On September 6, 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of the Navy announced that an elective option has been approved that should greatly streamline the compensation process for service members and civilians who sustained injuries from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Public Guidance on Elective Option for Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claims can be found here. For more information, call (800)537-8185 for a free consultation with a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination attorney.
What Happened at Camp Lejeune?
In 1982, the Marine Corps identified various cancer-causing and/or potentially carcinogenic compounds in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Further investigation confirmed that the contamination occurred between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. Exposure to the chemicals involved can cause cancer, birth defects, and other serious health conditions. Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021, certain individuals became entitled to sue and recover damages for harm caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
For a free legal consultation with a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination lawyer serving New Orleans, call 800-537-8185
What Caused the Water Contamination?
The water contamination at Camp Lejeune appears to have been a combination of several toxic chemicals, including oil, industrial wastewater, degreasers, solvents, and more that was dumped into storm drains. This eventually led to a contaminated aquifer, which quickly made the local water unsafe.
The military base was labeled as a “major polluter” by the Environmental Protection Agency. In the 1980s, military reports indicated that the contamination posed a potential threat to the drinking water and the persons exposed to it. This led to water testing and improved disposal techniques; however, the water had already been polluted. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, as many as one million military personnel and their families, as well as civilian staff working at the site, may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.
Are There Negative Side Effects of Being Exposed to the Camp Lejeune Water?
Unfortunately, yes. Beyond short-term health effects, scientific and medical evidence support links between exposure to contaminated water and the development of potentially fatal diseases and other serious health conditions.
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What Specific Health Issues May be Linked to the Camp Lejeune Contamination?
Individual cases can vary, but the list of presumptive conditions for Camp Lejeune contamination cases has been identified as:
- bladder cancer
- breast cancer
- esophageal cancer
- female infertility
- hepatic steatosis
- kidney cancer
- leukemia
- lung cancer
- miscarriage
- multiple myeloma
- myelodysplastic syndromes
- neurobehavioral effects (such as Parkinson’s disease, but which may also include brain impairments such as dementia and other neurobehavioral conditions)
- non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- renal toxicity
- scleroderma
Additionally, a new sweeping study by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry is now showing additional conditions that are likely linked to the Camp Lejeune Water contamination. While the data has not yet been peer-reviewed or published, this indicates the following health effects may be included in Camp Lejeune litigation in the future.
- myeloid cancers
- polycythemia vera
- b-cell lymphoma
- oral cancers
- thyroid cancer
- acute myelogenous leukemia
- various blood disorders
- bladder cancer
What if I Have Been Exposed?
Even short-term exposure to water contaminants at Camp Lejeune could result in potentially adverse health effects. If you were exposed to drinking or other water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days and have serious health conditions, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Fortunately, there is something that can be done for the victims of water contamination at Camp Lejeune. In June of 2022, Congress passed the “Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021” to provide relief for Camp Lejeune water contamination victims.
The attorneys at Morris Bart are ready to assist persons who have suffered adverse health consequences from exposure to harmful chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune. Our highly experienced attorneys can help ensure that victims recover the maximum compensation to which they may be entitled.
How much are Camp Lejeune Water Contamination cases settling for?
From estimations based on the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) for Camp Lejeune claims, Camp Lejeune water contamination cases are currently expected to have settlement amounts between $10,000 and $500,000, depending on the severity of your illness and the strength of your case. However, these numbers are currently just estimates and are not a guarantee of certain compensation for Camp Lejeune settlements.
Can I Receive Disability and/or Health Care Benefits in Addition to Camp Lejeune Damages?
If you served at either Camp Lejeune or the Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) in New River, North Carolina, between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and have a presumptive condition, you may be eligible for government disability and/or health care benefits, which are in addition to tort damages that may be recoverable under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. The attorneys at Morris Bart are available to advise whether you or your loved one are eligible to assert a tort claim and how doing so may relate to VA disability and healthcare benefits. For a free case evaluation or to learn more about the legal options available to victims of the Camp Lejeune contamination, call us at (800)537-8185. The experienced mass tort attorneys at Morris Bart are ready to assist you. Contact us today!
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