United States Pays Approximately $17M Settlement for Nearly 630 Plaintiffs in Red Hill Jet Fuel Spills

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Press Release
On June 22, the Department of Justice, Civil Division, issued payments to 629 Plaintiffs in Feindt v. United States and Hughes v. United States who brought claims against the United States under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) as a result of the 2021 jet fuel spills at the Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility, located at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam (2021 Red Hill Spills). Settlements totaling approximately $17 million were approved by the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii on May 19.
“This Justice Department is proud to announce the efficient resolution of claims relating to the Red Hill jet fuel spills that harmed American servicemembers and their families,” said Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward. “These latest settlements prove our commitment to ensuring justice for our Nation’s heroes who repeatedly risk greatly to safeguard our freedoms.”
“These settlements are the latest example of the United States’ good faith efforts to resolve the over 6,500 FTCA claims arising from the 2021 Red Hill Spills,” said Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “The settlements represent a fair and just resolution of claims and we look forward to paying additional claims once they are approved.”
In 2024, following extensive discovery, the claims of 17 Plaintiffs went to trial. Based on the results of that trial, the Civil Division has reached settlements with approximately 3,600 civilian Plaintiffs, including the 629 Plaintiffs who recently received payment.
The Civil Division continues to process settlements and has filed several additional motions for settlement approval, which are pending with the Court for approval or with the Treasury Department for payment. The Civil Division is prepared to file additional motions for settlement approval as soon as Plaintiffs provide sufficient proof of eligibility and signed releases. Currently, there are more than 300 Feindt and Hughes Plaintiffs that have met all settlement criteria and need only provide a signed release.
Additionally, the Civil Division is waiting on sufficient proof of settlement eligibility from approximately 400 Feindt and Hughes Plaintiffs who accepted the United States’ settlement offer as long ago as October 2025. Once these documents are provided, the Civil Division will file additional motions for settlement approval and, once they are approved, pay additional claims.