; therefore Vieques needs assistance to build a facility to manage the vast health needs of its residents. (10) Every American has benefitted from the sacrifices of those Americans who have lived and are living on Vieques and it is our intent to acknowledge that sacrifice and to treat those Americans with the same respect and appreciation that other Americans enjoy. (11) In 2012, the residents of Vieques were denied the ability to address their needs in Court due to sovereign immunity, Sánchez v. United States, No. 3:09–cv–01260–DRD (D.P.R.). However, the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit referred the issue to Congress and urged it to address the humanitarian crisis. This bill attempts to satisfy that request such that Americans living on Vieques have a remedy for the suffering they have endured. 3. Settlement of claims against the United States for certain residents of the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico (a) In general An individual claimant who files a claim for compensation under this section with the Special Master, appointed pursuant to subsection (c), shall be awarded monetary compensation as described in subsection (b) if— (1) the Special Master determines that the claimant is or was a resident, the child of a resident, or an immediate heir (as determined by the laws of Puerto Rico) of a deceased claimant on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, during or after the United States Government used the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, for military readiness; (2) the claimant previously filed a lawsuit or an administrative claim, or files a claim not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act against the United States Government for personal injury, including illness or death arising from use by the United States Government of the island of Vieques for military readiness