For decades, people who worked and lived at the military base Camp Lejeune unwittingly had exposure to dangerous toxins in the water they drank, bathed in, and cleaned with. Although officials discovered and began remedying the contamination in the 1980s, people exposed to Camp Lejeune’s water supply have experienced many life-altering health issues that medical professionals have linked to the contaminated water.
Fortunately, the federal government has recently given affected people the right to pursue compensation for the losses they incurred due to the contaminated water’s harmful effects. Contact a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer for a free initial case review. We can discuss your legal options and eligibility for recovering compensation for harm and losses you’ve suffered from contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
Camp Lejeune is a U.S. Marine Corps base in North Carolina, founded in 1941. The base provides a training ground for Marines preparing for overseas deployment, including I Marine Expeditionary Force. From 1953 to 1987, the groundwater/well water supply at Camp Lejeune became contaminated with numerous toxic substances such as benzene, vinyl chloride, trichloroethylene, and perchloroethylene.
This contamination occurred due to leaks and spills from underground storage tanks, waste disposal facilities, and businesses on the base. When officials discovered the contamination in the 1980s, they found many toxic chemicals at several hundred times the acceptable limits. The contamination also affected Marine Corps Air Station New River, another Marine Corps based located minutes from Camp Lejeune.
Over one million servicemembers, contractors who worked at Camp Lejeune, and their families were exposed to the contaminated water, putting them at risk for congenital disabilities and a wide range of life-threatening illnesses. Exposure occurred from drinking or cooking with contaminated water, bathing or swimming in it, or using the water to clean dishes or clothing.
Health conditions linked to exposure to contaminated water sources at Camp Lejeune include:
In response to the fact that hundreds of thousands of people had exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune that could increase their risk of a wide range of health issues, Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, a provision in the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxins (PACT) Act.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act gives qualifying individuals the right to file a claim to recover compensation for any harm or losses they have incurred. The law expressly overrides statutes of limitations under North Carolina law that would bar the claims of most affected individuals since dangerous contamination at Camp Lejeune began in the 1950s.
Eligible claimants may file an administrative claim with the Tort Claims Unit of the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General. If the Navy does not settle or resolve the claim after six months, the claimant may file a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Individuals who served, worked, or lived at Camp Lejeune may file an administrative claim and a lawsuit if necessary, provided they meet the following criteria:
Survivors or legal representatives of eligible claimants who passed away from any conditions linked to exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may also have the right to file a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act
If you have an eligible claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, you may have the right to seek money for losses you’ve incurred or will incur due to medical harm. You could be compensated for:
If you think you may have a legal claim after exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, an attorney can help you pursue your rights by:
If you’ve suffered injuries or experienced medical complications due to exposure to water contamination at Camp Lejeune, call us today. An experienced attorney can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills and other expenses. Contact a Camp Lejeune water contamination attorney for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss whether you may have the right to pursue compensation in a lawsuit.