Judge Awards $680K to Families Over Hawaii Military Water Contamination Case
Seventeen families receive compensation from a judge for health issues linked to a jet fuel leak in Hawaii's Navy water supply.
Summary
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. The ruling provides a foundation for resolving claims from an additional 7,500 plaintiffs. U.S. District Judge Leslie Kobayashi noted insufficient evidence to link the contaminated water directly to their health issues, much to the disappointment of the plaintiffs' attorney, Kristina Baehr, who sought higher damages. The government acknowledged liability for the leak, which occurred at the Red Hill facility, causing widespread health complaints among military families.
Sources (3)
- The ruling is a significant victory for the plaintiffs, proving the U.S. Government's negligence in handling the contaminated water incident that affected military families.
- Families expressed disappointment in the awarded damages but highlighted their perseverance in holding the government accountable for the spill's ramifications.
- The case emphasizes the military's failure to protect the health and safety of service members and their families, raising concerns about environmental practices.
The Guardian·13d· "…The amount awarded to each of plaintiff was significantly smaller than the roughly $225,000 to $1.25m that their attorney, Kristina Baehr, requested during the two-week trial in federal court in Honolulu."
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