The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is a complex process and involves many different parties. While the Marines were responsible for maintaining the infrastructure at Camp Lejeune, some of their contractors may have also contributed to the water contamination.
The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps also played a role by failing to take action until almost 30 years had passed since they first discovered contamination on base.
The History of Camp Lejeune
The history of Camp Lejeune is long and storied. It all began in the spring of 1941 when the U.S. Marine Corps established the 1st Marine Division along the Atlantic Seaboard. The property was named after Major General John A. Lejeune. However, it was later renamed Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Construction on this new base began in 1941 and was completed near the end of 1942.
Camp Lejeune was officially commissioned on December 1, 1942, and became home to more than 40,000 service members who served our country during WWII and other conflicts around the world! The base grew rapidly over time thanks to increased funding from Congress. However, many problems came with this rapid growth, such as water contamination issues due to improper water treatment at Camp Lejeune between 1953 through 1987.
The Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit
The Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit is a class action lawsuit brought against the federal government, alleging that the U.S. Marine Corps did not take proper precautions to ensure the safety of the drinking water at Camp Lejeune, which was contaminated by toxic chemicals, including benzene and trichloroethylene.
Many people stationed at Camp Lejeune claimed that they developed health problems due to these exposures, including Hodgkin’s lymphoma and liver cancer. They filed lawsuits against the companies responsible for the contamination and against the U.S. government for failing to protect them from this exposure.
The suit was filed in 2016 in the North Carolina court on behalf of all military personnel stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and their families. It seeks compensation for medical bills related to cancer, birth defects, and other illnesses caused by exposure to toxic chemicals in its drinking water.
There were over 850 cases, which were then consolidated into an MDL, numbered 2911. However, the cases were dismissed by the judge, saying that they were filed after the completion of the statute of limitations. This enraged the people, who then protested against the decision.
Now, the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit has been made a part of an Act. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act simplifies the process of filing claims and getting settlements for the problems that the veterans faced due to exposure to contaminated water.
Health Impact of Exposure to Contaminated Water
If exposed to contaminated water in the base’s drinking supply, you might be eligible for compensation from a class-action lawsuit. Throughout the 1950s and 1980s, many leaks at Camp Lejeune resulted in widespread exposure to contaminated drinking water.
In 1987, studies found links between water contamination exposure and the health problems veterans, along with their families, were facing. For instance, a study by ATSDR found that children born to mothers who drank contaminated water were at high risk of developing child cancers and other birth defects.
Similarly, the exposed were also at risk of developing other diseases, including renal toxicity, bladder cancer, miscarriage, scleroderma, leukemia, etc.
In addition to health problems caused by drinking contaminated water, many veterans have also developed problems related to other aspects of life on the base, breathing in dust particles that were contaminated by chemicals released into the air, coming into contact with toxic substances used during training exercises, living near sites where waste was dumped illegally, etc.
Will You Get Compensation for the Problems You Faced Due to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
You might be entitled to compensation if you were stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and have stayed there for at least 30 days. The Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts depend on the exposure you had to contaminated water and any health problems that developed as a result.
Compensation is also available to spouses and dependent children who lived at Camp Lejeune with their service members during this time period. If your loved one was stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, you could claim medical expenses associated with their health problems. The government will pay the compensation directly into your bank account or mailed out as a check.
You are eligible for compensation if your loved one was diagnosed with one or more illnesses listed in this article. You are also eligible if they were stationed at Camp Lejeune during an active period from August 1, 1953, through December 31, 1987. The illness was caused by drinking water contaminated with toxic substances such as benzene, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and trichloroethylene (TCE).
What Compensation Can You Expect From the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit
You can expect compensation for your medical expenses and lost wages. The amount of money will vary based on the severity of your injury. Also, suppose you have a family member affected by the contamination at Camp Lejeune who passed away before this lawsuit was filed. In that case, their estate may also be eligible for compensation if they were not included in the original lawsuit against DoD or H2O International.
In addition to monetary compensation, veterans exposed to contaminated water may also be eligible for medical care from VA healthcare providers. You should contact an experienced attorney to get the claim settlements. The lawyer will help you with everything from filing the claim to gathering evidence to show the connection between the disease you developed and the water contamination exposure.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it’s important to remember that the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is still ongoing, and you should always consult a lawyer before making any decisions about your case. If you have faced any challenges, consult with a lawyer with experience with such lawsuits and proceed with filing the claim before it’s late.
