Thousands Suffer Health Problems from Fuel Leak on US Navy Base: Lawsuit Demands $1.25 Million Damages

Over 2,500 military families and civilians have filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government for the contamination of their drinking water by toxic jet fuel from a fuel leak at the Red Hill facility in Hawaii. The plaintiffs allege long-term health effects and are seeking damages of up to $1.25 million each.

Thousands of families living near the U.S. military's Red Hill fuel storage facility in Hawaii have suffered severe health problems after their drinking water was contaminated with toxic jet fuel in 2021. Now, over 2,500 plaintiffs have joined a lawsuit against the U.S. government, seeking damages of up to $1.25 million each for the injuries they have endured.

The Red Hill facility, located near Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, was the largest fuel storage facility in the Pacific. In November 2021, a leak of 27,000 gallons of jet fuel infiltrated the aquifer, contaminating the drinking water supply of over 93,000 people.

Thousands Suffer Health Problems from Fuel Leak on US Navy Base: Lawsuit Demands $1.25 Million Damages

Trial lawyer Kristina Baehr, who is representing the military families and civilians in the lawsuit, alleges that the government knew about the contamination but allowed residents to continue using the water. She claims that her clients have experienced a wide range of long-term symptoms, including Parkinson's and seizures.

The case has become personal for Baehr, who left her job at the Department of Justice to represent families affected by the leak after her own family experienced toxic exposure.

Thousands Suffer Health Problems from Fuel Leak on US Navy Base: Lawsuit Demands $1.25 Million Damages

Jaclyn Hughes, the namesake plaintiff in the lawsuit, gave birth to her son Maverick just days before the leak. Maverick soon developed a red rash all over his body, while Hughes herself experienced a burning throat after drinking the water. Her husband, a deployed U.S. Navy service member, missed Maverick's birth and returned home to find their water contaminated with gasoline.

Their daughter Kyla, who was just four years old at the time, went into a psychosis. "She went from being a happy, go-lucky four-year-old to not being able to leave our house for months," said Hughes.

Thousands Suffer Health Problems from Fuel Leak on US Navy Base: Lawsuit Demands $1.25 Million Damages

Another plaintiff, Aurora Briggs, was 22 years old at the time of the leak and living on land owned by the Navy. She has since developed a range of symptoms, including memory loss and brain fog.

Despite the Navy closing the Red Hill facility in March 2022 and transporting the fuel to other locations, Baehr claims that the jet fuel residue remains in the pipes and is causing ongoing health problems. Residents are still reporting a sheen in the water and an oily smell.

Thousands Suffer Health Problems from Fuel Leak on US Navy Base: Lawsuit Demands $1.25 Million Damages

The Navy, however, claims that it has implemented a rigorous sampling program and that the water now meets state and federal safety standards. The Hawaii Department of Health has also confirmed that no petroleum or jet fuel compounds were detected in recent water samples.

Nevertheless, experts have raised concerns about the long-term effects of jet fuel exposure, which can include neurotoxicity, reproductive problems, and cancer. The plaintiffs argue that the Navy has been negligent in its handling of the leak and is responsible for the health problems they have suffered.

The lawsuit is ongoing, with the thousands of families affected by the Red Hill fuel leak seeking accountability and compensation for the injuries they have endured.