General News
11/19/2009 5:05 AM ET
(RTTNews) -
A US federal court has held the US Army Corps of Engineers responsible for massive flooding in an area of New Orleans as Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005.
In a ruling Wednesday, US District Judge Stanwood R Duval Jr upheld complaints by six residents and a business firm against the Army engineers, who are responsible for maintaining a system of canals and earthworks that protect New Orleans from storm surges.
The plaintiffs were each awarded $720,000 in damages, a decision that could lead to more claims by thousands of residents and business owners in the area, reports quoting lawyers said.
Hurricane Katrina flooded much of New Orleans and killed more than 1,800 people on the US Gulf coast.
The Army Corps is responsible for maintaining a system of canals and earthworks that protect New Orleans from storm surges.
Judge Duval said its "negligent failure" to maintain the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet canal gave a 'funnel' effect for the rising waters.
The government can appeal against the ruling, the first time a US court has found the federal government directly responsible for some of the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
by RTT Staff Writer
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