Counterterrorism Attorney Chris Paulos says the Department of Justice's actions have exacerbated victims' trauma.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 5, 2024) Levin Papantonio (LP), a leading national law firm, announces the filing of an intervenor complaint on behalf of victims of state-sponsored terrorism against the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) and Attorney General Merrick Garland (Case 1:24-cv-01865-APM). The complaint alleges the unlawful withholding of funds from the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund (the “Victims Fund”).
The intervenor-plaintiffs are victims or family members of victims who suffered grievous injuries or death due to acts of state-sponsored terrorism. The complaint asserts that the DOJ has failed to direct the deposit of qualifying funds, specifically from the settlement of the case USA v. British American Tobacco p.l.c. et al., into the Victims Fund as mandated by law.
The DOJ's failure to comply with the statutory requirements of the Victims Act is a grave injustice to the victims of terrorism and their families.
CHRIS PAULOS, ATTORNEY AND HEAD OF COUNTERTERRORISM DIVISION, LEVIN PAPANTONIO
About the Victims Fund
In 1996, Congress amended the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA) to allow U.S. victims of state-sponsored terrorism to seek justice against terrorist states by suing in U.S. courts. However, collecting on these judgments proved difficult until the enactment of the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Act in 2015, which established the Victims Fund to compensate eligible victims. Despite this, the DOJ has made only four distributions from the Victims Fund in nine years, with many victims, including the intervenor-plaintiffs, receiving little to no compensation.
The complaint highlights the DOJ’s refusal to direct the deposit of funds obtained from the BAT Litigation into the Victims Fund, a clear violation of the Victims Act, which requires that all proceeds from qualifying cases be deposited into the Fund. These funds are essential for providing justice and recompense to victims of state-sponsored terrorism.
Chris Paulos, attorney at Levin Papantonio and head of the firm’s counterterrorism division, commented on the filing:
"The DOJ's failure to comply with the statutory requirements of the Victims Act is a grave injustice to the victims of terrorism and their families. These individuals have already endured unimaginable suffering, and the withholding of these funds further compounds their trauma.
"We are committed to holding the DOJ accountable and ensuring that our clients receive the compensation they are rightfully owed," Paulos added.
The complaint seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to compel the DOJ to deposit the withheld funds into the Victims Fund, thereby fulfilling its statutory obligations and providing much-needed financial support to the victims and their families.
About Levin Papantonio
The Levin Papantonio law firm has been representing injured people across the globe since 1955. The firm has gained national recognition as one of the most successful personal injury firms in the world and has been featured on CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, and Fox, as well as in Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Time Magazine, Forbes, and National Law Journal.
Levin Papantonio attorneys handle lawsuits throughout the country involving veterans claims, prescription drugs, medical devices, medical malpractice, car accidents, and business litigation. Levin Papantonio has earned over $40 billion in jury verdicts and settlements, litigating against some of the largest corporations in the world.
For questions about the firm’s legal practice, call 1 (800) 277-1193.
