A federal judge has awarded over $680,000 to 17 families affected by a 2021 jet fuel leak into a Navy drinking water system in Hawaii, establishing a legal precedent for approximately 7,500 additional claimants. U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi announced the awards, ranging from $5,000 to over $104,000 per family, while noting the lack of direct evidence linking the contaminated water to their health issues despite acknowledging potential medical problems caused by the contamination.
The plaintiffs’ attorney, Kristina Baehr, expressed disappointment in the smaller-than-expected awards compared to her requested amounts of $225,000 to $1.25 million. Nevertheless, she emphasized the victory of these families in challenging the U.S. Government, reinforcing that the court rejected the government’s claims that the health issues were psychosomatic and that the exposure levels were insufficient to cause harm.
The jet fuel spill occurred at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, where over 20,000 gallons leaked unnoticed for six months due to a ruptured pipe. This contamination affected a drinking water supply for nearly 90,000 people at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. A subsequent investigation revealed failures in the Navy’s response, including delays in notifying the state health department and in activating emergency protocols.
Following the spill, military families reported various health issues such as skin problems, vomiting, and other symptoms. The incident ignited significant concern among lawmakers, environmental groups, and local residents, leading to the Navy’s decision to drain the tanks and close the facility last year. Baehr’s team is currently evaluating options to resolve the outstanding lawsuits amid ongoing health concerns for the affected families.
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