Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
A new federal law now opens the way for military service members, civilian employees, and their families to seek compensation for injuries caused by toxic water contamination at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was enacted by Congress and approved by the President this year.
As part of the Act, you must first file a claim within two years from the date it first took effect – two years from August 10, 2022. A lawsuit must be filed within 180 days of the claim being denied, or by August 10, 2024, if the government fails to take any action on your claim.
Who is Eligible to Make a Claim for Damages?
If you lived, worked, or were otherwise connected to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station New River (collectively known as “Camp Lejeune”), for 30 days or more between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987; and you or a loved one suffer or suffered serious health conditions, you may be eligible to sue. The contaminated water caused a variety of serious, chronic diseases and birth defects – children exposed in the womb through a mother’s exposure are also eligible.
In addition to birth defects and miscarriages, the federal government identified more than three dozen diseases caused by Camp Lejeune’s toxic water. These include:
- Cancers (including bladder, brain, breast, esophageal, liver, lung, ovarian and others)
- Leukemia
- Liver Diseases (including cirrhosis and end-stage renal disease)
- Myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Reproductive Health Conditions
- Scleroderma
Several chemicals were found in wells at Camp Lejeune:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Benzene
- Vinyl chloride
- Other compounds
For more information regarding exposure of these toxins on human health, visit the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Camp Lejeune Veterans Administration Benefits
Benefits received from the Veteran’s Administration (VA) do not affect your eligibility to participate in the legal action under this new law. You may be eligible for both. However, your award from the lawsuit may be offset by benefits previously received from the VA. Your VA benefits going forward after any award will not be affected.
Please contact us immediately if you think you or a loved one may be eligible.