What Caused Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
At 246 square miles, Camp Lejeune is larger than some cities, and until the late 1980s, it relied on wells to provide water for drinking, cooking, and bathing. Base operations also required the use of dangerous chemical solvents to clean and degrease weapons and other heavy equipment. For decades, the improper use, storage, and disposal of these solvents allowed VOCs (volatile organic compounds) to seep into the groundwater and wells used by those living and working on the base. The use of well water at Camp Lejeune ended in 1987 when contamination was detected and was measured at values hundreds to thousands of times higher than the EPA’s acceptable levels.
Who is Affected by Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
The government, through the Department of Veterans Affairs, already recognized that people were harmed by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and offered to provide medical benefits to those experiencing water toxicity-related conditions. The upcoming class-action lawsuit parallels the VA in claiming that anyone who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 may have been affected. Some estimates say this could be as many as 750,000 people.
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Health Effects From the Exposure to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
The VOCs that found their way into Camp Lejeune drinking water are known to cause certain cancers, neurological disorders, and birth defects. The most dangerous chemicals were perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), and benzene. All were found in dangerously high concentrations capable of causing serious illnesses in the near term and later in life.
Conditions Caused by Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
- ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)
- Birth Defects and Injuries
- Bladder Cancer
- Brain Damage
- Cardiac Defect
- Fatty Liver Disease
- Hepatic Steatosis
- Infertility
- Kidney Cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver Cancer
- Miscarriage
- Multiple Myeloma
- Neurobehavioral Effects
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Aplastic Anemia
- Renal Toxicity
- Scleroderma
Working with McIntyre Law
If you or a loved one have been harmed through the negligence of the military or government, we know getting the compensation you deserve can seem like a daunting task. Even if you are an indisputable member of the affected class, proving how you or a loved one was harmed in this case may involve medical records going back decades.
At McIntyre Law, our goal is to use our expertise to remove as much of the burden from you as possible. We will be there every step of the way to help you obtain the necessary medical and military records to obtain compensation for your injuries.
Do you have a case for a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit?
If you or a family member spent time at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and later experienced any of the relevant medical conditions, you are eligible for compensation. Contact us today to learn more and we can help confirm your status as a member of the affected class.
Is there currently a Camp Lejeune water contamination class-action lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit on behalf of Camp Lejeune veterans and their families is being prepared. The suit has not been filed but is expected to move forward during the summer of 2022.
Between 2009 and 2012, more than 850 lawsuits over Camp Lejeune water contamination were filed and eventually consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL). These cases were all eventually dismissed because North Carolina’s ten-year statute of limitations had expired.
Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022
Congress has recently taken up a bill that would remove all statute of limitations-based obstacles and allow those harmed by water contamination at Camp Lejeune to seek compensation through lawsuits. The bill is expected to be passed by both houses sometime in July 2022, and President Biden is expected to sign it into law.
Once the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 goes into effect, the class action process will begin. Contact McIntyre Law today, and we will start working to obtain compensation for any water toxicity injuries you obtained while providing military service to our country.
What to Know Before You File a Lawsuit
The upcoming lawsuits over water contamination at Camp Lejeune are different from most other personal injury cases. That is because the defendant, the United States government, has already admitted that the class was harmed by their actions and inactions. Additionally, the action undertaken by Congress to pave the way for future lawsuits is a further indication that these cases may not be as contentious as most.
That does not mean the process will be easy enough for any class member to undertake the process without legal help. Our experienced attorneys know what it takes to gather all of the necessary information to put you in the best position to receive compensation.
What is a contingency fee?
A contingency fee is a legal fee that an attorney agrees to accept upon successful completion of your case. They agree to a fixed percentage of any monetary rewards from your lawsuit. If there are no rewards from your Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit, your lawyer doesn’t get paid. That means we only get paid if you do.
Meet Our Camp Lejeune Attorneys
Our team of attorneys is well versed in the class-action and multidistrict litigation process. That means we take on the hard work so you don’t have to. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your case.
Statute of limitations on Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits
Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, anyone harmed by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has up to two years from the date the bill is enacted to file a lawsuit against the Federal Government. That gives veterans until the summer of 2024 to take action, but it’s best not to wait.
Compensation for Camp Lejeune water contamination illnesses
Experts agree that because of the unique nature of this case, it is hard to estimate the size of the settlements individuals can expect to receive. However, some have estimated that potential amounts could be in the neighborhood of $200,000 to $300,000.
If you’ve suffered an injury and think you need a personal injury lawyer, call us today. Our attorneys want to hear your story. Click below to call us:
(877) 917-5250
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