A plaintiffs attorney pursuing the consolidated class action over the water contamination crisis in Flint, Michigan, is aiming for former Gov. Rick Snyder's pocketbook now that a federal judge has reinstated him as a defendant in the case.

Earlier this week U.S. District Judge Judith Levy, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, reversed her own Aug. 1 order dismissing Snyder from the case, which was brought on behalf of Flint residents with health problems and businesses suffering diminished property values after government officials switched the source of their drinking water.

That means that Snyder, who left the governor's office this year due to term limits, could be held personally liable, said Michael Pitt, co-lead counsel in the class action.