Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

Residents, service members, and civilian employees at Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina faced exposure to contaminated water from August 1953 to December 1987. As a result, many developed adverse health conditions and were left with high medical bills, missed income, and suffering. Thirty-five years after the government shut down the water system at the base, these people finally might have grounds for legal recourse. 

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 was signed into law on August 10, 2022. This legislation allows victims of the toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune to hold the government responsible for the damages they suffered. In general, claimants have two years to sue.

The legal process can get complicated very quickly, especially in this large-scale case. To that end, claimants may want to consider hiring a lawyer to take care of their legal tasks while they receive treatment for their illness or injury. For example, an attorney can gather relevant medical documentation, communicate with the courts and other attorneys, and represent a claimant during all legal proceedings.

If you or your family member was harmed due to toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune, you may qualify for compensation. Fill out the contact form to arrange a meeting with a personal injury attorney today.

Legislation Allows Camp Lejeune Victims to Seek Compensation

Service members, employees, and residents at Camp Lejeune have tried pursuing justice for the harm they suffered due to toxic water exposure for years. In 2012, the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 was passed.

This legislation aimed to give VA medical benefits to those who were at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from August 1957 to December 1987 and had a medical diagnosis of a qualifying condition.

Sadly, many of these claimants received a denial or long-term delays after they submitted their claims to the VA. At one point, the approval rate was only 25%, according to CBS News. It turned out that the subject matter experts the VA hired to review the claims didn’t have the proper qualifications to take on such tasks.

Because they couldn’t get access to the money they needed for treatment, the claimants’ conditions only got worse. The dwindling claim approval rate and the growing number of claimants in need ultimately led Congress to reevaluate how it could assist them.

Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022

The House of Representatives introduced the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. Then, two months later, it added it to the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2021 (The Honoring Our PACT Act).

The PACT Act aims to compensate veterans and their families for their losses stemming from their health complications due to toxic exposure. President Joe Biden signed it into law on August 10, 2022.

With this act, the government MUST take financial responsibility for the harm related to Camp Lejeune contamination and forego asserting its immunity. Prior to the passage of the PACT Act, North Carolina barred Camp Lejeune claimants from suing the government for negligence.

In general, claimants have until August 10, 2024 to file their lawsuit against the government through the Eastern District of North Carolina. Once it receives your case, it has 180 days to respond. Otherwise, the federal government will treat this non-answer as a denial, so your case may proceed to trial.

In any case, if claimants don’t act before this two-year deadline, they may no longer be eligible to recover damages. To that end, it would be a claimant’s responsibility to pay off the damages they accumulated from toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune.

Latest Updates on the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

Since the PACT Act was enacted into law so recently, claimants are still in the early stages of the legal process. Still, legal teams, the courts, and other relevant parties are working quickly to meet the legal deadlines and, of course, recover much-needed compensation for the claimants.

Some of the most recent updates include the following:

November 29, 2022

According to CBS News, the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) reports that victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination have filed about 14,000 claims under the CLJA.

November 28, 2022

Although the Navy has received thousands of claims for Camp Lejeune, it has yet to respond to any of them. It is in the middle of developing an electronic portal that allows claimants to attach their supporting evidence and documentation. It hasn’t articulated a specific end date.

November 24, 2022

Attorneys representing the government filed their motion to dismiss cases that claimants re-filed, as opposed to newly-submitted, the day on or after the CLJA passed. As such, the bases of those re-filed claims may not currently reflect the conditions in the CLJA.

November 17, 2022

According to the CLJA, claimants must file their claims with employment or military personnel records. Due to the mass influx of Camp Lejeune records requests, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) is overwhelmed and backed up.

To help streamline the process, the Navy isn’t requiring claimants to submit their cases with the relevant records. It instead intends to build a separate portal for these submissions.

October 22, 2022

The U.S. Government filed a motion to dismiss all legacy cases filed the day the CLJA passed. Six more people filed their cases the next day. The public won’t know if this latter group gets their cases dismissed until around the end of January.

What Happened at Camp Lejeune?

The core allegation related to Camp Lejeune is that, for more than three decades, the water that residents and employees of Camp Lejeune drank, bathed in, and cooked with contained harmful contaminants. Studies have found that those contaminants increased the risk of former base residents developing serious illnesses—including but not limited to cancer.

Those who developed illnesses or lost family members from related conditions since living at Camp Lejeune allege that they were unnecessarily exposed to life-threatening contaminants. As a result, some of them are pursuing compensation from liable parties.

How Did the Drinking Water at Camp Lejeune Become Contaminated?

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) explains that:

  • The U.S. military opened Camp Lejeune in 1942 as a base for Marines and their families.
  • In 1982, representatives of the U.S. Marine Corps found that water supplied to residents at Camp Lejeune contained a toxic amount of chemicals. This is water that residents drank (presumably on a daily basis) and used for other purposes.
  • The contamination likely dates back to the 1950s, with 1953 being the year that authorities now recognize as the beginning of the water contamination.

The source of contamination was an off-base dry cleaning business, ABC One-Hour Cleaners, that reportedly disposed of its waste in a way that contaminated the water source at Camp Lejeune. Officials found that industrial spills, underground storage tanks, and disposal sites also contaminated the water. That means Camp Lejeune residents were drinking, cooking, and bathing in toxic amounts of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for decades.

Even though officials knew about the toxic water since 1982, they didn’t shut down the affected wells until 1985 and the water system in its entirety until 1987. That gave even more time for people to drink, cook, and bathe in the contaminated water.

The Navy, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) started cleaning up the affected areas in 1989. In addition, the EPA has added Camp Lejeune to its Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL). That means it will continuously track and investigate the military base’s conditions.

As a result of this toxic exposure, residents, employees, and service members have developed diseases, such as different types of cancer, and some have even lost their lives. Finally, after nearly 40 years since officials discovered toxins in the ground and drinking water, those affected can hold the government accountable for its negligence at Camp Lejeune.

Which Areas of Camp Lejeune Sustained Toxic Water Exposure?

According to the ATSDR, the following eight water treatment plants supplied water to the housing units and barracks at Camp Lejeune:

  • Camp Geiger
  • Camp Johnson
  • Courthouse Bay
  • Hadnot Point
  • Holcomb Boulevard
  • New River
  • Rifle Range
  • Tarawa Terrace

Researchers found that Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace contained the aforementioned VOCs. Hadnot Point served Hospital Point and most of the bachelor’s quarters and barracks. Up until 1972, it also supplied Berkley Manor, Paradise Point, and Midway Park. On the other hand, Tarawa Terrace supplied water to Tarawa Terrace and Knox Trailer Park.

Although these were the two treatment plants that exposed residents and employees to contaminated water, those who regularly received their water from Holcomb Boulevard may have been harmed, as well. That is, Holcomb Boulevard dried up during late spring and early summer, and water from Hadnot Point supplemented it during those seasons. In addition, Holcomb Boulevard shut down for repairs for two weeks at the beginning of 1985, and water from Hadnot Point was used at that time as well.

In other words, the areas that Holcomb Boulevard served—Berkeley Manor, Paradise Point, Watkins Village, and Midway Park—needed occasional supplemental water sources, and Hadnot Point would supply the water to those areas. Those who drank, bathed, and cooked while receiving water from Hadnot Point when Holcomb Boulevard was closed may have grounds for damages if they suffer from a related illness.

An Overview of the Volatile Organic Compounds Found at Camp Lejeune

When officials hired Grainger Laboratories to test the water at Camp Lejeune, they found it contained four main volatile organic compounds:

  • Trichloroethylene (TCE)
  • Perchloroethylene (PCE)
  • Benzene
  • Vinyl chloride

These toxins maxed out the solvent level that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deemed safe by up to 280 times. Tragically, about one million people at Camp Lejeune suffered the consequences of ingesting these VOCs.

Trichloroethylene (TCE)

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), TCE is a colorless, liquid carcinogen that smells like chloroform. Although it’s a commonly used chemical in many industries, it’s mainly for removing grease from metal. Dry cleaners also use it to remove stains.

Ingestion or inhalation of TCE in large amounts or over a long period of time may cause dizziness and fatigue, nausea and vomiting, liver damage, headache, confusion, or loss of consciousness.

Perchloroethylene (PCE)

The ATSDR describes PCE as a colorless, non-flammable liquid. It’s a dry cleaning agent, as well as a solvent for metal degreasing. Although it breaks down slowly, it can move through the air at long distances rather quickly. As a result, someone can easily ingest or inhale it, causing it to travel from the lungs to the bloodstream. On the other hand, should a person touch or drink water containing PCE, it may travel from the skin or stomach to the bloodstream.

When ingested in small amounts, the body can break it down and discard it through urination. However, if someone is exposed to it frequently over time, it can build up in the body and lead to various health complications, such as problems with pregnancy and cancer.

Alternatively, when someone ingests large amounts of it at once, they may experience more short-term side effects, like changes in mood, reaction, memory, and attention.

Benzene

According to the CDC, benzene is a colorless or light yellow liquid at room temperature. It’s very flammable and can evaporate fairly quickly. Benzene, in its vaporized form, is heavy and sinks into areas at a low altitude. It doesn’t really dissolve in water and floats on top of it.

It is both a natural and artificial chemical, as it is typically found in:

  • Gasoline
  • Cigarette smoke
  • Crude oils
  • Dyes
  • Lubricants
  • Detergents
  • Pesticides
  • Synthetic fibers
  • Rubbers

Ingesting benzene can be detrimental to one’s health, harming the immune system and reducing red and white blood cell count. Those who inhale high amounts of benzene in a short amount of time may experience headaches, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, vomiting, and confusion.

Vinyl Chloride

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), vinyl chloride is a manmade flammable gas used for commercial purposes. People are mainly exposed through inhalation. However, when it contaminates a water supply, it can enter the air in the given area.

Breathing in high levels of vinyl chloride at once may lead to dizziness and fatigue, but these effects usually don’t last long. Still, the higher the levels, the more severe the effects. In some cases, those exposed may lose consciousness or even pass away. The latter usually occurs in the most extreme cases.

In the event people have vinyl chloride exposure for extended periods of time, they may be at risk of developing blood, liver, and brain cancers.

Who Is Eligible to File a Lawsuit Against the U.S. Government?

According to the JAG, you qualify to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit for damages if:

  • You were exposed to the contaminated water (even in utero) at Camp Lejeune from August 1953 and December 1987 for at least 30 days.
  • You have an injury or illness stemming from that exposure.

To file a case, complete the CLJA claims form and email it to Clclaims@us.navy.mil or send it via mail.

Evidence Necessary to Take Legal Action

You may use housing and military records to show that you worked, served, or lived at Camp Lejeune during the allotted time. To prove the latter, you must have a medical diagnosis as well as scientific evidence that documents a link between the VOCs in the water and your illness.

Studies Link Water Contamination to Serious Health Problems

Numerous studies have shown that the VOCs in the water at Camp Lejeune have caused certain cancers and health complications. You may be able to use the results of these studies as evidence when you file your lawsuit against the U.S. government.

Finding a Causal Link Between Toxic Chemical Ingestion and Bladder and Kidney Cancer

The ATSDR conducted a study that observed whether the residents and service members at Camp Lejeune contracted an illness due to toxic water exposure. The organization mailed surveys to 247,000 participants or their family members, asking about:

  • Information about their disease and diagnosis
  • Age
  • Race
  • Smoking habits
  • Alcohol use
  • Education

The ATSDR received upwards of 76,000 completed surveys. The researchers found a causal link between TCE and PCE exposure and an increased risk of bladder and kidney cancer.

Examining the Causes of Death of Full-Time Employees at Camp Lejeune

Researchers from the ATSDR examined if the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune increased on-base employees’ risk of death from certain health conditions.

They evaluated the cause of death of 4,647 service members who worked at Camp Lejeune from 1973 to 1985. To get a clearer vision of just how much the contaminated water affected them, if at all, they also examined the cause of death of those who worked at Camp Pendleton during the same time. Camp Pendleton didn’t have a contaminated water supply.

The results showed that Camp Lejeune workers had a higher mortality rate than those at Camp Pendleton from the following diseases:

  • Female breast cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Leukemia
  • Prostate cancer
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • multiple myeloma
  • Rectal cancer
  • Cancer in the oral cavity

VOCs in the Water Led to Birth Defects and Childhood Cancer

The researchers at the ATSDR studied if maternal exposure to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune led to a higher risk of birth defects, as well as if the same exposure led to pediatric cancer within the first year of life.

From 1999 to 2002, the ATSDR surveyed 12,598 children’s parents to see if their children developed cancer or had birth defects and their possible causes. Note that only mothers who were pregnant and lived at Camp Lejeune from 1968 to 1985 qualified to participate in the study.

The researchers found that exposure to high levels of TCE during the first trimester of pregnancy led to an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). However, they didn’t see a high association between toxic chemicals and pediatric cancers and oral clefts.

Exposure to VOCs in Pregnancy Could Have Led to Negative Birth Outcomes

The researchers at ATSDR studied the effects of the water toxins in Camp Lejeune on women who:

  • Were pregnant and exposed from 1968 to 1985 
  • Gave birth prior to 1968

The purpose of this study was to see if their children suffered any adverse health effects as a result of exposure.

The researchers found that:

  • Women exposed to PCE, especially during the second trimester of pregnancy, increased their risk of delivering prematurely.
  • Women exposed to TCE, especially during the second trimester of pregnancy, increased their child’s risk of a reduced mean birth weight, low birth weight, and a small gestational weight.
  • When exposed to high levels of benzene throughout all stages of pregnancy, mothers bore children who had a low birth weight at term.

Who Is Eligible to File a VA Disability Claim Related to Camp Lejeune?

You may also have the option to file a disability claim with the VA if you were harmed at Camp Lejeune. Note that bringing this claim is independent of filing a lawsuit against the government.

According to the VA, the qualifications include the following:

  • Whether you’re a veteran, guardsman, or reservist, you served at Camp Lejeune for a period of at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987.
  • You did not receive a dishonorable discharge.
  • You have a presumptive condition: bladder cancer, kidney cancer, Parkinson’s disease, adult leukemia, aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, liver cancer, or multiple myeloma.

Veterans and their family members may qualify for healthcare benefits if they can prove they lived at Camp Lejeune during the aforementioned time frame and suffer from one of the qualifying health conditions.

To file for benefits, complete the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program Application (VA Form 10-10068). You can either mail it to the VA’s headquarters or fax it to (512) 460-5536.

Don’t assume that you are ineligible to file a claim if you don’t fit the above criteria.  Contact a personal injury lawyer before you rule out this possibility. The Camp Lejeune case is nuanced, and you may be eligible to file a claim even if you don’t meet the VA’s criteria for disability benefits.

What Are the Allegations Related to Camp Lejeune?

The core allegation related to Camp Lejeune is that, for more than three decades, the water that residents of Camp Lejeune drank, bathed in, and cooked with contained harmful contaminants. Those contaminants, studies have found, increase the risk of those residents developing serious illnesses—including but not limited to cancer.

Those who have developed illnesses since living at Camp Lejeune allege that they were unnecessarily exposed to life-threatening contaminants. As a result, some of them are pursuing compensation from liable parties.

How Did the Drinking Water at Camp Lejeune Become Contaminated?

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) explains that:

  • The U.S. military opened Camp Lejeune in 1942 as a base for Marines and their families.
  • In 1982, representatives of the U.S. Marine Corps found that water supplied to residents at Camp Lejeune contained a toxic amount of chemicals—this is water that residents drank (presumably on a daily basis) and used for other purposes.
  • The contamination likely dates back to the 1950s, with 1953 being the year that authorities now recognize as the beginning of the water contamination.

The source of contamination was an off-base dry cleaning business that reportedly disposed of its waste in a way that contaminated the water source to Camp Lejeune. As a result, Camp Lejeune residents were drinking toxic amounts of PCE (perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene) until the Corps discovered the contamination in December 1987.

Who Is Eligible to File or Join a Lawsuit Related to Camp Lejeune?

Per VA guidelines, those who lived at Camp Lejeune for a period of at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, may be eligible to get disability benefits. If you meet these criteria, you may also be eligible to join a lawsuit related to Camp Lejeune.

Under the Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, any service member who served on active duty at Camp Lejeune between August August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, may receive all of their healthcare through VA. There will be no charge for your care if your health conditions include:

  • Renal toxicity
  • Hepatic steatosis
  • Female infertility
  • Bladder cancer
  • Scleroderma
  • Neurobehavioral effects
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Leukemia
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Miscarriage 

Don’t assume that you are ineligible to join a lawsuit if you don’t fit the above criteria. Speak with a personal injury lawyer before you rule out this possibility. The Camp Lejeune case is nuanced, and you may be eligible to join a lawsuit even if you don’t meet VA’s criteria for disability benefits.

How Could You Obtain Compensation for Your Damages?

You may be eligible to join or file a lawsuit against the U.S. government or other liable parties. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is also providing disability benefits to veterans who meet certain criteria. 

The United States Congress recently passed the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022. This act grants unprecedented benefits to veterans who suffer health problems because of toxic exposure while in the Armed Forces—including those poisoned at Camp Lejeune. 

VA will oversee the disbursement of benefits related to the PACT Act. Under this act, you may be entitled to healthcare and other disability benefits. 

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) will also allow attorneys to file lawsuits in ​​United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This is a major development, as it was previously difficult to hold environmental polluters in North Carolina legally responsible. You may be an eligible plaintiff for one of these lawsuits. 

To recap, you may receive benefits and compensation through:

  1. A lawsuit
  2. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Any lawsuit you join could provide benefits in addition to or in place of any VA benefits that you may receive.

Potential Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Damages

As a plaintiff in a lawsuit, the hope is that you will receive compensation for all negative effects of your contamination at Camp Lejeune. The ailments connected to contamination are quite serious—even fatal, in many cases. Since such a wide variety of health complications arose from water contamination exposure at the base, the amount of compensation and the type you receive will depend on the unique factors of your case, such as:

  • The nature and severity of your health condition
  • When you were exposed and for how long
  • Your prognosis
  • The medical bills you accumulated and will accumulate
  • How it has affected your ability to work
  • Your physical and mental difficulties

Based on this information, your recoverable damages may include the following:

Your Pain and Suffering

Health problems due to drinking contaminated water can be debilitating. From cancer to neurological problems, victims like you or your loved one may:

  • Experience depression as a symptom of health problems or because of the effects your health problems have had on your life
  • Suffer cognitive problems, as the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health explains that contaminated water can affect brain function
  • Experience physical pain as a consequence of your health problems
  • Have difficulty forming romantic relationships because of ongoing health issues
  • Suffer from substance abuse because of the stress of your health problems
  • Have a poor quality of life

These and other forms of pain and suffering may entitle you to compensation. Your attorney may also seek compensation for any therapy, counseling, medications, or other treatments you require for your pain and suffering.

Medical Treatment for Ailments Related to Contaminated Water

Any medical costs that you believe stem from the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may be recoverable. The treatment you need will depend on the nature of your ailments but may include:

  • Doctor visits for diagnosis of your health problems
  • Medical imaging to diagnose cancer or other internal ailments
  • Surgery
  • Pain medications
  • Hospitalization
  • In-home caregiver services
  • Medical equipment

Each plaintiff in a Camp Lejeune lawsuit will have different medical expenses. Your attorney will work hard to cover your healthcare costs.

Lost Income and Future Loss of Earning Potential

When victims of water-related poisoning become sick, they are often unable to work. If that’s the case for you, you may lose:

  • Your income, tips, salary, bonuses, and/or commissions
  • Health insurance, retirement benefits, and other benefits that your job provided
  • The opportunity to earn promotions, progress in your professional field, and achieve greater earning power
  • Any fulfillment that you derived from your work

The loss of income is a major piece of most civil lawsuits. If Camp Lejeune contamination is responsible for your inability to work, then the U.S. Government may cover the total cost of your unemployment.

A Loved One’s Wrongful Death

Lymphoma. Myeloma. Leukemia. Lung cancer. These and other health problems caused by water contamination are often fatal. If you’ve lost a loved one from an ailment possibly related to Camp Lejeune water contamination, you may get compensation for:

  • Your pain and suffering and the decedent’s pain and suffering before they passed away
  • The cost of the decedent’s funeral and burial
  • Lost financial support caused by the decedent’s death
  • Loss of a spouse or parent and the companionship and guidance they provided 
  • The decedent’s healthcare expenses 
  • Any other damages that your family has endured

One of the tragic realities is that Marines and their families were selflessly serving their country at the same time they were being unwittingly poisoned. This is a level of negligence that nobody should overlook. 

Who Is Liable for the Damages That Camp Lejeune Victims Have Suffered?

The United States government is and will be the primary defendant in class action and individual lawsuits related to Camp Lejeune. 

Due to various laws and rules, the U.S. government is often immune from liability for certain harmful actions. Due to the recent passage of legislation, it will no longer be immune from lawsuits related to Camp Lejeune.

Each case is unique. Your attorney can determine if any defendants aside from, or in addition to, the U.S. government owes you compensation. 

What to Do if You Were Exposed to Toxic Water at Camp Lejeune

Based on estimates of how many residents, service members, and other workers were at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, it’s likely that more than one million people have suffered from the water contamination on the base. You are not alone, and the wheels of justice are already in motion.

Your next step may be to connect with a law firm that handles Camp Lejeune lawsuits. The attorney can:

  • Listen to your account of your or your loved one’s time at Camp Lejeune
  • Review any medical documentation that you have
  • Explain your options for pursuing justice
  • Assist you with seeking a Camp Lejeune lawsuit payout
  • Help you move forward with the legal process or any other appropriate course of action

While you may be aware that a lawsuit is a possibility, actually enrolling in a lawsuit is a different challenge. A lawyer can handle the process for you.

Ongoing Litigation Related to Camp Lejeune—You May Be Eligible to Join

While past lawsuits related to Camp Lejeune have been dismissed, the passage of the CLJA means that lawsuits may have a greater likelihood of settling or going to trial. These lawsuits will materialize quickly, and you may want to file one as soon as possible.

An attorney may also discuss whether filing an individual lawsuit makes sense for you.

You May Benefit From Hiring a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Lawyer

When you hire an attorney, you may have several motivations. Two common goals of those who hire personal injury attorneys are:

  1. Preserving your current health
  2. Getting compensation to improve your life and protect your loved ones

An attorney can help preserve your health by handling the legal process for you. While you could represent yourself, you should consider the potential downsides. If you don’t hire a lawyer and pursue compensation on your own, you may:

  • Have far less time to focus on your health
  • Exhaust and stress yourself, potentially worsening your physical and cognitive condition
  • Be quickly confused and overwhelmed by the legal aspects of your case
  • Pay out of your own pocket for all case-related costs, which there will be

When you research and consider what goes into a civil lawsuit—especially one involving the United States government—you may determine that at least consulting an attorney makes sense. For many plaintiffs, hiring the attorney is worthwhile.

Services a Camp Lejeune Personal Injury Lawyer Will Perform for You

Whether they represent only you or several plaintiffs in a mass tort, an attorney will seek a resolution to your case. Their goal will be to secure the compensation that covers all of your damages.

Along the way, the attorney handling your Camp Lejeune lawsuit may:

  • Gather evidence related to the case: There is ample evidence that the water provided to residents of Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 was dangerous. Your attorney may gather such evidence and present it during your case. 
  • Show proof of damages: Your lawyer may obtain medical records, proof that you resided at Camp Lejeune during the specific period, and other documentation showing how you’ve suffered because of the contamination. If you join a mass tort lawsuit, then the evidence from a few plaintiffs may prove relevant to you and the other plaintiffs in the lawsuit, too.
  • Negotiate for a fair settlement: Ultimately, an attorney’s job is to get the compensation their clients deserve. Large defendants often settle cases, though this outcome is never a guarantee. Your Camp Lejeune lawsuit lawyer will negotiate for a fair settlement and may also maintain the option of going to trial.

Attorneys also handle the day-to-day details of a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, from making phone calls to submitting paperwork and arranging meetings. A lawyer will do the work. You just focus on recovery.

Attorneys also handle the day-to-day details of a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, from making phone calls to submitting paperwork and arranging meetings. A lawyer will do the work. You just focus on recovery.

Pursue Justice After Suffering Adverse Health Effects From Toxic Exposure at Camp Lejeune

You should not wait to get legal help. Many lawsuits against the U.S. government will be time-sensitive. If you wait too long, you could miss the enrollment period, or the statute of limitations may expire. 

Fill out the contact form and contact a mass torts lawyer who can lead your Camp Lejeune lawsuit during a free, no-obligation consultation. The attorney’s team may also discuss the possibility of getting VA benefits and may be instrumental in that process as well.

FAQs About Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Cases

Since Camp Lejeune is such a hot topic right now, claimants and their families have a lot of questions about their eligibility and the filing process in general. Below we have put together a list of answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding these issues.

What Is Camp Lejeune?

Camp Lejeune is a Marine Corps military base located in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

What Is the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

A. Residents, service members, and civilian employees were exposed to toxic chemicals at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987. As a result, they might have suffered various adverse health effects. In August of 2022, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 was passed to give those affected the opportunity to pursue compensation for the resulting damages.

Who Qualifies to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

A. You may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit if:

  • You worked, lived, or served at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 cumulative days from August 1953 to December 1987. This may also apply to those in utero during this time.
  • You have a qualifying health condition.

You must gather medical documentation and housing and/or employment records to substantiate your claims.

What Illnesses Have Been Linked to Toxic Water Exposure at Camp Lejeune?

A. Researchers have found causal links between exposure to the toxins in the water at Camp Lejeune and cancers and other diseases. According to the ATSDR:

  • TCE exposure appears to have caused leukemia, kidney cancer, Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, cardiac defects, scleroderma, liver cancer, Parkinson’s disease, multiple myeloma, and end-stage renal disease.
  • There’s sufficient evidence that end-stage renal disease, bladder cancer, and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma may stem from PCE exposure.
  • Exposure to benzene may contribute to Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and multiple myeloma. 
  • Vinyl chloride exposure may cause liver cancer.

Researchers have also found that sustaining exposure to a combination of TCE and PCE, especially, has led to various health complications, including:

  • Low birth weight
  • Birth defects
  • Breast cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Fetal death
  • Prostate cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Neurological and neurobehavioral effects

If you don’t see the type of illness or injury you or a loved one suffer from here, consider contacting an attorney’s office. A legal representative can help you determine if your condition qualifies.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Help Me File My Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

A. Whether you need a lawyer to help you take legal action against the government is your call. However, you may benefit from hiring one. Right now, you’re probably in pain, going through intense treatment, and trying to make ends meet.

Adding filing a case against the government, learning legal jargon, and familiarizing yourself with the claims process can only contribute to the stress of your current situation. When you get an attorney on your side, they can safeguard your right to compensation and:

  • Determine your options and eligibility to file
  • Inform you about what to expect from the legal process
  • Represent you throughout all legal proceedings
  • Gather medical documentation and other evidence to support your claims
  • Help you meet all deadlines
  • Evaluate all of your losses
  • Keep in contact with the courts, other lawyers, and other parties involved with your case
  • Negotiate a reasonable settlement that covers your damages
  • Update you on the progression of your case

How Much Will It Cost to Hire a Lawyer to Help Me With My Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

A. How much your attorney will charge you depends on the type of payment structure they use. Generally speaking, though, many firms that take on negligence claims work on a contingency-fee basis.

Under this arrangement, you won’t pay them any fees by the hour, up front, or out of pocket. They would cover all costs related to your case from start to finish, which conveniently considers your financial situation.

Your attorney will only take their payment if and when they recover your damages. This payment is a percentage that the two of you agreed upon when you hired them. Usually, it’s about one-third to 40% of your total compensation, according to the American Bar Association (ABA).

On top of serving you on a no-win, no-fee basis, many injury law firms offer a free case review when you first call them. You risk nothing and are under no obligation to hire them. This consultation gives you a chance to see if the law firm is a good fit for you.

What Is the Average Settlement of a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?

A. It’s so early on in the legal process that it’s difficult to say how much the average settlement will be for Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits. In addition, every case is unique, so the nature of your damages will depend on the following factors:

  • When and how long you were exposed to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune
  • Your age
  • Your health condition, its severity, and your prognosis
  • How your health condition affected your ability to work
  • How your health condition affected your emotional and mental well-being
  • If you lost a loved one to toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune

Generally speaking, the more serious your illness and higher your medical bills, the more compensation you may be entitled to recover. Common forms of compensation in these cases include the following:

  • Medical expenses for past, present, and anticipated treatment
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost income
  • Future loss of earning capacity
  • Mental anguish
  • Wrongful death damages

You may be able to go after other damages that we have not listed here. A lawyer can evaluate your case and determine which damages you qualify to receive.

How Could You Obtain Compensation for Your Damages?

A. You may be eligible to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Government or other liable parties. 

On August 10, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the PACT Act. This law grants unprecedented benefits to veterans who suffer health problems because of toxic exposure while in the Armed Forces—including those poisoned at Camp Lejeune.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) will also allow attorneys to file lawsuits in ​​United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This is a major development, as it was previously difficult to hold the U.S. Government legally responsible. You may be an eligible plaintiff for one of these lawsuits. 

To recap, you may receive benefits and compensation through:

1. A lawsuit against the U.S. Government

2. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Any lawsuit you file could provide benefits in addition to or in place of any VA benefits that you may receive.

Does Filing a Lawsuit Affect My VA Benefits?

A. No, filing a lawsuit and filing a VA claim for benefits are two separate things, and you may be entitled to recover compensation through both routes.

Can I File a Mass Tort Lawsuit for My Camp Lejeune-Related Illness?

As of December 2022, no Camp Lejeune cases have been consolidated into a mass tort lawsuit, as the CLJA was passed so recently. However, joining or starting a mass tort lawsuit may not be necessary, as the CLJA allows Camp Lejeune victims to file an individual lawsuit.

How Long Will It Take for My Camp Lejeune Lawsuit to Settle?

A. It’s rare to see so many people take legal action against the government to this extent. An estimated 1 million people have been affected. With all these claims coming in, it’s difficult to determine how long it will take to get your due. What’s more, the Navy has 180 days to respond to these submissions, and as of December 2022, people are still waiting for answers.

However, you can do your part to try to help move things along by filing your case sooner rather than later. Starting from August 10, 2022, you usually have two years to bring your case. Delaying could put your right to receive compensation in jeopardy.

Who Is Liable for the Damages That Camp Lejeune Victims Have Suffered?

A. The United States government is and will be the primary defendant in lawsuits related to Camp Lejeune.

Due to various laws and rules, the U.S. Government is often immune from liability for certain harmful actions. However, due to the recent passage of legislation, it will no longer be immune from lawsuits related to Camp Lejeune.

Each case is unique. Your attorney can determine if any defendants aside from or in addition to the U.S. Government owes you compensation.

Related Links

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit
What Toxins Were in the Water at Camp Lejeune?
What Caused the Toxic Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune?
Neurobehavioral Effects of Toxic Water at Camp Lejeune
Is Camp Geiger Part of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
How Do I File a Claim for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
Is There a Class Action Lawsuit Against Camp Lejeune for Water Contamination