Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

After decades of denials, people who lived or worked at the North Carolina United States Marine Corps Base may finally be able to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. Service members, civilian workers, and their family members in all 50 states may be entitled to financial compensation for injuries, illnesses, and wrongful deaths caused by the toxic drinking water, even if their exposure was decades ago.

If you or a loved one lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987, do not miss your chance to be included in a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.

Written and Fact-Checked by: Camp Lejeune Claims Center Team
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What Happened at Camp Lejeune?

Between 1953 and 1987, two of Camp Lejeune’s water treatment plants — Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point — were contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Cancer-causing VOCs from base operations and a nearby off-base dry cleaning business were released into the U.S. Marine Corps Base drinking water, exposing up to 1 million people to toxic chemicals.

Toxic materials in Camp Lejeune water may have included:

  • Benzene
  • Dichloroethylene (DCE)
  • Tetrachloroethylene — also known as perchloroethylene (PCE)
  • Trichloroethylene (TCE)
  • Vinyl chloride
  • Other contaminants

Thankfully, Camp Lejeune victims may finally be able to pursue financial compensation through a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit, even if their exposure happened decades ago.

File a free claim now to find out if you are eligible.

Camp Lejeune Health Issues Referenced in Camp Lejeune Lawsuits

Exposure to contaminated Camp Lejeune water is linked to many health issues, including cancer and birth problems. People who lived or worked on the base for at least 30 days may be at high risk.

Camp Lejeune water contamination is associated with the following conditions:

  • Adult leukemia
  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
  • Aplastic anemia
  • Birth defects
  • Bladder cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Cardiac defects
  • Cervical cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Kidney cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Lymphomas
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Prostate cancer
  • Rectal cancer
  • Scleroderma

Additionally, women exposed to Camp Lejeune water during pregnancy were at a greater risk for miscarriage or giving birth to babies with certain congenital disabilities.

If you or a loved one developed a health condition after living or working at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days, you might be newly eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water lawsuit. Do not wait. Learn about your Camp Lejeune legal options without delay.

Camp Lejeune Water: Years Involved

Experts from the federal government’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) estimate that the drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated from 1953 through 1987.

Fortunately, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act may now allow eligible victims to file a Camp Lejeune contaminated water lawsuit, even if their exposure happened decades ago.

What Does the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Mean To Victims?

In August of 2022, President Biden signed the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act into law. The PACT Act — which had strong bipartisan support — covers legal matters related to military service, including the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows eligible victims and survivors to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit against the federal government.

Who Can File a Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuit?

Anyone who lived, worked, or served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from 1953 to 1987 may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water lawsuit.

Connect with a qualified law firm without delay to find out if you are eligible. Do not miss your chance to be included. Our experienced team members are standing by, ready to help you pursue your legal claim.

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Can Veterans File a Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuit?

Yes. Veterans, active-duty military personnel, and their family members may be eligible to take legal action to recover financial compensation.

For thousands of disabled veterans who lost their ability to work due to the sacrifices they made for our nation, financial relief can not come soon enough.

Many have faced delays or denials with VA benefits, which has caused undue financial burden and concern over the future — for themselves and their loved ones.

If you or a loved one served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River for at least 30 days from August 1953 through December 1987, contact our advocates now at (866) 945-1864 or fill out this form to begin the claim process.

Camp Lejeune VA Benefits

Camp Lejeune water VA benefits are available to qualified veterans and family members who meet certain criteria. However, according to many veterans and advocates, most disability claims have been denied.

“Veterans are entitled to benefits… but the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (‘VA’) has denied the overwhelming majority of claims based on the Camp Lejeune water contamination.”
– Yale Law School

It’s believed that the high VA disability benefits denial rate is linked to a 2012 program. That program requires all Camp Lejeune claims to be reviewed by a group of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). These SMEs may be responsible for reducing the approval rate to a mere 8% of claims submitted.

If you are a veteran who was denied Camp Lejeune benefits — or even if you are currently receiving benefits — you may be newly eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water lawsuit. Contact us now to be included in this tremendous opportunity for military members to get justice.

Can Surviving Family Members File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?

If a loved one passed away from an illness believed to be related to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune, you might be able to file a lawsuit on their behalf.

Contact our team today to find out if you are eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.

Is There a Camp Lejeune Water Class Action Lawsuit?

Attorneys for victims have attempted several Camp Lejeune water lawsuits in the past. Still, since the federal government is generally immune to lawsuits related to military service, none have been successful.

However, thanks to the tireless efforts of veterans, survivors, and advocates over the past few decades, new laws have opened doors for Camp Lejeune victims to pursue justice.

Since the PACT Act has recently passed, it is impossible to know all the potential legal opportunities at this time. Some victims may qualify for Camp Lejeune water class action lawsuits.

Contact us now to be included in this historic legal opportunity for disabled veterans and their loved ones.

Camp Lejeune Settlement Amounts

Since there have not been past successes with Camp Lejeune water lawsuits, there is no way to determine how much settlement amounts will be at this time.

However, based on how similar types of lawsuits work, Camp Lejeune water contamination victims may be able to get money for:

  • Medical care
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future earnings
  • Pain and suffering

Additionally, Camp Lejeune contaminated water survivors may be eligible to file wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of loved ones who passed away. Camp Lejeune settlements could include compensation for funeral expenses and past medical bills.

Camp Lejeune Water Law Firms

The best Camp Lejeune water law firms are personal injury firms that have been involved in the fight to get legal options for Camp Lejeune water supply victims.

Camp Lejeune Claims Center can put you in touch with VA-accredited attorneys who are familiar with toxic exposure lawsuits. We can connect victims in all 50 states to qualified law firms for a free Camp Lejeune water case evaluation.

There is no cost or obligation. Contact us today to get your free consultation.

How to File a Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuit

If you or a loved one was exposed to the toxic drinking water for at least 30 days between 1953 to 1987, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water lawsuit.

Start filing your Camp Lejeune legal claim today. Our Camp Lejeune advocates are standing by, day and night, ready to help you.

Contact the Camp Lejeune Claims Center without delay for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Camp Lejeune Claims Center logo, a droplet with white stars and blue, red, and white stripes.Written by:

The Camp Lejeune Claims Center exists to help military veterans harmed by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to get the financial compensation they deserve. We're ready to help you — at no out-of-pocket cost to you or your family.

9 References

  1. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). (2017, January). Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/hac/pha/MarineCorpsBaseCampLejeune/CampLeJeune_Water_Factsheet_508.pdf

  2. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). (2014, January 16). Chemicals involved. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/lejeune/chem_descriptions.html

  3. Barrett, S. (2022, June 24). Camp Lejeune water contamination claims. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo/topics/camp-lejeune-water-contamination-claims.html#:~:text=Who%20Can%20File%20a%20Camp,in%20connection%20with%20the%20exposure.

  4. Bergin, M. (2022, June 23). Bill to provide compensation for Camp Lejeune water contamination victims heads to president Biden’s desk. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://www.wral.com/bill-to-provide-compensation-for-camp-lejeune-water-contamination-victims-heads-to-president-biden-s-desk/20344941/

  5. Bove, F., Ruckart, P., Maslia, M., & Larson, T. (2014, February 19). Evaluation of mortality among Marines and Navy personnel exposed to contaminated drinking water at USMC Base Camp Lejeune: A retrospective cohort study – environmental health. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://ehjournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1476-069X-13-10

  6. Congress.gov. (2021). H.R.2192 – Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/2192/text?r=215&s=1

  7. Sokolove Law. “Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit.” Retrieved from: https://www.sokolovelaw.com/personal-injury/camp-lejeune-water-contamination/. Accessed on June 27, 2022.

  8. US Department of Veterans Affairs. (2022, March 07). Camp Lejeune water contamination health issues. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://www.va.gov/disability/eligibility/hazardous-materials-exposure/camp-lejeune-water-contamination/

  9. Yale Law School. (n.d.). Camp Lejeune. Retrieved June 27, 2022, from https://law.yale.edu/studying-law-yale/clinical-and-experiential-learning/our-clinics/veterans-legal-services-clinic/camp-lejeune

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