Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit: Everything You Need To Know | Updated October 2022
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Current Updates
The latest on the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit and what you need to know if you or a loved one were exposed to the contaminated water.
Latest on the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit
Lawsuit Informer will continue to publish updates and development on the progress of the current and future Camp Lejeune Water Contamination lawsuits filed across the United States.
October 2022
Unfortunately, more victims of the water contamination in Camp Lejeune have since passed. Claims for wrongful death on behalf of deceased Camp Lejeune victims are accepted under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. No matter how long ago the victim has passed, if a family member has died as a result of exposure to contaminated drinking water, you may still file a lawsuit. Get in touch with a lawyer right now to understand your legal options.
September 2022
The Camp Lejeune water contamination class action lawsuit was filed against the United States government for damages caused by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune Military Base. Donald Stringfellow filed the lawsuit on behalf of the individuals who lived at the base for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and developed cancer or suffered from injuries or other health problems after being exposed to the toxins that contaminated the water.
However, in September of 2022, the federal judge overseeing the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina ended the class action bid. It was denied prior to any pretrial considerations may be addressed. This means that individual lawsuits will now have to be filed in order to seek injury compensation.
August 2022
The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act was signed into law by President Biden on August 10, 2022 (PACT Act). The PACT Act has been made into new legislation, ensuring that military veterans, personnel, government contractors, and their families have access to essential healthcare for people who have been exposed to dangerous chemicals found in the drinking water supply at Camp Lejeune.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an illness that may be related to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune, it is important to get legal help right away. Contact an attorney who specializes in Camp Lejeune lawsuits for a free consultation.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit
Why People Are Filing Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits?
People are filing Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits and are seeking compensation for the damages suffered by those affected by the toxic water at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for years. This includes service members and their families who lived and worked at the base in North Carolina. The water was contaminated with toxic chemicals, which caused many people who lived and worked at the base who developed various forms of cancer and other serious illnesses or health problems.
The water contamination with substantial quantities of toxins was linked to the water being supplied to the base, which exposed the people living and working there on a regular basis to these harmful chemicals.
The Camp Lejeune water contamination incident is considered one of the worst environmental disasters in United States history. The victims of this disaster deserve to receive justice, and they should not have to fight for years just to get the medical care they need.
The Meldofsky Law Firm is currently helping individuals and families with their Camp Lejeune water contamination injury claims. Those affected must receive the compensation they deserve for the damages they have suffered.
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Water Contamination: Where It All Began
Where Is Camp Lejeune Located?
Camp Lejeune is a United States Marine Corps base located in North Carolina and it was established in 1942. For decades, the camp was home to thousands of service members and their families.
Towards the end of 1942, the camp was renamed Marine Barracks Camp Lejeune to honor Major General John A. Lejeune, the 13th Commandant and Commanding General of the 2nd Army Division who served during World War I. The accomplishments of Marines training or based at Camp Lejeune demonstrated the Corps’ significance to the Corps during WWII. The name was then changed to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in 1944.
Contaminated Water Identified at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
For decades, the base was the site of widespread water contamination. Camp Lejeune was contaminated with toxic substances like trichloroethylene and benzene. This resulted in thousands of service members and their families developing various forms of cancer and other serious illnesses and health problems. Some even resulted in death.
The toxic chemicals present in the contaminated water came from multiple sources including waste disposal sites and underground storage tanks.
The contamination has been linked to the toxic chemical found in the water that was being supplied to the Marine Corps base between the 1950s to 1980s. Unfortunately, this exposed the people living and working there on a regular basis.
When Did the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Discover?
In 1982, Specific volatile organic compounds or VOCs were discovered by the Marine Corps in three water treatment facilities and distribution systems on the station. There are a total of 8 facilities supplying the entire camp.
Which Water Distribution Plants Supplied Contaminated Water To Camp?
Three of the eight water-distribution plants were the source of the high toxic contamination. These are Hadnot Point, Holcomb Boulevard, and Tarawa Terrace. Hundreds of thousands of people were exposed to the contamination at Camp Lejeune. With the three distribution plants supplying finished water to the family housing units, many of them have suffered from serious health problems as a result.
In 2012, the government finally acknowledged that the water had been contaminated and provided medical care for some of the victims, but many people have still not received any help.
What Contaminants Were In The Water At Camp Lejeune?
The water supply was contaminated with various toxic and life-threatening chemicals, including trichloroethylene and benzene, which can cause a range of health problems, including cancer.
Camp Lejeune Drinking Water: Toxic TCE Levels Were Alarmingly High
Careful examination of the finished water supplied to the entire marine corps showed that trichloroethylene or TCE was the primary water contaminant. At one point in May 1982, 1,400 parts per billion (ppb) was the highest TCE level detected in Camp Lejeune’s drinking water. The current TCE safety limit should not exceed 5 ppb for drinking water.
Cancer-Causing Chemicals In Camp Lejeune Drinking Water Supply
Aside from TCE, other contaminants were also detected: PCE (perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene), DCE, vinyl chloride, and even benzene. These hazardous contaminants were in the water used for drinking, cooking, and bathing.
Both TCE and PCE can enter and affect the body in different ways. It can be ingested by food or water consumption, absorbed through the skin, and even through inhaled vapor.
The Most Harm Was Caused By PCE
The drinking water supplied by the Tarawa Terrace well system was contaminated with PCE at a level 43 times higher than what is considered safe. Scientists have since directly connected the PCE coming from the dry cleaners to a variety of serious health problems and symptoms developed by Camp Lejeune residents.
Tetrachloroethylene (PCE Or PERC)
When someone is exposed, PCE can damage the central nervous system and other organs after it was absorbed into the bloodstream. Exposure was reportedly linked to causing non-Hodgkin lymphoma, end-stage renal disease, and bladder cancer.
Damages Suffered By Families Living With Camp Lejeune Toxic Water
Losses, no matter how small or significant, a plaintiff incurs because of a liable party’s negligence, are considered damages that should be compensated for. People who have been harmed by the water contamination may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water lawsuit. In order to do so, it is important to understand the damages that resulted from this negligence. The damages can be both severe and long-term, and it is crucial to calculate their value to receive proper compensation.
Damages That Can Be Recovered Under The Camp Lejeune Justice Act
Various types of damages can be incurred as a result of water contamination injuries. These damages can include both economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those that are easily measurable like credit card bills, rent payment receipts, calculation of lost wages, etc. Non-economic damages are more intangible losses such as pain and suffering. Compensation for water contamination injuries can involve not only past and immediate expenses but also future costs.
What Are The Health Issues Linked To Contaminated Drinking Water Exposure In Camp Lejeune?
Medical evidence shows that these diseases are considered the main health issues associated with toxic chemicals PCE and TCE exposure in Camp Lejeune including:
– Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
– Bladder Cancer
– Kidney Cancer
– Breast Cancer
– Cervical Cancer
– Lung Cancer
– Liver Cancer
– Esophageal Cancer
– Adult Leukemia
– Multiple Myeloma
– Aplastic Anemia and other forms of myelodysplastic syndromes
– Renal Toxicity
– Hepatic Steatosis
– Scleroderma
– Fertility Problems In Women (and birth effects)
– Neurobehavioral Effects (link Parkinson’s Disease, ALS)
Other known medical conditions linked to exposure to the contaminants in the drinking water in Camp Lejeune include stomach cancer, ovarian cancer, birth abnormalities, and miscarriage.
Water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was Contaminated With Benzene, A Known Carcinogen
Benzene is a liquid chemical that is colorless, flammable, and has a sweet odor. It is commonly used for industrial purposes. Benzene is a Group A known human carcinogen.
The drinking water, positive with high levels of benzene (as high as 720 μg/L) coming from the Hadnot Point treatment plant supply well was suspected to be the source.
Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune Lawsuit (FAQs)
Is The Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Legitimate?
Yes. The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits are legitimate and the number of people filing for a claim is increasing.
Who Can File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one has sustained an injury or illness caused by exposure to Camp Lejeune toxic water, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the United States federal government and recover compensation for damages.
Those who can demonstrate that they spent at least 30 days cumulative residing or working in Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 will be considered eligible under the CLJA’s initial qualifying requirements.
This includes Camp Lejeune veterans and service members including their families, military personnel, and even civilian contractors who lived and worked in the base in North Carolina at the time of the contamination.
They will then have the option to file a tort lawsuit against the U.S. federal government, claiming that their exposure to Camp Lejeune’s toxic water caused or contributed to the illness or injuries they sustained.
Lawsuits that are not linked with contaminated water exposure or injuries not related while working or living in the camp will not be accepted.
Can Family Members File A Lawsuit On Behalf Of A Deceased Loved One?
Family members of those that have since died from their illness because of their exposure to toxic water in Camp Lejeune may also file for compensation to recover costs from lost income contribution and support and funeral expenses.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an illness that may be related to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune, it is important to get legal help right away.
People who sustained non-preemptive injuries may still file for legal action. If you have any questions about whether you qualify to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit, please contact us for a free consultation.
What Are The Criteria For Filing Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?
You must fulfill certain conditions to be eligible to file a claim for compensation against the U.S. Federal Government for its negligence in permitting years of water contamination at the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps facility.
Under the new Camp Lejeune Justice Act, you must have served, worked, lived, or been in utero (prenatal exposure) to qualify.
– For at least 30 days in total.
– From August 31st, 1953, to December 31st, 1987
– And have developed one of the diseases or illnesses as defined by the CDC.
How Can I Prove I Have Been Exposed To Camp Lejeune's Toxic Water Before?
To prove that you have been exposed to the toxic water supplied to Camp Lejeune , you need to provide supporting documents showing that you have served or lived in the military camp for at least 30 days from 1953 to 1987. This may include your active duty military records, assigned to the national Guards, or reserves. You would also need to provide medical records related to your illness.
How Can I Prove I Developed Cancer Or Another Illness After I Have Been Exposed To Camp Lejeune's Toxic Water?
When establishing eligibility, victims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination who file claims under the CLJA must gather pertinent medical records. This includes receiving an official diagnosis of one or more of the diseases of presumptive conditions list linked to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water supply.
The new law also applies to in utero cases. For children whose mothers drank Camp Lejeune’s contaminated drinking water were four times more likely to be born with a birth defect, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
How Much Is The Payout For A Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?
The average payout varies. For the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit, it will depend on the specific facts and circumstances presented by each case.
Lawsuit Informer provides a 100% FREE CASE STUDY on Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. Contact us to know more about the current Camp Lejeune lawsuits being filed or if you would like to talk about your legal options.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination: First Lawsuit Filed
The first Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit has been filed only hours after President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act and Camp Lejeune Justice Act into law.
The first lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for Eastern District of North Carolina on behalf of Timothy Pugh. He was a service member who lived and served from 1984 to 1986 at Camp Lejeune. In 2012 Pugh was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and his lawyers believe that his critical illness is a result of his exposure to the toxic water contamination. They are seeking compensation for damages, including medical expenses and lost income.
This is just the beginning of what is likely to be a long and costly legal battle. More than one million people may have been exposed to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune, and many of them are now suffering from serious illnesses like cancer, leukemia, and pregnancies resulting in miscarriages or a child born with birth defects.
Camp Lejeune Settlement Payouts
If a Camp Lejeune settlement fails to reach an agreement, then litigation may be necessary and your case may go to court. A judge together with the jury will hear your case and decide on the compensation that you will receive.
Camp Lejeune settlement amounts can range between $100,000.00 to $250,000.00. But do note that the compensation, in any amount, cannot be guaranteed.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Administrative JAG Claims
Only a month after the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was signed, allowing veterans to seek compensation legally, claims from around 5,000 water contamination victims have already been filed with the Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps over illnesses caused by contaminated drinking water in Marine Corps base located in North Carolina.
Before a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is accepted and may be filed against the U.S. federal government, administrative claims were filed to the Department of the Navy’s JAG Corps in Norfolk, Virginia.
More information on filing Camp Lejeune cases and other guidelines are available in the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General website.
$6.7 Billion Allotted To Camp Lejeune Settlements
Prior to the bill’s passage, the Congressional Budget Office predicted that compensating people injured at Camp Lejeune would cost $7 billion, however numerous experienced attorneys expect a far higher figure.
Filing A Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Will Not Affect VA Disability Benefits
According to JAG or the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, making a claim will not affect the Veterans Administration disability health care benefits that many victims from Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune drinking water contamination incident are already receiving.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act
CLJA was introduced in March 2021 by Matt Cartwright, the U.S. Representative of Pennsylvania. The CLJA bill allows members of United States Marine Corps veterans, their families, and all those who have lived or worked in the camp to sue and seek compensation against the US federal government.
What Does The Camp Lejeune Justice Act Mean For The Victims?
The CLJA (Camp Lejeune Justice Act) now permits wrongful death claims on behalf of deceased Camp Lejeune victims. If you are a family of a loved one who passed away due to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune, it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible – no matter how long ago the victim has passed.
Many lawmakers hope the Camp Lejeune Justice Act can finally offer victims and surviving spouses justice for their disability.
The PACT Act
The PACT Act is a new law signed by President Biden in September 2022 that expands eligibility to veterans who were exposed to burn pits and other toxic chemicals exposure or contamination. This includes VA health care such as health screenings, lab tests, medical treatments, and other health benefits.
Additionally, the PACT Act codifies particular cancers and medical conditions so veterans exposed to the contaminated water in Camp Lejeune can receive these benefits without the burden of proof.
The PACT Act was named after Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson. He was an outstanding member of the Ohio National Guard. He died in 2020 due to lung cancer. Sergeant Robinson was exposed to toxic chemicals from burning trash pits during his deployment in Iraq in 2006 to 2007.
The PACT Act And The Camp Lejeune Justice Act Were Signed Into Law
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act forms part of the larger $300 billion Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. This is the most comprehensive toxic chemicals exposure legislation enacted for U.S. military veterans and their families.
Veterans, military personnel, civilian contractors, and their families are eligible to receive compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which is incorporated into the PACT Act, for harms and losses resulting from exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. Individuals who were exposed to the contamination for at least thirty (30) days are eligible for compensation.
Get Help And File A Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit
How Can A Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Lawyer Help With My Claim?
If you or a loved one was exposed to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune and have since developed cancer or another illness, you may be eligible to file water contamination claims. Contact a lawyer to learn more.
A Camp Lejeune lawyer who is an expert in water contamination lawsuits can help you in proving that your injuries or the loss of a loved one were directly linked to exposure to hazardous substances in Camp Lejeune’s water supply. It can be challenging to demonstrate that your illness is directly linked to a specific incident rather than being related to other past health concerns.
Schedule a 100% NO OBLIGATION consultation. Meldofsky Law Firm is currently handling Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits.
