Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

If you or a loved one were diagnosed with cancer or suffered adverse health effects after exposure to water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation.
People living or working at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina between 1953 and 1987 were exposed to contaminated water that has been linked to a range of serious health conditions, including but not limited to cancer and death.

The USMC discovered a number of hazardous chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (“VOCs”) in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune in 1982. However, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (“ATSDR”), the contamination began in 1953 and continued to expose active duty and former military service members, their families, non-military staff, and civilians until 1987.

Over one million people living at Camp Lejeune during this time period were exposed to the contaminated water—making it one of the worst cases of water contamination in United States history.

What was Discovered in the Water at Camp Lejeune?

According to the ATSDR, the dangerous VOCs discovered in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune included:

• Benzene, which is used in the production of chemicals for plastics, resins, and nylon and synthetic fibers
• Tetrachloroethylene (also known as ​​perchloroethylene or “PCE”), which is used for metal degreasing and dry cleaning
• Trichloroethylene (“TCE”), a solvent used to clean metal parts
• Vinyl chloride (“VC”), a dangerous compound created by TCE and PCE in groundwater degrading over time
• Nearly 70 other toxic substances

The ATSDR has published numerous articles detailing the strong links between water contamination and serious illness and death.

Benzene, TCE, and VC are all known carcinogens, or substances that cause cancer. PCE is classified as a probable carcinogen. The known carcinogens found in the water at Camp Lejeune were at up to 280 times the standard safety level. Exposure to these hazardous chemicals through drinking, cooking, cleaning, and bathing water caused a myriad of health complications, including but not limited to a variety of cancer diagnoses, Parkinson’s disease, stillbirths, infertility, and miscarriages.

Individuals who suffered from adverse health effects after exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 may qualify for a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.

What Health Conditions Are Linked to Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?

Currently, there are at least 8 medical conditions for which there is enough medical and scientific evidence to support a presumption that the cause was water contamination, called “Presumptive Conditions.”

Individuals seeking compensation will need to submit records showing exposure for at least thirty (30) days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and evidence of one or more of the following presumptive conditions:

• Leukemia
• Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
• Bladder cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s Disease

Other conditions that may qualify under the Act include:

• Esophageal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Renal toxicity
• Female infertility
• Scleroderma
• Lung cancer
• Hepatic steatosis
• Miscarriage
• Neurobehavioral effects (like headaches, lack of coordination, sensory disturbances, cognitive decline, and mental health conditions)

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, introduced in the House of Representatives in January 2022, has now passed in both the House and the Senate: in March 2022, the House of Representatives voted 256 to 174 to pass the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, which includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and other legislation related to toxic exposures. On June 16, 2022, the Senate passed the Act by a vote of 84 to 14.

Once President Biden signs the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, it will become federal law and empower active duty and former marines, their families, non-military staff, and civilians who were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune (including any infant who was in-utero on the base during this timeframe) to exercise their constitutional right to legal action against the U.S. government for the injuries and damages caused by their exposure.

Under the Act, impacted individuals who meet the following criteria would be entitled to seek compensation:

1. Exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987;
2. Exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of thirty (30) days*; and
3. Suffered adverse health effects linked to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

*Days of exposure at Camp Lejeune do not need to be consecutive to qualify for compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

Because the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is not yet federal law, victims cannot file a case until it is enacted. From the date of enactment of the statute, victims will have two years to file—so it is advantageous to develop a relationship with an attorney familiar with the case and determine if you qualify now.

Speak with an Attorney Today

The experienced attorneys at Walton Telken Bragee are now evaluating Camp Lejeune Water Contamination cases and can help you determine whether you qualify.

Walton Telken wants to talk to you directly. When you contact our office, you can expect that a highly qualified member of our legal team will take the time to learn about the unique circumstances of your potential case and answer any questions you may have.

Unlike many law firms, Walton Telken Bragee does not use an off-site call center to screen potential cases. For that reason, we may not be available outside of business hours. However, one of our legal staff will contact you as soon as possible.

Troy E. Walton

In his two decades of practice, Troy E. Walton has successfully resolved several plaintiff’s personal injury cases resulting in significant recoveries to his clients. Troy’s compassionate client advocacy has also resulted in major successes against powerful entities such awaltons the U.S. Army and the Illinois State Troopers. In recognition of these results and others, Troy was inducted into the Million Dollar Advocate’s Forum – an organization whose members include many of the top trial lawyers in the United States.

Years of experience: Over 25 years
Bar Admissions: Illinois, 2001 and Missouri, 2000
Location: Edwardsville, IL.