Everything You Need to Know About the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits
Published in Class Action on July 1, 2022
Reading Time: 4 minutes
At Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, more than one million military troops and their families were exposed to tainted water between 1953 and 1987. The development of severe illness has been linked to exposure to the contaminants in this water. The Senate is currently reviewing the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. This Act was created to make it easier for anyone who lost a loved one or was injured after drinking contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to file a claim within two years of the law’s taking effect.
Anyone who spent at least 30 days residing, working, or serving at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987 who suffers from a significant sickness, miscarriage, or birth defect may be qualified for disability benefits, medical care, and compensation. The lawyers at Sweeney Merrigan Law are representing plaintiffs affected by this negligence. To discuss filing a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit, call us at (617) 391-9001 or submit a contact form.
How to Know if You’ve Been Affected by the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Housing for enlisted families, barracks, schools, base hospitals, recreation facilities, and administrative buildings all made use of the tainted water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. People who endured illnesses caused by water toxicity or other conditions while living or working at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 may be entitled to settlement money from the government.
Common ailments suffered by those affected by the water contamination include:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other bone marrow conditions
- Birth Defects
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Death
- Esophageal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Multiple myeloma
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Ovarian cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Renal toxicity
- Stomach cancer
If you have a qualifying service at Camp Lejeune and a current diagnosis of one or more of these conditions, you may be able to get disability benefits. You should also consider speaking to a lawyer about pursuing compensation. An experienced lawyer may be able to fight for your right to receive a sizable settlement.
What Contaminants Were Found in the Camp Lejeune Water?
VOCs, degreasers, chemicals used on large machinery, and more than 70 additional hazardous substances were found in the water. The government was aware of the contamination but did nothing about it, disregarded expert advice, ignored site inspections and reports, and disregarded claims from military personnel and their families that the water had a chemical taste.
The following substances, in addition to others, were found in two on-base water plants that were closed in 1985:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Benzene
- Vinyl chloride
The Hadnot Point treatment facility and the Tarawa Terrace water plant were the water treatment plants serving the base. Both contained each of these pollutants at exceedingly high levels. TCE is a liquid chemical with no smell or color that is utilized in industry. The EPA has set a 5 parts per billion maximum safe level of TCE in drinking water (ppb). TCE levels as high as 1,400 ppb were observed in the Hadnot Point plant’s water.
The commercial dry cleaning business generally uses PCE, a clear liquid with a moderate odor, as a fabric solvent. The ABC One-Hour Cleaners, a local dry cleaner, was identified as the source of the pollution at the Tarawa factory. According to studies, the levels of PCE, TCE, vinyl chloride, and benzene in the drinking water were among the highest ever recorded in American history.
How Much Will the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlements Be?
There will likely be a range of Camp Lejeune settlement amounts. Those who succeed in their claims will be entitled to the full range of compensatory damages offered in tort cases, including past and future medical costs and pain and suffering. Any VA benefits received for the alleged injuries will be deducted from any awards made to claimants.
The potential settlement value of claims involving Camp Lejeune water contamination cannot be determined with any degree of accuracy since there are far too many unknowns. However, by examining the compensation sums in previous settlements, our mass torts attorneys with experience managing cases involving clients with comparable injuries may be able to make a reasonable prediction.
Reach Out to a Firm Experienced In Handling Mass Torts and Class Action Lawsuits
Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits will most likely be launched on behalf of the victims across the nation as a means of obtaining settlement funds in these situations. At Sweeney Merrigan Law, our attorneys may be able to help you with a claim for your illnesses or injuries for the unjustified passing of a loved one due to the government’s negligence in this matter.
Our co-managing partner J. Tucker Merrigan has obtained millions of dollars in settlements for his clients and may be able to do the same for you. Call us at (617) 391-9001 to schedule a consultation to discuss filing a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit or fill out a contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions About Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
1. Is the Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune Covered Under PACT?
Persons who lived or worked on Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and suffer current medical conditions caused by the Camp Lejeune water contamination, may pursue compensation under the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
2. Can I file a Camp Lejeune claim without an attorney?
Yes, it’s possible to file a claim without the support of an attorney. However, choosing to file a claim through an attorney is the best way to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. A skilled and experienced lawyer can be your ultimate ally in your fight for a fair financial recovery from the country you and/or your family served.
3. Is it too late to file a Camp Lejeune claim?
It’s not too late! The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was created to make it easier for anyone who lost a loved one or was injured after drinking contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to file a claim within two years of the law’s taking effect. Keep in mind, though, that this action is only available to individuals who were exposed to contamination water for at least 30 days.
4. What should I do if I suspect my current medical condition is caused by Camp Lejeune water contamination?
If you suspect your current medical condition is caused by Camp Lejeune water contamination and you lived or worked on Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, you may be entitled to settlement money from the government. Please contact us at (413) 553-1996 to schedule a free consultation to discuss filing a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit or file out a contact form here .