What You Need to Know About the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Cases
If you were present at Camp Lejeune from the 1950s to the 1980s, you may have been exposed to contaminated water. A number of illnesses have been linked to this exposure and there will likely be many others.
Even if you have not yet developed the known medical problems associated with the water at Camp Lejeune, it’s important that you seek legal counsel if you were at the base during this time period.
You may have the right to claim substantial monetary compensation. Eligible survivors have until August 10, 2024, to file their claims, and Rosen Hagood can help.
What are the Camp Lejeune claims and lawsuits about?
Located in eastern North Carolina, Camp Lejeune is a military base that is home to the marine expeditionary forces and other units. From 1953 to 1987, anyone who was stationed, lived, or worked at the base may have been exposed to contaminated water. These include veterans, their family members, military personnel, and others.
The water contamination was caused by spills or leaks of what are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The VOCs included several toxic chemicals that were found in degreasers and dry-cleaning solvents. A few of the chemicals that have been discovered at Camp Lejeune are:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Benzene
- Vinyl chloride
- Toluene
- Mercury and other heavy metals
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)
- Pesticides
These substances spilled or leaked from underground storage tanks and waste disposal sites. VOCs are extremely hazardous to human health and have resulted in the following medical conditions, among others:
- Numerous cancers (esophageal, kidney, breast, bladder, lung, and others)
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Female infertility
- Miscarriage
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Hepatic steatosis
- Parkinson’s disease
Individuals may have come in contact with the contaminated water in many ways, including from drinking, bathing in, cooking with, or cleaning with it. It is likely that they were exposed to this water for years or even decades. But even if you don’t have one of the medical issues listed above, you may have a claim for compensation. Other medical conditions will probably be added as they are revealed and determined to be pervasive among those who lived and worked at the base.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022
For years, the U.S. government denied responsibility for the toxic water and its associated illnesses at Camp Lejeune. However, with increasing numbers of veterans and others who stepped forward to tell of their ailments, successful efforts were made to provide monetary compensation to survivors.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was enacted in August 2022 as part of the Honoring Our PACT Act. Those who were harmed by the contaminated water can bring personal injury claims to recover damages. Additionally, eligible relatives of those who died due to their illnesses can file wrongful death actions. Victims and survivors may be entitled to compensation for these and other losses:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Loss of society, companionship, and consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death
Am I eligible to file a claim?
Anyone who was at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, may be able to seek monetary compensation. More specifically, the following individuals are eligible:
- Anyone who lived, worked, or was stationed on the base for 30 days or more during the
above period. - Spouses or dependents of an eligible veteran who was on the base during the above
period. - Infants born of women who were pregnant on the base during the above period.
- For wrongful death actions, survivors of deceased veterans and others who meet these
criteria.
You can learn more in this article containing the most frequently asked questions about Camp Lejeune water contamination cases.
Why our team?
The strength of our team goes beyond Rosen Hagood’s 75 years of litigation and trial experience. In partnership with Bell Legal Group and Craver Law Firm, we bring a level of understanding about these cases that is unmatched.
After all, Attorney Ed Bell authored the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and spent more than fifteen years fighting for its passage in Congress, and the Craver Law Firm has been a valuable business and litigation link with our team for almost 30 years.
Exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune? Rosen Hagood is ready to serve you
If you came in contact with toxic water at Camp Lejeune, or you believe you did, contact the Camp Lejeune Lawyers at Rosen Hagood. Because these claims and lawsuits are still developing, and other illnesses may be added to the official list, you should reach out to us regardless of whether you’ve developed one of the specific conditions listed above.
However, there are important time deadlines that will limit the rights of survivors and their families. You have until August 10, 2024, to bring a claim, but you should take action long before that date to ensure you make your best case for maximum compensation. Click here to contact Rosen Hagood to get started today.
