A lawyer representing U.S. military families involved in a lawsuit over a 2021 jet fuel leak into a Navy drinking water system in Hawaii requested compensation ranging from $225,000 to $1.25 million per plaintiff. The attorney, Kristina Baehr, emphasized that they are not seeking millions of dollars per person but outlined specific amounts they are asking the judge to award each individual impacted by the contamination. The plaintiffs, including Nastasia Freeman, have suffered from various health issues as a result of the water crisis, such as vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, asthma, eczema, and vestibular dysfunction. Freeman’s damages include compensation for pain and suffering, mental anguish, impairment, loss of enjoyment of life, lost wages, and therapy due to a reactivated seizure disorder.
Seventeen “bellwether” plaintiffs, representing over 7,500 military families, are involved in the lawsuit, with the outcome helping to determine future damages or settlements for the other impacted individuals. The United States government has admitted liability in the case, acknowledging that the spill caused a nuisance for the plaintiffs, breached its duty of care, and resulted in compensable injuries. However, government attorneys dispute whether the residents were exposed to jet fuel at levels sufficient enough to cause their health issues, attributing the continued consumption of contaminated water by some families to the absence of a noticeable odor in the water.
The contamination occurred at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility in Hawaii following an operator error on May 6, 2021, leading to a significant fuel spill that ultimately affected the drinking water supply for approximately 400,000 people in urban Honolulu. The incident resulted in a myriad of health problems for affected individuals, prompting legal action against the government. The Navy eventually agreed to drain the tanks holding the contaminated fuel amidst pressure from state authorities and concerned residents.
Both parties in the lawsuit presented closing arguments in a two-week trial, with the plaintiffs detailing their suffering and ongoing health issues since the water crisis occurred. The plaintiffs emphasized that there is no acceptable level of jet fuel in drinking water and that the contamination has had a detrimental impact on their lives. The judge, Leslie Kobayashi, has yet to issue a ruling on the case, with both sides expected to submit additional briefs and responses before a decision is made. Kobayashi expressed her sympathy for the plaintiffs’ ordeal, assuring them that their voices have been heard throughout the legal process.
Overall, the lawsuit involving the U.S. military families affected by the jet fuel leak in Hawaii seeks compensation for damages incurred due to the water contamination. The plaintiffs have detailed the health issues they have faced as a result of consuming the contaminated water and are seeking appropriate compensation for their suffering. The legal proceedings have brought to light the negligence that led to the fuel spill and subsequent water crisis, prompting the government to take responsibility for the harm caused to the affected individuals.
