Call 903-INJURED or get a free case review on Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Lawsuit today to learn more. New laws allow those injured years ago to pursue compensation from a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.
Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Update 2022
In June 2022, the U.S. government passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, which was part of the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. The Honoring Our PACT Act focuses on addressing issues that affect veterans who were exposed to toxic materials during service.
Because of this new law, those who were exposed can now seek compensation by filing a Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water lawsuit after having been denied justice for so many years.
Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Lawsuit Background
From 1953 to 1987, the drinking water at the Camp Lejeune United States Marine Corps (USMC) Base in Jacksonville, North Carolina may have been contaminated.
During that time, nearly a million civilian workers, military service members, and their families were potentially exposed to dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer and other serious health issues.
Call 903-INJURED or get a free case review today to learn more. New laws allow those injured years ago to pursue compensation from a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.
The Lawsuit in Congress
On March 3, 2022, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act as part of a broader legislation, aimed at improving benefits for veterans exposed to toxins, called the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. The Senate Veterans Affairs Committee has now passed their version of the bill. If this bill also passes the full Senate, injured Marines and their families will finally be able to seek justice for exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
On May 24, 2022, the U.S. Senate’s Veterans Affairs Committee released text of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022, which included the House’s bill without significant alteration. On June 7, 2022, the U.S. Senate voted 86-12 for cloture on the bill, moving a step closer to legislation that would allow Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims.
The Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is home to II Marine Expeditionary Force, 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Marine Logistics Group and a naval hospital. The base and its surrounding community are home to a population of 150,000 people. Between August 1953 and December 1987, veterans and their families (children, wives) and workers living off base at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina were exposed to toxic chemicals that have been scientifically linked to serious health concerns.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act recognizes that military families consumed contaminated drinking water for decades at Camp Lejeune. Runoff from storage tanks, treatment plants and a nearby dry cleaner put Tricholorethylene (TCE), Perchloroethylene(PCE), Benzene and Vinyl Chloride in the water. All are classified by federal agencies as causes of cancers and other deadly diseases.
Multiple federal agencies have recognized the health effects of the contamination. The Department of Veterans Affairs has established a presumptive service connection for exposure to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune from August 1, 1953 through December 31, 1987 who later developed one of eight diseases.
Veterans and their families began filing suits against the U.S. government in 2005, alleging harm from exposure to contaminated drinking water. In 2016, all claims were dismissed. The court determined that claims were barred by both federal and North Carolina law. Under the Feres doctrine, service members may not sue the U.S. government for injuries incurred “incident to military service.” Under the North Carolina statute of repose, an unusual law, a plaintiff is barred from bringing a suit more than 10 years after the contamination occurs.
If the Senate passes the bill, justice might finally be available. The Feres doctrine would no longer bar claims by service members, their families or representatives who were exposed to the drinking water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. Old claims would have a new two-year window to file, even if they were previously dismissed under North Carolina law.
Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Linked to Cancer
In 1982, the U.S. Marine Corps discovered dangerous chemicals known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the drinking water at the Camp Lejeune base in North Carolina.
However, the contamination actually began in 1953 and continued to expose base workers, service members, and their families until 1987, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), though the most 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
Benzene, TCE, and VC are all classified as cancer-causing chemicals, while PCE is classified as probably carcinogenic. Exposure to these chemicals can also increase the risk of birth defects and other health problems.
If you or your loved one suffered health problems or cancer from contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you may now be eligible for compensation from a Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water lawsuit.
Who Can File a Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuit?
Anyone who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 may now be entitled to compensation from a Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water lawsuit.
Not sure about your legal options? Our team can listen to your story and let you know what your options may be. There’s no cost to speak with us, and we’re available 24/7.
Call 903-INJURED or get a free case evaluation to see if you qualify.
What to Look for in Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Attorneys
We understand what a difficult time this may be for you and your family. Even under the best circumstances, filing a lawsuit may feel overwhelming or out of reach.
With the support of an experienced legal team on your side, you can feel confident leaving the legal legwork to the professionals.
When searching for Camp Lejeune attorneys, try to find a law firm that can offer you:
- Free Legal Case Reviews: Don’t keep wondering about your legal rights. Let us try to find out what happened — and work to get you answers.
- A History of Success: At McKay Law, we’ll fight hard to get you everything you’re entitled to. We’ve recovered over $8.6 Billion for thousands of families nationwide.
- Decades of Experience: For over 40 years, McKay Law has been helping injured clients secure justice and compensation from those who wronged them.
- Nationwide Network of Attorneys: As a national law firm, McKay Law has offices in nearly every state and can help clients all across the country get the justice they deserve.
- Camp Lejeune Legal Help at No Upfront Cost: Our water contamination lawyers only get paid if your claim results in compensation.
Learn More About Your Options
How to File a Camp Lejeune Cancer Lawsuit
When you work with McKay Law, we strive to make filing a Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water lawsuit as stress-free as possible for you and your family.
If you have a case, our Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water lawsuit attorneys can handle every step of the legal process for you, so you can focus on your health and recovery.
The claims process generally includes your Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water lawsuit attorneys and legal team:
- Determining your eligibility to file a claim during a free consultation
- Building a strong case with medical records, testimony, and evidence
- Filing the Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water lawsuit on your behalf
- Negotiating Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts with the defendant
- Presenting your case in court if needed
Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Lawsuit Settlement Amounts & Verdicts
Generally speaking, a lawsuit may result in a financial payout for Camp Lejeune injuries in one of two ways:
- Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Lawsuit Settlement: Your lawyers may be able to negotiate a financial agreement called a settlement with the defendants that can allow you to start receiving compensation sooner and avoid going to court.
- Jury Verdict: If a Camp Lejeune settlement isn’t reached and your case progresses to court, a judge and jury may hear your case and decide upon an amount of compensation for your injuries in a verdict. There’s no guarantee of compensation in these cases.
Get started today by calling 903-INJURED or fill out our contact form. Let us put our 40+ years of experience to work for you.
