Wivenhoe Class Action
It is loosely estimated that over 20,000 people were directly affected by the flooding that was exacerbated by the release of millions of tonnes of water from the Wivenhoe Dam in January 2011. Independent investigators are currently evaluating the viability of a billion dollar class action by the flood victims against the operators of the Wivenhoe Dam, the Queensland State Government.
What is a class action?
A class action is where a group of people share a legal problem and one person (generally a legal firm) will instigate representative proceedings on behalf of the people affected. The advantages are that:
1. A single case can resolve multiple disputes.
2. People with a grievance in common with others can join a case that they may otherwise not have filed due to financial constraints.
The Instigation of the Wivenhoe Dam Class Action
IMF
IMF is the largest litigation funder in Australia and become involved in cases where the claim is seen to be over $5 million AUD. IMF does not itself provide legal advice but instead provides funding, investigation services and asset tracking and can also assist to facilitate the maximum amount achieved for claim settlements.
In early February 2012 an IMF Media Release said that they felt that the Queensland State Government inquiry into the January 2011 events when the water was released from Wivenhoe Dam will not fully uncover all of the facts, that IMF will fund an independent investigation and “ any viable legal proceedings.” Read the full IMF media release here.
Maurice Blackburn Lawyers
On February 6th 2012 IMF, in conjunction with Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, circulated a media release that stated that Maurice Blackburn would working with IMF to uncover the causes of the January 2011 Queensland flooding and to determine whether there are people that suffered compensable loss through the actions of the operators of the Wivenhoe Dam. Read the full media release here.
IMF and Maurice Blackburn are updating interested parties via a Facebook page that is located at https://www.facebook.com/WivenhoeDamIMF
Maurice Blackburn, a national class action law firm, with their own media release on February 3rd 2012, had already confirmed that they would be “investigating a potential class action against the operators of the Wivenhoe Dam over the 2011 floods” so it was no surprises when they teamed up with IMF. See the full release at http://www.mauriceblackburnnsw.com.au/news/press-releases-and-announcements/2012/maurice-blackburn-exploring-potential-qld-floods-class-action.aspx
Slater and Gordon Lawyers
On a separate front, Slater and Gordon, also a highly regarded class action law firm in Australia, is investigating the viability of legal action against the Queensland Government over the releasing of the water from the Wivenhoe Dam and the floods in January 2011. They reportedly are already representing a number of people who were victims of the flooding.
Video Links
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2011/s3188430.htm