Re: Robert Anderson, et al v. The United States of America 2:21-cv-09102-VAP-PD
Dear Senators Feinstein and Padilla,
We represent individuals and families whose lives have been devastated by our Nation’s failure to warn them of the dangers of exposure to hazardous materials and waste while they lived and/or worked on the former George Air Force Base. Unfortunately, these families are not alone. There are many more out there that have either succumbed to the exposure or simply remain unaware. Having served in our Armed Forces, on active duty and in the reserve, for over 30 years, I have an expectation that my family, while living on base, will be protected or at the very least not harmed by the actions or inactions of my service and the government of the United States. This is the same expectation that these families had when they lived on George Air Force Base. These families trusted that the Air Force and our Nation would do the right thing. Unfortunately, the Air Force and our Nation has betrayed their trust.
It is no secret that the Air Force, at the former George Air Force Base, failed to properly use and handle as well as dispose of hazardous materials and waste. A simple internet search can provide all the details anyone would need to understand the scope of the problem. We have attached a copy of the complaint filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California on behalf of the families devastated by this egregious breach of trust. These families only seek to be made whole after suffering the consequences of exposure at the former George Air Force Base. Unfortunately, these families are not alone. They are much like the many individuals and families who suffered from exposure to toxins in their water supply when they served and lived aboard Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. While it took decades, Congress has finally seen fit to give these families a fighting chance. As you know, the Senate is on the verge of passing and sending the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 to the President for his signature.
In addition to our complaint, we have attached the United States’ motion to dismiss our complaint. The United States is invoking the Discretionary Function Exception to shield itself from liability. Do the families who served and sacrificed for our Nation at the former George Air Force Base deserve less consideration than those that served and sacrificed at Camp Lejeune? Of course, they do not. We request that you take up the fight for the families impacted by the contamination at the former George Air Force Base. They are in desperate need of a “legislative fix.” The framework already exists in the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Respectfully, it is time for Congress to stop approaching this problem in piecemeal fashion and solve the problem for all families who are suffering the consequences of exposure to toxic contamination at military installations across our Nation.
I would be honored to work with your staff in drafting legislation or providing any insight that you deem appropriate. We look forward to your response and action on this issue of national significance. It is quite literally a matter of life and death.
Sincerely,
Gomez Trial Attorneys
Paul Staria, Esq.
Enclosures
CC: Congressman Jay Obernolte
Robert Anderson, et al v. The United States of America 2:21-cv-09102-VAP-PD
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