What’s the Latest With Camp Lejeune?

Posted August 28, 2022 by Parker Waichman LLP Team

Several prominent sources have verified that the drinking water at the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina was contaminated and may have caused serious health issues.
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Sadly, almost a million veterans, civilian workers and their families prior to 1988 were potentially exposed to dangerous cancer-inducing chemicals.
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Fortunately, in August 2022, a bill was passed to provide restitution for the victims impacted by this disaster. Since 2012 the VA has already agreed to pay out over $2 Billion in disability benefits to veterans and their families harmed by the toxic water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
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Additionally, The U.S. government has agreed to allow legal claims against the Marine Corps, seeking compensation in addition to disability payments approved by the VA.
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If you or your loved one suffered health problems or cancer from contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you may be eligible for compensation from a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.

Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune Linked to Cancer

In 1982, the U.S. Marine Corps finally acknowledged that dangerous chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were in the drinking water at the Camp Lejeune base in North Carolina.

These dangerous chemicals were found in the drinking water at the Camp Lejeune base by the U.S. Marine Corps in the 1960’s. Pesticides, construction solutions, truck fuel, and ammunition were dumped in the water.
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Unfortunately, the contaminated water had first permeated the area in 1953. Base workers, service members, and their families were impacted until 1987, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Most of the contaminated wells were removed from service in February 1985.

The toxic VOCs found in the drinking water included:

Benzene:
Used to make other chemicals that compose plastics, resins, and nylon and synthetic fibers

Tetrachloroethylene:
(Also known as ​​perchloroethylene or PCE): For dry cleaning and metal degreasing

Trichloroethylene (TCE):
A solvent used to clean metal parts

Vinyl chloride (VC):
Over time, TCE and PCE in groundwater degrade to become VC

VC, Benzene, TCE are all classified as cancer-causing chemicals, while PCE is considered a probable carcinogenic. People who get exposed to these chemicals also can have birth defects or other health problems.  At some point during that period, there was 3,400 times the maximum safe amount of these toxic VOCs in the water at Camp Lejeune.

This predicament occurred because of the following reasons:

• Storage tanks leaked
• Facilities were repurposed
• Wells were built right next to dumps

Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Update for 2022

In August 2022, the U.S. Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 as part of the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. This act addresses issues that impact veterans exposed to toxic materials during service.
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Due to this law, individuals exposed to the dangerous chemicals can receive compensation if they file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.

What did they dump in the water?

• Pesticides
• Cleaning solutions
• Truck fuel
• Ammunition

How did it happen?

• Storage tanks leaked
• Wells were built next to dumps
• Facilities were repurposed
• Expansion was rapid. They weren’t careful.
• No rules. No inspections.

Who Can File a Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuit?

You may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit if you or your loved one:

• Was exposed to contaminated drinking water for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987
• Suffered cancer or other health issues related to water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

Our team is available to listen to your story and discuss what  legal options may be available to you and your family.

There’s no cost to speak with us, and we’re available 24/7.

Call now 1-800-360-8494  to receive a free case evaluation to determine if you qualify.