Camp Geiger is a Marine Corps base located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. It was also a part of Camp Lejeune, which is currently the focus of a huge water contamination scandal.
The question is, is Camp Geiger part of Camp Lejeune water contamination?
The short answer is no. Camp Geiger is not part of the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit because the water at this base was not contaminated.
However, you may have become ill after exposure to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water. In that case, you may qualify to file a lawsuit and seek compensation for your damages.
Read this post to the end to learn more about Camp Lejeune water contamination and how to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Did Camp Geiger Have Contaminated Water?
Camp Geiger is based within the larger Camp Lejeune. However, the two marine corps bases were not in the same geographical boundary and did not use the same water source.
A report from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) highlighted that Camp Geiger had a different and uncontaminated water source.
That means if you were deployed at Camp Geiger, you had access to clean water for drinking and bathing.
Nevertheless, you might have come into contact with contaminated water in other parts of the base. Therefore, you could be eligible to file a personal injury claim.
What Military Bases Served Contaminated Water?
Water used in the barracks and homes was treated in eight treatment plants. These plants included Tarawa Terrace, Holcomb Boulevard, New River, Courthouse Bay, Onslow Beach, Hadnot Point, Montford Point/Camp Johnson, and Rifle Range.
Of these plants, Hadnot Point, and Tarawa Terrace were contaminated. Although not initially contaminated, contaminated water from Hadnot Point seeped into Holcomb Boulevard, thereby making the water infected.
The contaminated water from the three plants served:
- The majority of bachelors’ quarters and barracks (Served by Hadnot Point)
- Paradise Point, Berkeley Manor, and Midway Park (Served by Hadnot Point before June 1972)
- Paradise Point, Watkins Village, Midway Park, Berkeley Manor (Served by Holcomb Boulevard and Hadnot Point before June 1972)
- Hospital center (Served by Hadnot Point)
- Knox Trailer Park (served by Montford Point/Camp Johnson and Tarawa Terrace)
- Tarawa Terrace (Served by the Tarawa Terrace plant)
The water plants that served Camp Geiger, New River, Courthouse Bay, Rifle Range, and Camp Johnson were uncontaminated. Therefore, the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit does not cover these bases.
Who Qualifies for a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 was enacted in August 2022. The Act allows those who developed health issues due to Camp Lejeune water contamination to take legal action against the government.
In accordance with this legislation, you may be eligible to file a case against the government or Marine Corps Air Station New River if you can demonstrate that:
- You worked at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune
- You were on active duty.
- You were based at the camp between August 1953 and December 1987
- You served for at least 30 days.
- You developed a qualifying health condition due to exposure to the contaminated water.
Residents, civilian workers, and family members can also file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.
Which Conditions Qualify for a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) states that a person may be eligible to file a lawsuit if they have particular medical conditions. Some of the qualifying medical conditions include:
- Aplastic anemia
- Leukemia
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
A person with any of these conditions qualifies to file a lawsuit. Many other conditions resulting from the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may also qualify.
Steps to Take to Apply for Benefits
You might have suffered exposure to contaminated water if you resided or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987. The US government recently recognized the issue and developed a scheme to help those afflicted.
Here are some steps you can take to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit if you believe you were exposed to contaminated water:
1. Prove You Were at Camp Lejeune
You must demonstrate that you were deployed at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987. You can find information on how to get your service records on a website set up by the VA.
2. Share Medical Records Proving Illness
Once you have established your presence at Camp Lejeune, provide medical records showing you became ill. That is crucial because it will support the argument that the source of your present health issues is contaminated water.
Provide as much information as possible, such as your treatment dates, diagnosis, and other pertinent details. Once more, the more information you can offer, the better.
3. File a Veteran Affairs Claim
Present a copy of your DD-214 or any other discharge documents when filing a disability claim with the VA. You may file the claim online on the VA website or send the required paperwork by mail.
4. Wait for VA to Process the Claim
The VA usually takes 125 days to process a claim. The VA will contact you to schedule an appointment if you qualify for medical, back pay, and disability benefits. If your claim is linked to deployment at Camp Lejeune, the Department of Defense may also contact you.
5. Find a Lawyer and File a Lawsuit
If your claim for benefits is denied, hire a lawyer specializing in these cases. A personal injury attorney can guide you through the appeals procedure and increase your chances of being approved for benefits.
What Damages Could I Collect in a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
You may have suffered so many losses due to your health condition.
For example, you might be dealing with pain and suffering on top of the financial loss from medical expenses and a reduced capacity to earn. You could recover these damages by filing a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.
You may also sue for wrongful death damages, including funeral costs and loss of consortium if you lost a loved one to any qualifying health conditions. With the damages, you might be able to assist your family and possibly find some closure.
You have up to two years from when the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 became law to file a lawsuit. Since the Act was enacted in August 2022, the deadline for filing a case is August 2024.
In 2022, a service member that was affected by the Camp Lejeune contamination received $100,000 in benefits from the VA. In that case, a Marine was awarded this amount because he had developed kidney cancer. This serves as an example of the types of claims you can bring, and the amount you may be awarded.
Contact a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Attorney
Although Camp Geiger is based within Camp Lejeune, its water supply was not contaminated. That means you cannot file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit if you served at Camp Geiger.
However, you may be eligible for VA benefits if you are a veteran stationed at Camp Geiger. Legal Giant can link you with an experienced attorney to help you seek the justice you deserve. Contact us for a free consultation today.
