In 1980, the United States Congress enacted the Superfund law to provide cleanup and health care costs for hazardous waste sites. One such site is Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base in North Carolina contaminated with carcinogens from 1953 to 1987.
As a result of the contamination, thousands of Marines and their families have been diagnosed with cancer and other illnesses. In 2012, Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Family Act, which benefits those exposed to contaminated water. However, many veterans are still fighting for compensation from the government.
The Camp Lejeune water lawsuit is a complex legal case, but it is important to understand the potential impacts of the decision. This article will provide an overview of the case and explain how it could affect veterans’ benefits.
Who Is Eligible to File a Camp Lejeune Claim?
The Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Contamination law was passed in 2012 to provide healthcare benefits to individuals exposed to toxic drinking water while stationed at Camp Lejeune.
To be eligible to file a claim, individuals must have lived or served at the base for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987 and have been diagnosed with an illness caused by the contamination.
Individuals have two years to file a claim under the law. Military personnel can also file a claim if they served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during the relevant time. The law provides healthcare benefits for 15 conditions associated with exposure to toxic water, including breast cancer, kidney cancer, and leukemia.
If you believe you or a loved one may be eligible for benefits under the Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Contamination law, you can file a Camp Lejeune water lawsuit claim.
Health Conditions for Filing Camp Lejeune Lawsuits
There are over 15 conditions that are associated with exposure to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. These conditions are:
- Kidney cancer
- Adult and childhood leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Multiple myeloma (a cancer of plasma cells)
- Aplastic anemia
- Breast cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Cardiac defects
- Esophageal cancer
- Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease)
- Infertility
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Other Kidney diseases
- Parkinson disease
- Renal disease
Contact our Camp Lejeune water lawsuit lawyers if you or a loved one has been diagnosed with any of these conditions while serving at Camp Lejeune.
What was Camp Lejeune’s Water Contaminated With?
Camp Lejeune’s water was contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE).
TCE
Trichloroethylene (TCE) was the main contaminant in the water at Camp Lejeune. TCE is a colorless, odorless liquid used as a degreaser and cleaning solvent. It was also used in dry cleaning and as a metal degreaser.
High TCE exposure has been linked to kidney cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. TCE is also a suspected human carcinogen.
The maximum TCE concentration found in the water at Camp Lejeune was 400,000 times the federal drinking water standard. TCE is no longer used at Camp Lejeune and has been replaced by safer alternatives.
PCE
Perchloroethylene, also known as PCE, is a man-made chemical used in various industries, including dry cleaning, metal degreasing, and the production of adhesives and detergents. It is also a common ingredient in spot removers and carpet cleaners.
Although PCE is highly effective at removing stains and dirt, it can also be extremely toxic. When ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, PCE can cause serious health problems, including liver damage, cancer, and developmental issues.
In 2012, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry released a report concluding that exposure to PCE was responsible for various health problems experienced by individuals who had lived at Camp Lejeune, a U.S. military base contaminated with the chemical.
If you have been exposed to PCE, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You can also contact our lawyers to learn more about your legal options.
Did the Government Know About Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?
The Camp Lejeune water contamination scandal is a sad and infuriating story of government negligence. According to the Centers for Disease Control’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the government knew that there were VOCs in the water at Camp Lejeune as early as 1982, five years before toxins were eliminated from the water.
That means that the people living and working at Camp Lejeune were exposed to dangerous toxins for five years, all because the government failed to act.
Now, lawsuits are being filed against the government, claiming that they failed to protect people and warn them of the dangers of the water.
Additionally, some lawsuits may seek to hold the businesses that contaminated the water accountable. It’s a long and complicated legal road ahead, but hopefully, justice will be served in the end.
What to Do if You Drank Water at Camp Lejeune
If you were stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987 and drank the water there, it’s important to contact your doctor immediately.
Camp Lejeune’s water was contaminated with several harmful chemicals during those years, and exposure to those chemicals can lead to serious health problems. If you have any symptoms of illness, it’s important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible.
Fortunately, the water at Camp Lejeune has been safe to drink since 2012, after extensive testing and treatment.
Today, all water on the base meets or exceeds the EPA’s standards for clean drinking water. If you were stationed at Camp Lejeune after 2012, you don’t need to take any special precautions.
If you came into contact with Camp Lejeune’s tainted water when it was contaminated, you might be eligible for VA disability benefits.
You can also speak to a lawyer about your legal options. Even if you don’t have any symptoms of illness now, it’s important to get tested and stay informed about your health to seek treatment if necessary.
Camp Lejeune Settlement Amounts
While it is difficult to estimate settlement amounts for Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits at this time, compensation will be based on the extent of victims’ injuries.
This is a complex process that will involve many factors, including
- Victim’s age
- Health history
- Presence of pre-existing conditions
In addition, your lawyer’s ability to prove that the injuries were caused by exposure to contaminated water will play a significant role in the eventual settlement amount.
Class action lawsuits involving cancer typically settle for between $150,000 and $750,000. Still, it is important to remember that each case is unique, and several factors will ultimately determine the settlement amount.
Who Is Being Sued in the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
The Camp Lejeune lawsuit was filed in 2013 on behalf of Marines, sailors, and their families exposed to toxic chemicals while stationed at the base. The defendants named in the lawsuit are the United States federal government and several chemical companies.
The plaintiffs allege that the defendants failed to warn them about the dangers of the chemicals, which include cancer-causing agents. The lawsuit is still pending, and a decision is expected to be made in the next few years.
In the meantime, the case continues to move forward, and those affected by the toxic chemicals continue to fight for justice.
Get In Touch With Our Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one were stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1957 and 1987, you may have been exposed to toxic chemicals in the water supply. This contamination has been linked to a variety of health problems, including cancer, kidney disease, and liver disease. If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, you may be eligible to receive compensation through the Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuit.
If you or someone you know has been affected by this tragedy, please don’t hesitate to seek help. There is still time to file a claim and receive compensation for the damage. Our personal injury lawyers at Terrell Hogan are here to answer questions; call us at (904) 632-2424. We believe that everyone deserves justice, and we will fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
