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Camp Lejeune Lawsuits

Years after consuming contaminated drinking water while stationed at Camp Lejeune, former servicemembers and other individualsare now struggling with serious, life-threatening health issues. The range of illnesses linked to the contaminated Camp Lejeune drinking water are long and terrifying.

Multiple Studies Confirm Significant Health Risks Associated with the Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune

Since the discovery of the water contamination at Camp Lejeune several scientific studies have been done to assess the health impact that the water contamination had on Camp Lejeune residents and employees. Virtually all of the scientific studies arrive at effectively the same conclusion – consumption of the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune significantly increased the risk of deathsince the chemicals in the water are linked to the development of various cancers and other chronic diseases.

Injuries and Ailments Linked to the Contaminated Camp Lejeune Drinking Water

Below is a brief list of just some of the injuries and ailments that have been identified by former servicemembers who consumed the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune:

 

  • Bladder Cancer
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cardiac Defects
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Hepatic Steatosis
  • Kidney Cancer
  • Kidney Disease
  • Leukemia
  • Liver Cancer
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Rectal Cancer
  • Systemic Sclerosis/scleroderma
  • Miscarriage
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Renal Toxicity
  • Scleroderma

Cause of the Contamination

According to various assessments and studies of the water wells at Camp Lejeune, it appears an underground fuel tank likely developed a leak which allowed more than a million gallons of fuel to infiltrate the drinking water at the Camp.In addition, it is believed that the toxins emanating from a nearby dry-cleaningcompany, along with other chemicals used for military operations on the base, contributed to the water’s contamination and exacerbated the potential harms to individuals who consumed the water.

Types of Chemicals and Toxins Discovered in the Water

The United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) discoveredan array of toxic chemicals in the Camp’s drinking water. The identified chemicals included:

  • Benzene (a fuel component)
  • Tetrachloroethylene or Perchloroethylene (PCE) (which is used in dry cleaning and as a degreaser)
  • Trichloroethylene (TCE)
  • Vinyl chloride
  • Volatile Organic Compounds

 

Experts have gone on record to say the water at Camp Lejeune was some of the most highly contaminated drinking water ever discovered in the United States.

Large Number of Servicemembers Exposed to Toxic Chemicals and Suffering the Consequences

Nearly one million people lived and worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987. While stationed at Camp Lejeune,people would routinely bath in and consume the contaminated water. The ATSDR study compared causes of death for thousands of Marines and personnel who were stationed at Camp Lejeune versus those servicemembers stationed at Camp Pendleton (where the water was not contaminated) during the exact sameperiod. The results were alarming. Servicemembers stationed at Camp Lejeune had significantly higher mortality rates for cancers of the cervix, esophagus, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, prostate, rectum, and soft tissue, as well as Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myeloma, and multiple sclerosis when compared to servicemembers who were stationed at Camp Pendleton.

You May Be Eligible to Pursue Financial Restitution for Your Harms and Losses

Marines, Seabees, and their family members, as well as civilians and government contractors who were stationed at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987 may be eligible to pursue financial restitution for any harms and losses associated with their exposure to the chemicals in the drinking water at the Camp.

Take Action Sooner Rather than Later

According to the language of thePromise to Address Comprehensive (“PACT”), claimants would have to file a civil lawsuit within two years after passage of the CLJA. Claimants who file a lawsuit under the CLJA would need to have sufficient evidence to prove the following:

  1. They were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 for 30 days or more; and
  2. They subsequently developed one of the cancer types or otherserious health conditions that have been linked to the contaminated water.

Successful claimants who can establish both requirements will be able to pursuefinancial restitution for their harms and losses, including past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and so forth.

Take Action Today by Contacting theChampions for The Injured Team to evaluate your Camp Lejeune cancer claim

If you or a family member was stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 for 30 days or more, consumed the water at the Camp, and subsequently developed one of the cancers or serious health conditions linked to the contaminated water, now is the time for action. Contact the Champions for The Injured team today to schedule a no-cost, confidential consultation.

Our legal team is comprised of seasoned personal injury attorneys with a national reputation for being aggressive and working tirelessly on behalf of their clients. The firm is currently handling claims on behalf of combat veterans who were injured by terrorist activity in Afghanistan and Iraqand in the 3M Combat Earplug litigation.

We are ready and able to help you pursue the financial restitution needed to properly compensate for your harms and losses. SL Chapman Lawyers offer compassion, expertise, and open communication to ensure that you feel confident about your case. representation. Contact our team of personal injury lawyers today at 800-851-5523 to schedule a free, confidential consultation, or fill out a quick contact form here.

 

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Frequently Asked Questions

Between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, toxic chemicals infiltrated the groundwater and water treatment plants that supplied drinking water to military service members stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The toxic chemicals came from multiple sources, including individuals and companies that engaged in illegal chemical dumping and disposal. You may be asking yourself, “were servicemembers informed about the contaminated water and potential risks to their health?” The answer is no. Military servicemembers, along with family members, visitors, and an array of other individuals, were left out of the proverbial loop and never alerted to the chemical-laden drinking water. To make matters worse, there is evidence to suggest that the federal government actively engaged in a cover up to keep the contaminated water supply a secret for more than three decades. As a result, military servicemembers and other third parties likely ingested, bathed and showered in, contaminated tap water. The toxicity of this contaminated water likely caused harm to numerous individuals. The extent of the harm and total number of victims is still being discovered to this day.
The water supply at Camp Lejeune became contaminated with a litany of chemicals, but there are four primary types of chemicals that have been identified by researchers and are known to cause significant health issues for humans. The four main chemicals identified in the Camp Lejeune water supply include:
  • Benzene
  • PCE (i.e., Perchloroethylene or Tetrachloroetehylene)
  • TCE (i.e., Trichloroethylene)
  • Vinyl chloride
The toxic chemicals that contaminated the water supply at Camp Lejeune have been linked to an array of different health issues and chronic diseases, including:
  • Aplastic Anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Birth Defects
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Brain Cancer
  • Breast Cancer
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Hepatic Steatosis (fatty liver)
  • Kidney Cancer
  • Leukemia (all types)
  • Liver Cancer
  • Miscarriage
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Neurobehavioral effects
  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Pancreatic Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Rectal Cancer
  • Renal Toxicity
Systemic Sclerosis/Scleroderma
The PACT Act, which stands for the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022, is a piece of federal legislation intended to provide a legal recourse for servicemembers and their families to pursue compensation for harms they’ve suffered as a result of being exposed to the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune. The PACT Act will also serve a statutory mechanism designed to hold the government accountable for the mismanagement and disregard for the health and safety of untold servicemembers who were never informed about the contaminated water supply, even after the government learned of the contamination.
To be eligible for compensation under the PACT Act, you and your family member must have been stationed or physically present at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 for 30 days or more, and suffered one of the aforementioned injuries.
No, you will not become ineligible for VA benefits if you file a claim under the PACT Act. In fact, the Act expressly states that any claim filed under the law will have absolutely zero effect or impact on an individual’s eligibility for disability benefits.
Yes, you will be eligible to file a claim to pursue compensatory damages under the PACT Act, even if you are currently the recipient of VA disability benefits or any other benefits. However, it is important to understand that if you are awarded damages under the provisions of the current version of the PACT Act (which may change before becoming law), that compensatory award would be offset by the VA disability payments you are already receiving.
Yes. now that the PACT Act has been signed into law a claim may be filed.
A claimwill need to be filed within two years of the denial of a claim against the federal government. Once a claim is filed, the federal government will have six months (i.e., 180 days) to admit or deny your claim. If your claim for damagesgets denied, you havetwo years to file a civil lawsuit.
No. The PACT Act enables individuals to file claims for compensatory damages, so there is no singular plaintiff or group of plaintiffs. Though, it is important to note that all lawsuitsfiled pursuant to the PACTAct will need to be filed in the federal court in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
You will not have to pay any fees out of pocket. Our law firm will only get paid when you get paid. Basically, this meansour law firm will advance the costs of building your case, which includes covering the expenses associated with investigating and litigating your case. If a settlement or verdict is rendered in your favor, our firm will receive a portion of the ultimate award.
Please remember that the legislation hasyet to be passed so the details may change, but if the law passes in its current form, a claimant will be able to pursue the following types of damages:
  • Past and future medical bills
  • Lost income
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Disability and disfigurement
If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 will be needed. For context, a DD214 is a certificate of release or discharge from active duty that is provided to servicemembers upon release or discharge from the military. The DD214is important because it provides proof of your military service and will likely reflect the length of service and places you served. If you are a Veteran or family member of a Veteran, a DD214 is likely the best proof of service at Camp Lejeune. If you need to obtain a copy of your DD214, submit a request to the Military Personnel Records Center or National Personnel Records Center. Service members can obtain free electronic copies of their military personnel file, including their DD214 through the VA and Department of Defense (DOD). Other documents may include orders and/or housing records showing that you lived at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. For civilians and family members, there is not one specific form that will prove that you were on base for at-least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. However, we will need documentation showing a legal dependent relationship to a service member who served at Camp Lejeune, such as a marriage license or birth certificate. We will also need medical records that show that you and/or your family member suffers[ed] from one of the aforementioned injuries. We will request copies of your medical records. However, if you have any medical record in your possession that proves your injury, then please provide us a copy.
The viability of a family member’s claim will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of that case. This is necessary because cases filed under the proposed law will need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
Az: 480.418.9100
MO: 314.387.5900
AZ: 480.418.9100
MO: 314.387.5900