Anyone who lived or worked at the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, may have consumed toxic water.
Public health organizations found the water at Camp Lejeune contained hazardous chemicals, like benzene and trichloroethylene, which increases the risk of getting cancer. The estimates are that more than one million people may have drunk or been exposed to the contaminated water, either by drinking it, bathing with it, or using it for cooking or cleaning.
The U.S. government has allocated more than $21 billion for Camp Lejeune victims and thousands of lawsuits have already been filed.
If you believe you or a loved one may be affected, you have a limited time to act. The deadline for Camp Lejeune claims is August 10, 2024.
Contact Pfeifer, Morgan & Stesiak, defective product lawyers, today to explore your legal options in a free initial consultation. We are committed to seeking justice and the full compensation you need.
No upfront costs or legal obligations. Call today to learn more: (844) 678-1800.
Who May Be Able To File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
Individuals who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, may be eligible to file a lawsuit. This includes military personnel, their families and civilian employees who have suffered health issues caused by the toxic water.
Some people who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune have passed away because of the injuries caused by contaminated water. For example, you may have a spouse, grandparent or child who suffered fatal injuries from Camp Lejeune water.
If one of your loved ones died because of this toxic water, you may be able to file legal action on their behalf. Contact Pfeifer, Morgan and Stesiak to discuss potential options. If you are the victim (injured plaintiff), you will need to provide your specific diagnosis along with the name of your treating doctor and/or the VA facility where you received treatment. You will also need to indicate where and when you lived or worked at Camp Lejeune.
Where Did You Live or Work at Camp Lejeune?
Victims may have been exposed in residential areas, schools, workplaces or recreational areas. These are some of the locations where people were likely exposed to toxic water:
- Barracks
- Berkeley Manor
- Camp Geiger
- Courthouse Bay
- Hadnot Point
- Holcomb Boulevard
- Hospital Point
- Knox Trailer Park
- Mainside Barracks
- Midway Park
- Montford Point/Camp Johnson
- New River
- Onslow Beach
- Paradise Point
- Rifle Range
- Watkins Village
- And other locations
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry discovered two volatile organic compounds and other toxic substances at two water treatment plants that serviced Camp Lejeune. These water treatment plants include Tarawa Terrace Treatment Plant and Hadnot Point Treatment Plant.
How Victims May Have Been Exposed to Toxic Water
You or your loved one could have consumed the contaminated water, either by drinking it or using it for cooking. You may have also bathed in it or used it for cleaning. It is likely that victims were exposed to toxic chemicals in a combination of ways.
The longer you were exposed, the more likely it is you may develop health issues. The duration of exposure could also affect the severity of your medical issues.
What Medical Conditions May Qualify for Compensation?
Chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE) and benzene are toxic to human beings, and there is significant evidence linking exposure to these chemicals to an increased risk of many forms of cancer and other serious illnesses.
These are some of the forms of cancer that have been linked to the water at Camp Lejeune:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Appendix cancer
- Brain cancer
- Bile duct cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
- Intestinal cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Sinus cancer
- Soft-tissue sarcoma
- Spinal cancer
- Thyroid cancer
The toxic chemicals in Camp Lejeune water have also been linked to fertility issues, pregnancy issues and birth defects, including:
- Female infertility
- Miscarriage
- Conjoined twins
- Congenital malformation
- Cognitive disability
Some of the other illnesses linked to Camp Lejeune water include:
- Aplastic anemia
- Hepatic steatosis, also known as fatty liver disease
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Parkinson’s disease
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
- Autoimmune disease
What Is the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Deadline?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act set a deadline of August 10, 2024, to file a claim. Once the deadline passes, you or your loved ones will be unable to seek compensation for toxic water exposure. If you think you may have a case, it is vital that you contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
Could a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Affect My VA Benefits?
You can file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit and continue to receive veteran’s benefits. A Camp Lejeune lawsuit should not affect your eligibility for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Any compensation you receive from your lawsuit will not affect the value of your monthly benefits either. That said, it is important to discuss any concerns about this issue or other issues about a Camp Lejeune lawsuit with a knowledgeable attorney.
What Compensation May Be Available for the Camp Lejeune Victims?
Victims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination may be eligible for compensation to cover:
- Medical costs, both past and future
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of society and companionship
- Loss of earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Emotional distress
- Disability
The compensation in each case will vary based on the severity of the health condition and the ways it impacts the victim’s life.
Tiered Settlement System Created by the Navy and Department of Justice
In the fall of 2023, the U.S. Navy and Department of Justice unveiled a tiered compensation system for Camp Lejeune victims. This system is meant to facilitate speedy resolutions to Camp Lejeune toxic water lawsuits.
Claims that qualify for this system are worth between $100,000 and $500,000. The payouts will be based on the seriousness of the claimant’s condition and how long they were exposed to toxic water.
The system has two tiers. The first tier is for conditions such as kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and bladder cancer. Compensation for these illnesses is structured this way:
- $150,000 for exposure between 30 and 364 days
- $300,000 for one to five years on base
- $450,000 for those stationed for over five years
The second tier is for the following illnesses: multiple myeloma, Parkinson’s disease, kidney disease (or end-stage renal disease), systemic sclerosis and systemic scleroderma. The payouts are as follows:
- $100,000 for short-term exposure (30 to 364 days)
- $250,000 for a one to five-year exposure
- $400,000 for over five years of exposure.
Evidence for a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
If you pursue a lawsuit, your lawyer must provide evidence to establish:
- You lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987
- You were diagnosed with an illness linked to the toxic chemicals in Camp Lejeune water
- Your injury resulted in damages
- There is a causal relationship, or sufficient evidence to conclude a causal relationship is as likely as not, between Camp Lejeune water and your health issues
There are various pieces of evidence that can be used to prove each of these items, such as:
- Military service records showing when you were stationed at the base
- Documents that show you lived at Camp Lejeune
- Employment records to prove you did work on the base, including records from employers and/or paystubs or tax returns
- Medical records to establish your specific diagnosis
- Medical records establishing your treatment and likely cause of your illness
- Records of disability benefits paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs
- And more
An experienced lawyer can help you gather all the documentation you will need to build a strong case. However, gathering evidence takes time, so it is vital that you contact a lawyer right away so he or she can start working on your case. Time is running short, as the deadline is August 10, 2024.
What Toxic Chemicals Were Discovered in Camp Lejeune Water?
The water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with several hazardous chemicals, including trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, vinyl chloride, trans-1 and 2 dichloroethylene. These substances are known carcinogens and have been linked to a variety of health issues.
The main chemical discovered at Tarawa Terrace was PCE. This chemical settled into the groundwater, broke down and turned into vinyl chloride and TCE, which was the main toxin discovered at Hadnot Point. TCE came from underground storage tanks and waste disposal sites that sprung leaks.
These chemicals have numerous uses, including metal cleaning and dry cleaning. These chemicals are also used in the production of:
- Plastics
- Synthetic fibers
- Dye
- Lubricant
- Pesticides
- Rubber
- Packing material
- Pipes
- Detergents
- Pipe coatings
While the chemicals found in Camp Lejeune water have their uses, they are not safe for human consumption. For example, TCE has been strongly linked to cardiac issues, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and kidney cancer.
When Was Camp Lejeune’s Toxic Water Discovered?
The contaminated wells at Camp Lejeune were shut down in the mid-1980s. However, there may be evidence that Marines knew about contaminated water as far back as 1980. This was several years before water regulations were implemented.
It was not until 1989 that the Environmental Protection Agency added Camp Lejeune to its priority list of sites that released hazardous chemicals. In 1990, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) stated that the Tarawa Terrace drinking water system was contaminated with PCE. The agency also revealed the groundwater had been contaminated before the well was removed.
The agency stated in 2017 that the drinking water at Camp Lejeune put people at risk for several types of cancer.
Contact Us To Discuss Your Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
While lawsuits cannot change what happened at Camp Lejeune, they can provide victims with the compensation they need for medical care and other damages. However, there is limited time to take legal action – claims will not be accepted after August 10, 2024.
There are many factors to consider when it comes to your eligibility to file a case. You can benefit greatly from talking to an experienced lawyer from Pfeifer, Morgan and Stesiak about your situation. The initial consultation is free.
Call us to find out how we may be able to help you or your loved one: (844) 678-1800.
