Camp Lejeune Contamination Settlement | Water Poisoning Claims

Seek Compensation for the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

At the United States Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, hundreds of thousands of hardworking service members, their families, and civilian workers were exposed to dangerous chemicals that cause cancer in their drinking water for decades. This included both those who lived on the base and those who worked there.

The contaminated water at Camp Lejeune was a contributing factor in the development of a large number of instances of cancer, Parkinson’s disease, reproductive issues, and other severe illnesses.

The families who have suffered because of the presence of toxicants in the water at Camp Lejeune have every right to feel outraged. If you or a loved one has suffered from a serious illness or lost a loved one as a result of the contamination of the water at Camp Lejeune, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act will finally allow you to seek the compensation you need and deserve for this grave injustice.

If you already receive VA medical benefits or other compensation for Camp Lejeune, you are still eligible to file a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

You may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit if:

Between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, you were exposed to contaminated drinking water for at least 30 days. This would include people who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days.
The contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may have caused you to develop cancer or other health issues. However, you may have claims even if you don’t currently have symptoms because you will now incur the cost of having heightened screening due to having a higher risk of illness and/or cancer.

Our attorneys have experience handling these types of cases and can help you navigate the legal process.

Contact us online or call our intake specialist at (415) 534-1911.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlement Amounts

The settlement amount for the Camp Lejeune water contamination case may range from over $1 million to around $25,000. The settlements from the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits are expected to reach more than $6.7 billion. If victims file a claim for damages caused by contaminated water, they may be entitled to large payments, potentially exceeding $1 million. Settlements for illnesses and injuries suffered at Camp Lejeune will be determined by the specifics of each case.

The average Camp Lejeune settlement amount will vary depending on the type of injury, cancer, illness, or medical condition. The length of time a victim spends at the Marine Base may impact the amount of compensation awarded. More compensation will be offered in settlements to people who have suffered life-threatening illnesses including cancer, adult leukemia, kidney cancer, liver cancer, or Parkinson’s disease.

Camp Lejeune Contamination

Water contamination at Camp Lejeune occurred over time and was caused by a variety of sources.

Defective or poorly maintained water treatment facilities
Contaminated runoff from adjacent chemical factories or other industrial operations
Underground storage tanks storing hazardous chemicals that are leaking
Contaminants found naturally in groundwater (such as radon or arsenic)

The principal cause was the presence of two uncontrolled chemicals in the base’s water supply, trichloroethene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE). These chemicals, which were employed in dry cleaning, were recognized carcinogens.

Furthermore, the water at Camp Lejeune was not filtered, which would have eliminated the contaminants. The water was also not tested for pollution until much later. As a result, many marines and their families were exposed to toxic water for years before action was taken.

There are numerous possible reasons of water contamination at Camp Lejeune. The actual cause of the contamination is still being investigated, and it is possible that it will never be known definitively. The most plausible explanation, however, is that a combination of these variables contributed to the problem.

Camp Lejeune Water Updates on Diseases

The U.S. Marine Corps discovered dangerous chemicals in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune during an inspection in 1982.

However, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), the contamination began in 1953 and continued to expose base workers, service members, and their families until 1987. The most contaminated wells were decommissioned in February 1985.

Some of the harmful toxins that were found in the drinking water included:

Benzene: This substance is used to make other chemicals that compose plastics, resins, nylon, and synthetic fibers.
Tetrachloroethylene (also known as perchloroethylene or PCE): PCE is used as a dry-cleaning solvent and to remove grease from metal parts.
Trichloroethylene (also known as TCE): TCE is used as an industrial solvent to remove grease from metal parts.
Vinyl Chloride (VC): Vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which is found in pipes, siding, and credit cards.

PCE is categorized as a chemical that is probably carcinogenic, while Benzene, TCE, and VC are all recognized as being agents that cause cancer. It has been shown that being exposed to these chemicals can raise the likelihood of developing birth abnormalities as well as other health issues.

Fifteen different illnesses and medical conditions have been linked to Camp Lejeune water contamination.

Bladder cancer
Breast cancer
Esophageal cancer
Female infertility
Hepatic steatosis
Kidney cancer
Leukemia
Lung cancer
Miscarriage
Multiple myeloma
Myelodysplastic syndromes
Neurobehavioral effects
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Renal toxicity
Scleroderma

Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuit

Our attorneys have experience handling these types of cases and can help you navigate the legal process. Contact us today for a free consultation.

You may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit if:

Between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, you were exposed to contaminated drinking water for at least 30 days. This would include people who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days.
The contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may have caused you to develop cancer or other health issues. However, you may have claims even if you don’t currently have symptoms because you will now incur the cost of having heightened screening due to having a higher risk of illness and/or cancer.

VA Compensation for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

If you already receive VA medical benefits or other compensation for Camp Lejeune, you are still eligible to file a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

If you served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, you may have had contact with contaminants in the drinking water. Scientific and medical evidence has shown an association between exposure to these contaminants during military service and development of certain diseases later on. If you have qualifying service at Camp Lejeune and a current diagnosis of one of the conditions listed below, you may be able to get disability benefits.

Am I eligible for disability benefits from VA?

You may be eligible for disability benefits if you meet all of these requirements.

Both of these must be true:

You served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 cumulative days from August 1953 through December 1987, and
You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge when you separated from the military

And you must have a diagnosis of one or more of these presumptive conditions:

Adult leukemia
Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
Bladder cancer
Kidney cancer
Liver cancer
Multiple myeloma
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Parkinson’s disease

Who’s Covered?

Veterans
Reservists
Guardsmen

Camp Lejeune Water Poisoning

The water poisoning at Camp Lejeune has been the focus of much attention since it was discovered in the 1980s. This is because the toxins that were present in the water caused a number of serious health problems for those who drank it or were exposed to it. The chemicals found in the contaminated water included trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE) and benzene. The contamination was caused by the improper disposal of hazardous waste from a nearby dry cleaning facility and fuel tanks that had been leaking at Camp Lejeune for decades.

The toxins found in the water were linked to an increased risk of cancer, birth defects, miscarriages, and other serious health conditions. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recognized 15 illnesses that are associated with the water contamination, including bladder cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Camp Lejeune Remediation Efforts

In response to the water contamination, the Department of Defense (DoD) and other agencies have taken a number of steps to ensure that future generations are protected from similar events.

The DoD has implemented an aggressive program for cleaning up and restoring contaminated areas around Camp Lejeune, including removing soil and sediment, installing new water lines, and providing alternative sources of drinking water for those living on base. The DoD has also taken steps to prevent future contamination by limiting the use of certain chemicals and requiring more rigorous testing procedures.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been involved in the remediation efforts as well, implementing measures such as testing soil and groundwater around the base and providing assistance to local residents in finding clean water sources.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims

If you or someone you know served at Camp Lejeune during the period of August 1953 through December 1987 and have since been diagnosed with one or more of the presumptive conditions associated with water contamination, you may be eligible to file a claim for disability benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). You must have served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 cumulative days during the period in order to qualify for benefits.

Additionally, the VA provides disability benefits to those who have a current diagnosis for one or more of these presumptive conditions and who served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 cumulative days from August 1953 through December 1987. The VA also provides health care benefits to those affected by the water contamination, and a special fund has been set up to compensate victims of the contamination. Contact our law firm to learn how we can assist you during this process.

Individuals may also be eligible to file a lawsuit against the US government in order to seek compensation for their medical costs, lost wages, and other damages related to the water contamination. There are many law firms that assist in this type of litigation, and it is important for individuals to consult with an experienced attorney who can help them navigate the legal process.