Congress recently made notions that would allow any veterans, family of veterans, and any other individuals that spent any time at Camp Lejeune to sue the federal government for health issues in relation to exposure to toxic, contaminated water. For the 34 years between August 1st, 1953, and December 31st, 1987, the water that was used for everyday usage like drinking, bathing, cleaning, or cooking, had contaminations at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
During this time period, even though those that worked or lived at the Marine Corps Base were unaware they were using contaminated water, the federal government was aware of the water being contaminated. However, they continuously kept using this water on the base.
As a result, for decades, those that lived or worked on base experienced exposure to the contaminated water. Only recently was the public made aware that for over 30 years, people were subject to exposure of the contaminated water on the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.
Currently, Mississippi attorneys at Pepper & Odom are investigating this case in order to help those affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Pursing legal action against the US Government will be much easier if the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 passes.
Eligibility for individuals
In contrast, it is unnecessary to be a veteran in order to be eligible to take legal action against the US government for this matter. Any spouses, children, unborn children, workers or anyone else who served at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or longer qualifies for the lawsuit.
For example, even if you were something to the effect of a groundskeeper and were not particularly employed by the military, you can still be eligible for this lawsuit. Ultimately, the lawsuit covers any individual that experienced exposure to the contaminated water while serving at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days or longer.
Contents of contaminated water
Since the early 1950s is the earliest speculation of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. In 1982, researchers were able to make the first confirmation that volatile organic compounds or VOCs, which are unsafe for human consumption, were contaminating 25% of Camp Lejeune’s water treatment.
Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace, where the water treatment facilities were located, contained VOCs, including trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride, and benzene. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the recorded VOC contamination was so high that it exceeded the max safe level by a hundred times more.
Contaminated water at Camp Lejeune related illnesses and conditions
Congress did not make a list of distinct conditions to be covered by the lawsuit. However, they did state that anyone exposed to contaminated water over thirty days and has developed health conditions as a result of it is eligible for compensation.
Some conditions that you could expect to be covered include:
- Cancers: Because of the many toxins in the water at Camp Lejeune. Cancer is relatable to almost every toxin, including TCE’s, VCM’s, PCE’s, benzine, all the contaminants that were in the water. If you have or have had cancer, you should pursue this lawsuit.
- Cardiac Defects: Any kind of cardiovascular issues that is proven to be caused by the contaminations will most likely be eligible.
- Miscarriages: Women that lived or worked at Camp Lejeune used the water just as much as anyone else, if not more. Experts now know the chemicals in the contaminated water are a direct cause of miscarriages. As a result, miscarriages will be applicable for the lawsuit because of prolonged exposure to the contaminated water for 30 days or longer.
- Parkinson’s Disease: It is a proven fact that certain environmental effects, such as the water contamination on base, can cause an individual to develop Parkinson’s disease.
- Neurobehavioral Issues: When someone ingests large amounts of toxins, it leads to a buildup in their body. Typically, this can affect the systems in your body from one end to the other, including your brain and neurological system. There have been findings that point toward people suffering from the development of chemical imbalances or behavioral conditions in relation to exposure to the contaminated water.
- Any Health Symptoms or Issues: If you have had any of these conditions or other health-related issues, you should contact a lawyer and pursue the lawsuit.
This contamination has been linked to severe illness, various forms of cancer and other health conditions, including:
- Birth Defects
- Leukemia
- Bladder Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Kidney Disease
- Systemic Sclerosis
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Multiple Myeloma
If you worked, lived, or served at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 you may be entitled to financial compensation. Call us now at 601.202.1111.
As a veteran, am I still eligible to file?
Many veterans are asking, will I still be eligible if I already receive VA benefits? Fortunately, veterans are absolutely eligible to pursue this lawsuit even if they already receive VA benefits.
However, your VA benefits can affect your Camp Lejeune water contamination claim, but the lawsuit cannot affect your VA benefits. As a veteran, it is still worthwhile for you to join this lawsuit because you can still seek restitution for the exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
Class action lawsuit versus multi-district litigation
Some people are asking, “Would this case be a class action lawsuit?” No, this particular instance is not a class action lawsuit.
In actuality, it is a multi-district litigation. Multi-district litigation is much like a class action lawsuit.
There is a class of people that are grouped into one large court room so that all the cases will be in one court. What they will do is decide the cases together as a class, but then they will actually make the final determination of the value on each case individually.
In short, the court is more likely going to go with a multi-district litigation in order to give you, the individual, what you deserve instead of what people in the class deserve. One of the main reasons lawyers and attorneys use multi-district litigation is that they find that the settlements for such lawsuits are often much higher for clients.
Is it even worth to file a claim if I've been exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune?
As far as how much you can expect for a settlement. It’s a bit too soon to put an actual value on the amount any particular settlement may be.
Unfortunately, anyone trying to tell you a particular value for a settlement is not being truthful to you. In contrast, the good news for those wanting to pursue is there is no cost to join this lawsuit.
Thinking you will not be able to pursue this lawsuit regarding contaminated water at Camp Lejeune because you cannot afford a lawyer is a grave mistake. Fortunately, that is just not how this works.
Lawsuits regarding exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune are in a contingency, so to speak. In context, this means that you only have to pay a fee if your Camp Lejeune case is successful.
Additionally, if the case is not successful, you won’t pay a penny.
Connect with Pepper & Odom if you believe you are eligible
Congress recently passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. This bill allows people who were exposed to Camp Lejeune water contamination while working, stationed, or living at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987 to file a lawsuit claim. If you were affected by Camp Lejeune water contamination between 1953 and 1987, contact us online today!
If you worked, lived, or served at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 you may be entitled to financial compensation. Call us now at 601.202.1111.