The Camp Lejeune Accident: Toxic Water Contamination for Over 30 Years
People who lived at United States Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water. This water was not safe to drink and contact with it may have increased the risk of developing cancer and other diseases.
The United States government has recognized the link between exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and certain health conditions.
The toxic water at Camp Lejeune was first discovered in the 1980s when a private well used by the base’s residents was found to be contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE), a chemical used in dry cleaning and metal degreasing.
The well was immediately shut down, but it was too late for the people who had been using it.
Over the ensuing years, more and more evidence emerged that the water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with a variety of toxic chemicals, including TCE, benzene, and vinyl chloride.
These chemicals are known to cause serious health problems, including cancer, birth defects, and liver damage.
What Was in the Water at Camp Lejeune?
Several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other toxic substances were found in the water at Camp Lejeune.
Toxic chemicals found in the water at Camp Lejeune include:
- Tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC)
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Vinyl Chloride
- Benzene
- Up to 70 other toxic chemicals
How Did Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Happen?
Toxic substances found their way into Tarawa Terrace Treatment Plant and Hadnot Point Treatment Plant, two of the water treatment plants that funneled into the Camp Lejeune water supply for decades.
Toxic substances leaked from underground storage tanks, an off-base dry cleaner, Hadnot Point fuel farm, waste disposal sites, and other potential contamination sites, impacting the water supplies for Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station New River, and other nearby areas.
Who Was Exposed to Contaminated Drinking Water at Camp Lejeune?
Over one million people lived or worked at Camp Lejeune in the years that drinking water and groundwater was contaminated with toxic substances.
Camp Lejeune residents and workers who may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water include:
- Military personnel and service members
- Military family members
- Civilian workers
- Contracted employees
- Marine Corps veterans
- National guard members
- Others who lived, worked or visited for 30 days or more
Camp Lejeune Linked Illnesses and Injuries
Scientific and medical evidence have linked the toxic substances in the water at Camp Lejeune to several fatal medical conditions and illnesses. These medical conditions have caused irreparable damage to the lives and families of Camp Lejeune victims.
Serious health conditions related to toxic substances in Camp Lejeune’s water include:
If you or a loved lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for more than 30 days between 1953 and 1987 and developed one of the illnesses above, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune claim.
Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation. You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit instantly.
Our law firm is working hard to make sure that veterans exposed to toxic substances in the water at Camp Lejeune secure the financial compensation they deserve. We can help you file your Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim, and if it is not adjudicated, file a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit on your behalf.
Reach out to us for more information and find out how our law firm can help you.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was signed into law by President Biden in August 2022 as part of the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. This new law provides an avenue for victims of water contamination to secure a Camp Lejeune settlement that covers health care benefits, medical expenses, and other damages associated with Camp Lejeune injuries and exposure.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act factors in the Federal Tort Claims Act and overrides North Carolina statutes that previously barred legal action for toxic water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
Victims must file a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim, either with the help of a law firm or on their own. The claim is filed with the Navy JAG, which has six (6) months to review and adjudicate the claim.
If a decision is not made on a claim within six months, victims are afforded the ability to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Our Camp Lejeune lawyers are here to help you file your claim correctly, maximize your compensation demand, and secure the compensation you are rightfully owed.
Do You Qualify for the Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit.
Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation. You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to participate in the Camp Lejeune litigation instantly.
With filing a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim,
Our Camp Lejeune attorneys can help guide you to gather crucial evidence such as medical records, military service records, housing records, and other information that proves your exposure to toxic water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
Our law firm will also help calculate and assess your damages so that your settlement demand accurately reflects what your experience.
Gathering Evidence for Camp Lejeune Claims
Evidence is important in any personal injury lawsuit, but is especially important with Camp Lejeune Lawsuits and claims.
Evidence in a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit may include:
- Documents proving residence at Camp Lejeune
- Military service records indicating dates and locations served
- Medical records and diagnoses
- Medical bills
- Travel records
- Health care information
- Records on disability benefits or VA compensation benefits
- Other information proving exposure to Camp Lejeune water contamination
Assessing Damages for Camp Lejeune Claims
Damages refer to the total amount of losses, economic and non-economic, incurred as a result of a diagnosis, incident, or accident.
Damages in Camp Lejeune Lawsuits may include:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Disability benefits
- Loss of companionship, consortium, enjoyment of life, and earning capacity
- Permanent disability
TorHoerman Law: Your Camp Lejeune Lawyers
TorHoerman Law is currently accepting clients for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit and helping victims through the Camp Lejeune claims process.
If you or a loved one lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit and get compensated for what you’ve gone through.
Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your legal options. You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit instantly.
We understand the attorney client relationship and are here to help when you need it most. Reach out to us today and learn about your legal options from our trusted Camp Lejeune attorneys.
