage swale is a shallow, wide depression in the ground designed to collect and channel rainwater runoff. It exists to help with water management and reduce the risk of flooding. However, the Haddonfield system proved to be problematic. Water would reportedly pool and not drain properly even during somewhat heavy rainfall.
How Our Class Action Lawyers Can Help
A class action lawsuit is a type of legal action that is filed by one or more plaintiffs on behalf of a larger group of similarly-situated parties who have suffered harm. These claims may be brought against corporations, organizations, and even government entities. Indeed, property owners can bring a class action lawsuit against a local government if they collectively suffer damage due to the government’s improper actions or outright negligence.
Patrick Howard is an experienced class action litigation attorney who is committed to providing top-tier advocacy to clients. We offer a wide range of class action resources and we have a proven record of case results in complex claims. Our class action litigation team is prepared to review your case, investigate the incident, explain your options, and help you develop a comprehensive strategy to get justice and the maximum available financial compensation.
Contact Our Class Action Litigation Attorneys for Haddonfield Flood Victims Today
At Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky P.C., our class action litigation lawyers are skilled, experienced, and justice-focused advocates for clients. If you have any specific questions or concerns about a class action claim against a local government entity, we can help. Contact us today for a free, completely confidential initial consultation. We represent class action plaintiffs nationwide.