Who Was Exposed To Toxic Water at Camp Lejeune?
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) reports over one million Camp Lejeune residents and workers were exposed to the contaminated drinking water from 1953 to 1987.
Camp Lejeune victims include:
- Former and potentially active duty military personnel assigned to Camp Lejeune
- Military veterans who served at Camp Lejeune
- Family members of military veterans who lived at Camp Lejeune
- Civilian employees and contractors who worked at Camp Lejeune
- Private citizens who lived on the base or visited Camp Lejeune
- Any other person who spent 30 days or more living or working at Camp Lejeune
Countless people suffered from various infections, illnesses, and other complications for years.
Since Camp Lejeune Lawsuits were not permitted until recently, victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination could do little else than suffer in silence.
Fortunately, Camp Lejeune veterans, residents, and their families are finally getting the justice they’ve sought for so long.
They can now file a Camp Lejeune claim and seek financial compensation for their physical and emotional suffering.
What Health Conditions Are Related to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
For over 30 years, Camp Lejeune residents were exposed to the toxic Camp Lejeune water supply.
Scientific and medical evidence from the ATSDR traced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the drinking water from two of the eight Camp Lejeune water systems. Some of these toxic substances are:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Tetrachloroethylene or perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Benzene
- Vinyl chloride
Camp Lejeune residents initially complained of various complications caused by drinking and bathing in the toxic water, including skin, eye, and respiratory illnesses.
More severe health issues developed among Camp Lejeune victims as time passed.
These include the 15 medical conditions specified in several Camp Lejeune laws, which are:
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Lung cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Miscarriage
- Female infertility
- Scleroderma
- Renal toxicity
- Hepatic steatosis
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
Children of Camp Lejeune victims were not spared either, as they commonly developed birth issues and disabilities.
Thanks to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, these victims can now seek compensation for their health-related damages.
What Is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act?
The Federal Tort Claims Act of 1946 (FTCA) provided financial compensation for those who suffered a personal injury, property loss or damage, or death due to any federal employee’s negligence or act of omission.
However, this act did not allow victims to pursue Camp Lejeune cases against the government, leaving many Camp Lejeune victims suffering without legal recourse.
Fortunately, President Joe Biden signed the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (Honoring Our PACT) Act into law on August 10, 2022.
Section 804 of this law, also known as the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (CLJA), amended the Federal Tort Claims Act and allowed Camp Lejeune victims to file claims against the federal government.
Camp Lejeune Justice Act claims are submitted to the Navy JAG, which has six (6) months to adjudicate or deny the claim.
If a claim is denied, victims have the right to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Are There Any Other Laws Implemented for Camp Lejeune Victims?
Before the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, a few other laws were implemented to help Camp Lejeune victims.
Though none of the following bills had the widespread change the Camp Lejeune Justice Act has sparked, they are integral pieces of the story of Camp Lejeune water contamination and its victims.
The Janey Ensminger Act of 2012 is one of these laws, providing healthcare assistance to Camp Lejeune victims suffering from several severe health conditions.
This act was named after Jane Esminger, the late daughter of former Camp Lejeune residents Jerry Ensminger and his wife, Etsuko Biederman.
Janey passed from leukemia in 1985 at the age of nine. She was one of the many Camp Lejeune victims whose lives were tragically impacted by the contaminated Camp Lejeune water.
Mr. Ensminger, a U.S. Marine veteran, learned about the Camp Lejeune water contamination in 1997 and relentlessly pursued legal and legislative action to seek justice for his daughter.
Another law in place for Camp Lejeune victims is the Camp Lejeune Families Act.
Also known as Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, this act offered healthcare support, education assistance, housing services, and memorial services for eligible Camp Lejeune victims.
The Camp Lejeune Families Act also allowed Camp Lejeune veterans and their family members to seek medical services through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for 15 medical conditions linked to the Camp Lejeune water contamination.
Who Qualifies for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act specifies who may qualify for Camp Lejeune settlements and lawsuits.
Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, the following criteria enables victims to file claims:
- You resided or worked at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
- You served in the United States Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune between said dates.
- You are a family member of military personnel who lived and served at Camp Lejeune during the specified time.
- You developed one of the medical conditions related to the Camp Lejeune water contamination.
- You are able to present evidence that proves a link between your illness and the contaminated water supply in Camp Lejeune.
You may be eligible for Camp Lejeune claims if you meet any of the above mentioned criteria.
What Is the Average Camp Lejeune Payout?
Camp Lejeune lawyers have filed many Camp Lejeune claims on their client’s behalf.
While there are no exact Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts at this time, the Congressional Budget Office anticipates that Camp Lejeune settlement payouts will reach up to $6.1 billion.
Many Camp Lejeune settlement payouts will be determined in the administrative claims period.
Other Camp Lejeune settlements will be distributed after court proceedings in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
The settlement amount for each individual case will differ based upon the injuries suffered, conditions diagnosed, time spent at the base, and more.
Camp Lejeune settlements would also contain damages incurred, which can include medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional damages, and more.
Depending on injuries suffered, conditions diagnosed, and evidence available, individual settlement amounts for exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune could be significant.
Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts could be between $10,000 and $500,000 depending on the strength of your case.
These estimates for Camp Lejeune settlement amounts are only estimations based on the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) budget for Camp Lejeune claims.
These estimates are not a guarantee by any means of certain compensation for Camp Lejeune settlements.
Visit this page for more updates on Camp Lejeune settlement amounts as the information becomes more widely available.
Do I Qualify for a Camp Lejeune Claim?
As mentioned above, Camp Lejeune veterans or family members who lived or served at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987 may be eligible for settlement compensation.
If you believe you qualify for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, contact our experienced Camp Lejeune attorneys who can help you understand your legal rights and develop an effective strategy for a successful claim.
With expert assistance from a Camp Lejeune Lawyer, you can recover maximum damages for your medical bills, lost wages, and other costs caused by the Camp Lejeune toxic water.
What Is the Process of Making a Camp Lejeune Claim?
Thanks to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, victims may file Camp Lejeune administrative claims to the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (Navy JAG). Eligible claimants are able to submit a claim on their own behalf, or with the help of a legal representative or law firm.
Camp Lejeune water settlements seek to help victims recover or reimburse their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related expenses.
If your Camp Lejeune settlement is not resolved within six months, you may pursue a Camp Lejeune lawsuit and take the matter to federal court.
Victims will file their Camp Lejeune lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Hiring a Camp Lejeune attorney to help you navigate the complex legal process of Camp Lejeune lawsuits is highly recommended.
How Can Camp Lejeune Lawyers Help With Your Case?
Experience Camp Lejeune attorneys understand what it takes to build a solid legal case for Camp Lejeune cases.
They can help you understand the various laws and regulations, prepare evidence to support your claim, and represent you in court if necessary.
Skilled Camp Lejeune lawyers can help you investigate your case, obtain medical records, talk to expert witnesses, and thoroughly prepare your claim for trial.
Camp Lejeune litigation can be tricky, and an expert Camp Lejeune attorney can provide personalized legal advice and assistance to help you maximize your chances of success.
TorHoerman Law: Your Camp Lejeune Lawyers
The water contamination at Camp Lejeune left countless veterans, military family members and civilian workers suffering from serious illnesses.
While Camp Lejeune settlement amounts are still being worked out, having a skilled Camp Lejeune lawyer can help you ensure a suitable Camp Lejeune payout for your situation.
TorHoerman Law is here to help Camp Lejeune victims seek justice and financial compensation.
Our expert Camp Lejeune lawyers are prepared to assist you with your Camp Lejeune Lawsuit and get the justice you deserve.
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.
Victims are encouraged to reach out and determine their eligibility for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit.
Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.
You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit instantly.
