As Camp Lejeune toxic water claims continue to soar, another piece of water contamination litigation has emerged. Over a hundred individuals have joined lawsuits against the U.S. government after jet fuel tainted the drinking water supply of military families near Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Plaintiffs allege that adults and children have developed numerous ailments caused by thousands of gallons of jet fuel from a Navy fuel storage facility that contaminated the drinking water. Have you or a loved one suffered an illness due to jet fuel-tainted drinking water from the Navy’s Red Hill facility? The experienced lawyers at The Lake Law Firm can help you file a Red Hill water contamination lawsuit to help you recover compensation for your injuries.
Our law firm is currently accepting lawsuits on behalf of individuals harmed by the Red Hill spill. Lawsuits allege the government’s inadequate response to the jet fuel leakage left plaintiffs with life-long adverse health effects.
The Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, situated near the Pearl Harbor Memorial in Honolulu, Hawaii, supplies fuel for U.S. Navy and military operations in the Pacific. Twenty steel-lined tanks that can store up to 250 million gallons of fuel are located at the facility and enclosed in concrete. These tanks play a critical role in sending fuel to ships and the nearby Hickam Air Field. Three 2.5-mile-long pipelines deliver petroleum to fueling piers at Pearl Harbor. However, the water supplies for neighboring communities are near these fuel tanks.
Multiple incidents of fuel release have occurred at the fuel storage center. The first spill happened in January 2014. The Navy was refilling a storage tank as part of normal repair and maintenance when up to 27,000 gallons of JP-8 jet fuel escaped from the tank. The Navy informed the Hawaii Department of Health and monitored drinking well samples.
Following the 2014 spillage, in May 2021, a pressure surge event released over 19,000 gallons of JP-5 jet fuel during a fuel movement procedure. The jet fuel traveled from the tunnel floor into containment trenches and a fire suppression fluid sump. From there, the sump forced the fuel into a drain pipeline. On November 20, 2021, the drain pipeline ruptured, thus contaminating the Red Hill drinking water system shaft. This spillage exposed hundreds of families living on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), the Army’s Aliamanu Military Reservation, and Red Hill Housing to toxic water. Individuals soon reported to the Navy that the water smelled like gasoline and displayed an odd sheen.
According to the EPA, the incident impacted over 93,000 U.S. Navy water system users. Many relocated to temporary housing during the drinking water crisis because of unsafe conditions. The water supplied to residents contained alarming levels of petroleum hydrocarbons and vapors within the water. Reported injuries include:
In addition to physical suffering, victims claim to have endured financial and emotional damage. The water contamination forced families to uproot their lives and move away to habitable areas. Sadly, the polluted drinking water not only compromised the health of adults and children but also put families in dire financial straits.
The Lake Law Firm is here to support you if you were exposed to contaminated water from the Pearl Harbor-Hickam drinking water system. Everyone should have access to clean water as it is a basic necessity and human right. Our lawyers want to advocate and fight for you in a Red Hill water contamination lawsuit.
Individuals injured by the jet fuel-polluted water in Hawaii have filed lawsuits against the U.S. government. In August of 2022, four families filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii. The families allege that the United States of America and its agencies contaminated the water supply with jet fuel at Red Hill. Furthermore, plaintiffs argue the government failed to address the water contamination appropriately or provide treatment. The lawsuit cites The Federal Tort Claims Act, which allows those harmed by the negligence of the United States to file for compensation.
In November 2022, over 100 plaintiffs joined the lawsuit filed only a few months prior. Lawsuits allege the Navy mishandled the spills in May and November. The Navy assured the public the water was safe to use only a day after the disastrous leakage. Finally, on December 2, the Navy informed the public it detected fuel in the water, despite already receiving dozens of complaints days prior. Attorneys expect more Red Hill water contamination cases to follow suit since the extensive spill affected tens of thousands of individuals.
In January and February 2022, the Hawaii Department of Health collaborated with the CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Together, these agencies surveyed residents to learn more about the effects of the contamination in the Navy’s Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam drinking water system. Of the 2,289 participants, 87% reported one new or worsening symptom. Meanwhile, a shocking 93% switched to an alternative water source because of the jeopardized water system.
The health of individuals in the communities surrounding the Red Hill facility continues to decline. If you or a loved one experienced injuries following the Red Hill jet fuel spill, you should partner with a law firm that understands what a polluted water claim entails. Lawyers from The Lake Law Firm have substantial experience handling toxic water lawsuits, such as those for Camp Lejeune and PFAS water contamination. Working with a lawyer who recognizes the complexities and procedures of this type of litigation provides your claim with a better chance of success.
If the Red Hill water contamination incident sickened you or a loved one, you may be able to recover compensation for any or all of the following:
Red Hill water contamination lawsuits state that operator errors and the Navy’s mismanagement of the fuel tank system have caused irreparable harm to families. Unsuspecting individuals placed their trust in the government to practice care and transparency with the public. Instead, plaintiffs argue the Navy disregarded the well-being of the exposed residents. Reach out today to learn more about how one of our Red Hill water contamination lawyers can guide you through your potential claim.
The Lake Law Firm was founded by Edward J. Lake, Esq., a personal injury lawyer for over 25 years. Our dedicated team of attorneys is committed to seeking justice on behalf of those who have suffered injury or death due to the negligence of others. Our experienced attorneys handle many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, medical devices, and other defective products. The lawyers in our firm have helped collect millions of dollars for their clients. The Lake Law Firm will advocate for you and your rights. Please contact us for a free confidential case evaluation at (888) 525-3529 or submit an inquiry on this page.
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