Contaminated Water: Law firm seeks compensation

Cancer, birth defects and plummeting property values. People in Security and Widefield say it’s happening because of contaminated drinking water.

A law firm in Colorado Springs is now taking on those people as clients. Residents say they’ve suffered from drinking their own water.

Lawyers from McDivitt Lawfirm will try to prove that someone is responsible for the PFC water contamination.

If the firm succeeds, it will demand compensation.

“We put him to bed that night, we woke up to him not breathing,” said Vicky Dibble.

Dibble is mourning the death of her grandchild. Dibble lives in the worst hit area in Security. She said she has no idea how long she drank the contaminated water.

“The whole time (my daughters) was pregnant she was drinking the water. We did lose our baby, and we don’t know the cause yet,” said Dibble.

One week after Dibble’s grandchild was born, he passed away.

“I just want answers,” said Dibble.

Attorney Mike McDivitt says he also wants answers.

“We think we smell a rat and we want to sniff it out,” said McDivitt.

The law firm is forming a team of experts and toxicologists, trying to prove that someone is responsible for the high levels of toxins in the water.

“These are people who’s home values have gone down. They’ve experience birth defects and lung cancer,” said McDivitt.

The law firm has taken on 20 cases regarding water concerns. Lawyers expect that number to rise.

“Here’s the thing, nobody else is going to pursue this. The people who are responsible aren’t going to. The people with the issues can’t do it themselves. The government isn’t going to do anything,” said McDivitt.

Peterson Air Force Base is suspected to be the source of the contamination.

The military’s pledged $4.3 million to install water filters in Security, Widefield and Fountain.

More tests must be done to confirm the source of the contamination.