Did You Live or Work Near Camp Lejeune Between 1953 and 1987?
If you answered yes and have dealt with serious medical conditions, you may qualify for a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. Our legal team is assisting people who may have been exposed to toxic substances in the water, including the following:
- Veterans
- Family members
- Civilian contractors
- And others
The Carlson Law Firm is a Veteran-Owned and Operated Law Firm dedicated to ensuring Veterans receive everything they deserve when they’ve been hurt or denied compensation. Contact us at 800-359-5690 to discuss how we can help. We offer free, no-obligation case reviews to discuss your legal options. Find out how our Camp Lejeune Lawyers can assist with your claim.
What is Camp Lejeune?
Camp Lejeune is a Marine base located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Between January 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, over one million people were exposed to toxic substances in the water supply wells that fed the camp.
Over a 34-year period, thousands of Marines, civilian contractors, and their families were exposed to this incredibly dangerous and toxic water. The families drank, cooked and bathed with this water. In 1982, the Marine Corps discovered specific volatile organic compounds that were provided by two of the eight water treatment plans on base. Most of the contaminated wells were shut down in 1985.
If you or someone you know was affected by the Camp Lejeune water contamination issue, you may be entitled to compensation for past, current and future medical bills, lost wages, quality of life and much more.
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We are a veteran owned and operated law firm dedicated to serving our fellow vets. If you lived or worked near Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and have dealt with serious medical conditions, you may have a legal claim.
What caused the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
Water contamination at Camp Lejeune was caused by leaks and spills from various sources, including:
- Leaking underground storage tanks
- Industrial area spills
- Wastewater disposal sites
In the early 1980s, as required by new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards, the Marine Corps began monitoring Camp Lejeune water quality for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). According to the federal government, the Marine Corps didn’t discover VOCs until 1982. The VOCs included dry cleaning solvents, degreasers, and about 70 other hazardous chemicals.
How do I File a claim for Camp Lejeune?
Before collecting payment from the Camp Lejeune lawsuits, the U.S. Senate must pass the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. The bill is expected to pass the senate sometime in the summer of 2022 and President Joe Biden is expected to sign it.
For Camp Lejeune claim eligibility:
- You or a family member must have lived on or near the base between 1953 and 1987.
- A doctor must have diagnosed you with a medical condition related to toxic water on the military base.
- You must submit the proper documents.
A Camp Lejeune lawyer will be able to help you determine the documentation you need to file a claim.
I’m a family member who lived at Camp Lejeune; what documentation do I need for a claim?
Family members who lived on or near the Marine Corp Base may also file a Camp Lejeune claim. In addition to proof that you lived on or near the base, family must provide documentation showing your dependent status or relationship to the service members. To prove your relation, you can use the following:
- Military ID
- Marriage License
- Birth Certificate
- Adoption papers
If you are a family member who suffered serious medical conditions after living at Camp Lejeune, contact our firm at 800-359-5690 for assistance in filing a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit.
What is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 is a bipartisan bill that will permit those exposed to contaminated Camp Lejeune drinking water between 1953 and 1987 to file a claim. Our Camp Lejeune attorneys will file these claims under the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
The bill was co-sponsored by five Democrats and four Republicans. It aims to ensure those suffering illnesses and injuries after exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune will receive just compensation for their health conditions.
The bill has been rolled into the larger Honoring our PACT Act, a bill aimed at addressing toxic exposure during military service. The Pact ACT has passed the House of Representatives and is expected to receive Senate approval and be signed into law by President Biden.
Will I be able to file a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act if I was denied before?
Yes. As long as it passes the Senate, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act will override North Carolina’s statute of limitations for injury claims. Ultimately, the PACT ACT will allow those previously barred from seeking justice a two-year window to file a claim.
How will the Camp Lejeune Justice Act help Marine Corps Veterans?
As noted above, President Biden is expected to sign the Camp Lejeune Justice Act sometime in July or August 2022. This act will allow those exposed to “obtain appropriate relief for their harm” in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
The act allows our Camp Lejeune attorneys to help you recover damages such as:
- Medical costs (past, present and future)
- Lost wages
- Future lost income
- Health and disability benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death compensation on behalf of a lost loved one
How long do I have to file a Camp Lejeune Claim?
Camp Lejeune toxic water victims have two years from when the bill passes or 180 days after receiving a denial of an initial Camp Lejeune claim to file a lawsuit under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. It is extremely important that you act now. The time to file these claims is limited, so ensure your voice is heard. A skilled Camp Lejeune Lawyer can help you recover the compensation owed to you and your loved ones.
Source of Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune
Camp Lejeune received water from the Tarawa Terrace Water Treatment Plant, Hadnot Point Water Treatment Plant and Holcomb Boulevard Water Treatment Plant in North Carolina.
Primarily Camp Lejeune water contamination resulted from contaminants at Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point. Dangerous contaminants mostly didn’t affect the Holcomb Boulevard supply except for when it received transfers from Hadnot Point between 1972-1985.
PCE and vinyl chloride contaminated the Tarawa Terrace water supply. PCE is a colorless liquid, most commonly used for dry cleaning. It wound up in Tarawa Terrace as a result of waste disposal practices of an off-base dry cleaning company. The Agency for Toxic Substance & Disease Registry (ATSDR) indicated that the Tarawa Terrace Treatment plant consistently exceeded EPA contaminated standards for PCE between 1957 and 1987.
Similarly, TCE, PCE and refined petroleum products such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes contaminated the Hadnot groundwater supply. The source of Hadnot Point groundwater contamination was largely underground storage tank leaks, industrial area spills and water disposal sites.
Side Effects of Contaminated Water Exposure
Currently, there is legislation making its way through Congress that will clear a path for Marine Corp Members, civilian contractors and their families who lived, served or worked at Camp Lejeune for more than 30 days to recover monetary damages for several illnesses and health conditions.
Those diagnosed with one or more of the following may be able to pursue compensation:
- Esophageal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Leukemia
- Aplastic Anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
- Miscarriage
- Female infertility
- Hepatic Steatosis (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease)
- Parkinson’s Disease
*This is not an exhaustive list of health conditions related to Camp Lejeune. In reality, ingesting toxic water can result in a variety of illnesses. No matter what your medical diagnosis, contact The Carlson Law Firm to schedule a free consultation.
In addition, children born to mothers who drank the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune were four times more likely to develop birth defects, such as spina bifida. Further, these babies had a slightly elevated risk of childhood cancers.
It doesn’t matter how long ago you were diagnosed—a free consult with an attorney as soon as possible will help you determine if you, your spouse, or your children are eligible for a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit.
My Loved One Died, can I file a Camp Lejeune Claim on their behalf?
Yes. A wrongful death lawsuit may be an option if you lost a loved one to a medical condition and they served at Camp Lejeune. Contact our firm at 800-359-5690 to schedule a free consultation today.
Will I need a lawyer to file a claim?
Technically no. However, because these are incredibly complex legal matters, it’s important that you have an attorney with knowledge and experience on your side. These cases will involve an extensive amount of paperwork that requires expert knowledge of the law. Your attorney will know the right paperwork to file, medical records to submit, and other materials you’ll need for a successful claim.
Who will be eligible for a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim?
Anyone who lived, served, or worked on the Camp Lejeune base for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987. This includes adults, children, and even children who were in utero at the time.
Diagnosed with a condition listed above? If one of your parents was a Marine, ask your parents about your possible exposure to Camp Lejeune water.
The Carlson Law Firm is a Veteran-owned and operated law firm with several former Marines on our team. We defend the rights of our fellow military servicemembers.
What is the Camp Lejeune Presumptive Diseases Rule?
The Camp Lejeune Presumptive Diseases Rule is a document released by the VA. It states the eight diseases presumed to be service-connected and explains who is eligible for disability compensation. The rule went into effect on March 14, 2017.
What does “presumption of service-connection” mean?
“Presumption of service-connection” means that the VA automatically assumes the listed illnesses were caused by military service. In other words, as long as an eligible service-member can prove they have one of these eight diseases, they are entitled to disability compensation.
Get the Help You Deserve
Justice for victims of Camp Lejeune contaminated water is long overdue. If you served, lived or worked on the Camp Lejeune base for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987, we can help.
Our personal injury lawyers are helping Camp Lejeune victims from all 50 states. We’re available 24/7 to discuss your legal options..