Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyers
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Skilled Camp Lejeune Water Contamination LawyersProviding Assistance To Injury Victims
Water contamination can cause serious adverse health effects in human beings. Between 1953 and 1987, the water supply at the United States Marine Corps Base in Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, contained contaminants. If you have suffered personal injuries due to water contamination at Camp Lejeune, contact our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation. We have decades of experience representing clients in personal injury cases.
You may call us at (888) 488-1391 to learn more about the legal services we offer. We serve clients in San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California.
Cancer Diagnoses Linked to Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can damage human health. The United States Marine Corps found these compounds in the water supply at Camp Lejeune in 1982. The following dangerous, volatile, organic compounds were found in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune:
- Approximately seventy toxic chemicals.
- Compounds associated with heavy machinery and equipment.
- Degreasers & dry cleaning solvents.
Researchers and agencies have examined the contaminants found in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. One agency that investigated water contamination at Camp Lejeune was the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease. The agency released research findings concerning the relationship between dangerous health conditions and water contaminants.
Participants in the research studies discovered that Camp Lejeune had an extensive history of contamination related to its water supply. The first instances of contamination occurred in 1953. From 1953 to 1987, military service members, civil employees, and civilians were exposed to dangerous contaminants. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry discovered that in 1985, the United States Marine Corps removed the most severely contaminated wells from Camp Lejeune.
The Origins Of Dangerous Chemicals In The Water Supply At Camp Lejeune
The chemicals in the water supply at Camp Lejeune affected every part of the military base, including the buildings, barracks, and base housing. Also, the contaminants reached the Marine Corps Air Station New River, which is situated near Camp Lejeune.
A total of 8 water treatment facilities served Camp Lejeune and the cities and towns near Camp Lejeune. The source of the water contamination came from two water treatment facilities: the Hadnot Point Treatment Plant and the Tarawa Terrace Treatment Plant.
SM v. Doe Defendant (settled on 10/14/2020) – settlement in a case involving a client who sustained a spinal cord injury and mild traumatic brain injury when he fell off a roof. The team at Arash Law secured an additional $610,000 as part of the third party settlement.– TINA ESHGHIEH
Chemicals And Contaminants In The Water Supply At Camp Lejeune
The chemicals that entered the drinking water at Camp Lejeune came from numerous sources. Researchers have determined that most of the chemicals in the water supply at Camp Lejeune came from underground storage tanks and waste disposal sites. Also, businesses that operated near the military base and operations conducted by the military near Camp Lejeune contributed to the contamination of the water supply. Approximately one million people used this drinking water for over three decades.
Research studies regarding Camp Lejeune and its contaminated drinking water revealed that the following dangerous chemicals were found in the water supply:
Vinyl Chloride
Wire coatings, PVC pipes, and plastic items are all made from vinyl chloride, a colorless gas. Vinyl chloride was found in many different products after the Second World War, including common household products, refrigerants, and makeup.
Trichloroethylene
Heavy machinery requires extensive maintenance, and degreasers are often used to keep metal machinery in good working order. Trichloroethylene is a degreaser, and exposure to it may potentially cause non-Hodgkin lymphoma and kidney cancer. Exposure to Trichloroethylene may also cause cardiac problems and different forms of cancer.
Tetrachloroethylene
Also known as Perchloroethylene, the chemical Tetrachloroethylene has many different uses and applications. Degreasing machinery and cleaning fabrics are two of the most common uses of tetrachloroethylene. Exposure to Tetrachloroethylene has been associated with cases of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and bladder cancer. One dry-cleaning business near Camp Lejeune may have caused Tetrachloroethylene to enter the water supply at Camp Lejeune.
Benzene
Numerous industrial chemicals contain the organic compound Benzene. Cancer may occur in individuals who are exposed to Benzene for long periods of time. Acute myeloid leukemia occurs in many patients with histories of benzene exposure.
Vinyl chloride, Trichloroethylene, and Benzene are categorized as chemicals that cause cancer in human beings. Tetrachloroethylene is seen as more than likely carcinogenic. Other health problems, including birth defects, may occur in people who have been exposed to these chemicals.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyers can provide guidance on potential legal options for individuals affected by these hazardous chemicals, helping evaluate claims and navigate the process for seeking compensation.
The Contaminated Water Supply at Camp Lejeune and Corresponding Medical Problems
Numerous health problems can arise due to exposure to contaminated drinking water. The water supply at Camp Lejeune was found to have chemicals that may cause birth defects, cancer, and other serious health problems.
The following health problems are linked to water contamination at Camp Lejeune:
- Neurobehavioral problems
- Miscarriage
- Birth injuries
- Renal toxicity
- Birth defects
- Parkinson’s disease
- Aplastic anemia
- Bone marrow conditions
- Adult leukemia
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Multiple myeloma
- Scleroderma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Tongue cancer
- Tonsil cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Lung cancer
- Liver cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Breast cancer
- Bladder cancer
In 2012, the Department of Veterans Affairs set forth many presumptive conditions caused by the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune. Liver disease, kidney disease, and cancer were included among these health conditions. Those veterans with a history of being stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 can file for disability benefits from the Veterans Administration.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination And Lawsuit Updates
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA), enacted as part of the PACT Act in August 2022, allowed individuals exposed to contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 to file claims for health-related damages. The filing deadline for these claims was August 10, 2024, after which the Department of the Navy ceased accepting new submissions.
As of mid-2024, over 261,000 administrative claims and approximately 1,800 lawsuits had been filed under the CLJA. Despite the large number of claims, the settlement process has been slow. By July 2024, the Department of Justice had approved settlements totaling $14.7 million for 59 victims and families. However, many claimants continue to face delays, with some having passed away while awaiting compensation.
In response to ongoing concerns, the Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act was introduced in 2025. This bipartisan bill aims to provide claimants with the right to jury trials and streamline the claims process. Lawmakers from both parties support the bill to address the institutional failures of the Navy and to honor veterans’ service.
For those who filed claims by the August 2024 deadline, the Department of the Navy continues to review submissions and issue settlement offers. Claimants are encouraged to monitor their claims through the official portal and consult with legal professionals to understand their options.
Honoring America’s Veterans And Caring For Camp Lejeune Families Act
H.R. 1627 was passed by Congress in 2012. Also known as the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act, the bill provided benefits to family members of veterans, as well as to veterans themselves, if certain criteria were met.
The Veterans Administration would give healthcare and Veterans Affairs benefits through H.R. 1627. Also, family members would receive healthcare benefits under this bill.
Rules added in 2017 provided additional conditions to the substances and disease registry from a 2012 bill titled Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act.
The Contaminated Water Supply At Camp Lejeune And Lawsuits Against The United States Government
The contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune and the effects on service members, civilian employees, and their family members have given rise to numerous lawsuits filed against the federal government. The spouse of a Marine who was stationed at Camp Lejeune filed a lawsuit against the federal government in 2019. Also, in 2011, a Marine who had long retired filed a lawsuit against the federal government claiming that the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune caused his breast cancer.
Which Individuals May Bring Legal Claims In A Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Supply Case?
You may have the right to file a legal claim against the federal government regarding water contamination at Camp Lejeune if you or a loved one meets the following criteria:
- Suffered health issues such as cancer caused by the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune.
- Suffered exposure to the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of thirty days from August 1, 1952, to December 31, 1987.
Can I Receive Benefits Or Monetary Compensation For My Injuries?
Injured plaintiffs may pursue financial compensation and healthcare benefits depending on the circumstances of their particular cases.
How Can I Obtain Healthcare Benefits Or Disability Compensation?
Individuals seeking benefits must file a claim for disability compensation and submit the following supporting evidence:
- Medical records demonstrating an individual has at least one of the eight health problems on the presumptive conditions list.
- Military records prove that an individual served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for a minimum of thirty days from August 1953 to December 1987. The records may show an individual was an active duty member of a branch of the United States military, or a member of the National Guard or Reserves.
Claimants may file claims by visiting VA.gov or seeking assistance from a veteran service officer. Also, claimants can get the help they need at a VA regional office. Upload the physician’s reports and medical examination results along with your application.
Can I Obtain These Benefits If I Am A Family Member?
Family members need to file claims for disability compensation and provide the following items of evidence:
- Medical records demonstrating you have one of the fifteen medical conditions listed. You will also need to provide an approximate date of diagnosis, state that you are currently being treated for this illness, or state that you were treated for this illness in the past.
- Documentation establishing that you resided at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for a minimum of thirty days between August 1953 and December 1987. Examples include tax documents, military orders, housing records, and utility bills.
- A document demonstrating a relationship with a veteran who served on active duty for a minimum of thirty days at Camp Lejeune. Examples of applicable documents include adoption papers, birth certificates, and marriage licenses.
Also, you must provide evidence that you spent money on healthcare treatment for your medical condition during one of the following time periods:
- Between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1956. If an individual resided at Camp Lejeune during this period of time, the federal government would reimburse the individual for medical treatment received on or after December 16, 2014, and up to two years before the date of a benefits application.
- Between January 1, 1957, and December 31, 1987. If an individual resided at Camp Lejeune during this period of time, the federal government would reimburse the individual for medical care received on or after August 6, 2012, and up to two years before the date of the benefits application.
One important document to include in a claim is a Camp Lejeune Family Member Program Treating Physician Report. You can request that your physician complete this form and sign it before submitting it. The form is not required, but it can help satisfy eligibility requirements.
Damages And Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Supply Lawsuits
When an individual experiences physical and emotional loss, they may suffer damages. The following claims may be included in a Camp Lejeune contaminated water supply case:
- Permanent disability
- Loss of companionship
- Lost earning capacity
- Disability benefits
- Lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Medical bills
Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Supply Lawsuits And Determining Liability
During a Camp Lejeune water supply contamination case, defendants who may be liable include persons or groups that contributed to someone’s injury or diagnosis, the federal government, businesses that may have damaged the water supply, and regulatory agencies. Skilled personal injury lawyers can analyze the circumstances of Camp Lejeune water contamination cases to assess who may be legally liable.
Retaining A Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Supply Lawyer
After you obtain the evidence and documents relevant to your case, contact Arash Law at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation with the team of Arash Khorsandi. We can help you develop your case strategy and determine the amount of damages you may be able to claim under the law. Our attorneys have extensive knowledge of water supply contamination cases and other legal cases related to toxic exposure.
If you suffered health problems from exposure to the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune, you have the right to seek financial compensation for your injuries. This could include medical bills and lost wages, depending on the specifics of your case. We will analyze the facts and circumstances of your case.
Call us at (888) 488-1391 to schedule a free initial consultation. We serve clients in San Francisco, Riverside, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles, San Diego, Sherman Oaks, and throughout California.
