In the 1950s, Camp Lejeune’s water was contaminated by chemicals used in dry cleaning processes. The chemical solvents poisoned two water treatment facilities near the Marine Corps base for over three decades, posing a significant health risk.
Because of this, anybody who worked or lived at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and suffered any qualifying illness resulting from the pollution is eligible for compensation.
But what happens after December 31, 1987? Is Camp Lejeune water still contaminated?
Well, the pollutants and hazardous solvents have since been cleared. However, the millions of people who worked or lived at Camp Lejeune and suffered catastrophic diseases and incapacitating effects, as a result, should not be overlooked.
The Background of Camp Lejeune’s Water Contamination
The water contamination issue began in the 1950s when polluted water entered Camp Lejeune through two local water treatment plants. First was the Tarawa Terrace Water Treatment Plant, which was polluted with PCE (perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene).
The problem was caused by improper disposal of waste chemicals by employees who worked at ABC One-Hour Cleaners, a dry-cleaning company. These poisons finally found their way into the Tarawa Terrace plant and circulated across the region.
Some years later, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as vinyl chloride, benzene, PCE, and trichloroethylene (TCE), were found to have polluted the Hadnot Point water treatment facility. These contaminants came from spills in industrial areas, garbage disposal sites, and leaky underground storage tanks.
Regrettably, this contaminated water kept spreading across the base without being detected until 1982, when the authorities determined there were lethal compounds in the water. However, the government did not cleanse the water until 1987.
The Dangerous Chemicals in the Water at Camp Lejeune
The tests done on the Camp Lejeune water revealed that it contained over 70 different chemicals and solvents, including:
- Tetrachloroethylene: This toxin goes by different names, including perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethene. The chemical is used for dry cleaning clothes.
- Vinyl chloride: This is a chemical used in producing PVC plastic. It may be found in numerous products, including packaging material, pipes, automotive components, and medical equipment.
- Benzene: This is an organic, colorless compound that does not dissolve fully in water. It is typically used to produce insecticides, rubber products, and detergents.
- Trichloroethylene:TCE is a substance used to produce refrigerants and metal degreasers. It is also reportedly found in carpet cleaners, paint removers, and cleaning supplies.
- Other chemicals: Pesticides and heavy metals are also found in the water, which is known to cause cancer.
Surveys have also shown that prolonged exposure to these compounds has caused severe health concerns, including cancer and other terminal illnesses.
Current Legal Updates Regarding the Camp Lejeune Justice Act
On August 10, 2022, the U.S President, Joe Biden, signed the Pact Act into law, which comprised the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
The Act enables veterans, their family members, and independent contractors who worked, lived or stayed at Camp Lejeune for 30 days (or more) between August 1953 and December 1987 to claim financial compensation for injuries resulting from the contaminated water at the base.
The main goal of this law is to close the North Carolina Statute of Repose which restricts some tort claims after a specified period.
This law also seeks to prevent the government from using immunity defenses against claims brought by this Act.
Pursuing Disability Benefits Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act
The new Act opened opportunities for those suffering from contaminated water to seek compensation.
However, there are strict requirements that you must meet before being eligible for disability benefits for the damages incurred because of your exposure.
To be eligible for compensation:
- You must have stayed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune of the Marine Corps Air Station New River for 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987.
- You were not awarded a dishonorable discharge after leaving the military.
- You have at least one of the eight presumptive medical conditions.
Presumptive health conditions
- Liver cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Adult leukemia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Aplastic anemia
Having a presumptive health condition means you will only have to prove that you were stationed at the base during the period indicated in Janey Ensminger Act to receive disability benefits.
Additional conditions linked to water contamination at Camp Lejeune
Under the Janey Ensminger Act, veterans and their families may potentially be eligible for medical benefits for 15 other diseases related to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
Although presumptive disability benefits do not cover these illnesses, individuals can still take legal action for these disorders since they are linked to contaminated water.
These other conditions include:
- Renal toxicity
- Esophageal cancer
- Scleroderma
- Breast cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Hepatic steatosis
- Miscarriage
- Female infertility
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Bladder cancer
- Leukemia
Depending on the situation, family members may pursue compensation if insurance does not cover the costs of medical care and other expenses related to these conditions.
But what if you want to determine if you are eligible for benefits under this Act? In that case, it is advisable to contact a skilled personal injury attorney immediately.
Your attorney will examine your situation, determine whether you have grounds for a case, and assist you in pursuing the compensation you deserve.
Compensation You May Be Entitled to When You File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
You might be eligible for monetary damages for the losses and disabilities you endured due to your exposure to the contaminated water if you meet the requirements of the Janey Ensminger Act.
These damages cover the cost of the following:
- Medical treatment, including hospital stays, surgeries, prescriptions, and other medical care
- Ongoing medical care costs and support
- Lost wages and reduced capacity to earn
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
- Emotional distress and other expenses
To know the kind of damages that apply to your claim, talk to an experienced personal injury attorney.
These legal experts can assess the full scope of your losses, identify which damages you can seek, and assist you in pursuing the maximum possible compensation.
Proving Your Camp Lejeune Legal Claim
The amended regulations state that you must present sufficient evidence proving that the toxic water at the base caused your losses, injuries, and damages to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
You must thus obtain records showing your time at Camp Lejeune and the connection between your health issues and the contaminated water.
These records include the following:
- Files and paperwork showing you stayed at Camp Lejeune during the specified period
- Military records to show the years you served and your stationed location
- Medical records, diagnoses, and other healthcare information that shows a link between your illness and the contaminated water
- Bills associated with your medical condition
- Records of disability benefits or VA compensation benefits
- Proof of work if you were an independent contractor at Camp Lejeune during the specified period
If you are a family member of a military member stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1953 and 1987, you may file for benefits as well. However, you must gather the following evidence that will help your attorney prepare a more convincing legal claim:
- Your marriage or birth certificate showing your relationship with the veteran who served at Camp Lejeune.
- Your housing records or other proof showing you lived on the base for at least 30 days within the stated period.
- Record of bills and medical expenses you paid for one of the covered medical conditions.
The good thing about working with an experienced personal injury lawyer is that you will not have to gather all this evidence. A lawyer can help you find the documents you need to build a solid legal claim and help you quickly obtain the files and records.
The Deadline for Filing Your Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
Although this Act enables victims to sue the government for all they endured due to the Camp Lejeune incident, the time to act is limited.
The law states that qualifying parties only have two years from when President Biden signed the Janey Ensminger Act to file a lawsuit.
They risk losing the compensation they have been waiting for all these years if they do not file within this window. So, contact a qualified personal injury attorney immediately if you think you have a valid case.
These experienced legal experts can ensure the required paperwork is prepared and submitted on time, so you get the financial recovery you need.
Camp Lejeune’s Water Today and the Future of the Base
A frequently asked question is whether the water at Camp Lejeune has since been cleaned up. So, is Camp Lejeune water still contaminated?
The answer is no. On October 1989, the government placed Camp Lejeune on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Superfund program’s National Priorities List.
This agency established a joint effort between the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ), the EPA, and the Navy, to clear out the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
But it took several years to complete the clean-up since it was a tedious process that targeted certain toxins in various locations.
The initial step of the clean-up process was to remove dangerous liquids, toxic storage tanks, batteries, drums, and contaminated soil. It also involved using chemical oxidation and electrical resistance heating to remove impurities from the ground and water.
Additionally, the Superfund program requires the Navy, EPA, and NCDEQ to review the clean-up exercises every five years. The subsequent review is slated for 2025.
The Camp Lejeune Base remains open
Although many believed that the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune would be closed following this horrific incident, the base is still operational.
The base now hosts approximately:
- 38,778 active duty members
- 38,769 family members
- 18,719 retirees and family members
- 3,349 civilians
The impact on future generations
Animal studies report that the harmful chemicals at Camp Lejeune may not harm future generations. However, much is still unknown about what could occur in the future. There are insufficient human studies concerning the long-term effects of environmental pollution on families.
Contact an Experienced Attorney to Help You!
Action may have been taken to ensure the water at Camp Lejeune is safe. But thousands of people were harmed for many years due to the government’s failure to address the water contamination issue at the Camp Lejeune base.
Fortunately, you may now successfully retaliate. If the dangerous chemicals caused you harm, you might be entitled to monetary compensation for your damages.
But it would be preferable to contact a qualified lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options. Your attorney may examine your legal options and decide how to pursue the total damages you are entitled to.
Contact us to speak to a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer today.
