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Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

Military servicemembers, contractors, and civilians living at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987 were exposed to toxic chemicals in the local water supply.

Cutter Law team

The government reportedly knew about the dangerous situation but did nothing. Victims may have the right to file a lawsuit and demand compensation for resulting health issues.

Between 1953 and 1987, the water supply for military personnel, civilians, and their families stationed at the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in North Carolina was heavily contaminated with dangerously toxic levels of trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

There’s evidence that the Navy knew – or should have known – that the water supply at Camp Lejeune was contaminated and unsuitable for human consumption. Still, they did nothing, putting millions of lives at risk. 

If you or a family member lived there and have been diagnosed with a serious medical condition – such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or other types of cancer – you may have the right to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. Our skilled personal injury lawyers can review your case during a free consultation and provide helpful information on your legal options for recovery. 

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Why Are People Filing Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits?

Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps military base in Onslow County, NC, opened in 1942. It covers 150,000 acres and spans 11 miles of North Carolina’s coast, making it the country’s second-largest USMC base.

For years, millions of military servicemembers were stationed there, along with their family members and civilians. 

Unfortunately, there’s evidence that from 1953 to 1987 the water supply at Camp Lejeune was heavily contaminated by dangerous chemicals and toxins.

The most notable toxins included trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), Benzene, and Vinyl chloride (VC), which are all associated with increased risks of cancer, neurologic disorders, and other serious health conditions.

It’s believed that a nearby dry cleaner, which opened near Camp Lejeune in 1953, dumped these and other toxic chemicals near local water well fields, causing mass contamination. Additionally, the military itself is accused of allowing the water wells to become contaminated through its own use of these VOCs on the base.

Lawsuits allege that the government knew that the water supply was contaminated yet fails to:

  • Take necessary steps to prevent contamination and provide potable water, or 
  • Warn servicemembers or residents about the potential risks of consuming the water supply.

As a result, millions of service members and residents were exposed to these dangerous chemicals for the better part of three decades. Many of those individuals – including children who were in utero and/or born at the military base – are struggling with debilitating health issues.

Lawsuits have been filed to hold the government accountable for its negligent actions.

Photo of a building at Camp Lejeune
Photo by: Leonard J. DeFrancisci, CC BY-SA 3.0

Who Can File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?

Anyone who lived on Camp LeJeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 and has: 

  • (a) lost a family member or
  •  (b) been diagnosed with an illness related to VOC exposure,

 may have the right to file a lawsuit.

Illnesses and diseases that may be related to PCE and TCE water contamination at Camp Lejeune include:

  • Bladder cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Leukemia
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Aplastic anemia or other myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Hepatic steatosis
  • Liver disease
  • Neurological disorders
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Scleroderma
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes, such as Aplastic anemia

Infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, and birth injuries are also associated with water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

What Are the Camp Lejeune Justice and Honoring Our Pact Acts?

More than 800 Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits were filed across the nation in 2016. However, after the lawsuits were consolidated into a Multi-District Litigation, or MDL, a federal court held that the claims were barred under North Carolina’s 10-year statute of repose.

Essentially, state law prohibits these types of injury claims from being filed more than 10 years after an injury occurs.

However, in 2021, members of Congress introduced the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA). In 2022, the CLJA was consolidated into another bill – the Honoring Our Pact Act (PACT), which addresses remedies for veterans who have been exposed to toxic chemicals during their tours of service.

On August 2, 2022, the Senate voted 86-11 to approve the Honoring Our PACT Act. The bill has been sent to President Biden who already said he would sign the bill quickly. Victims will now have the right to file a water contamination lawsuit against the government and seek compensation.

What’s My Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim Worth?

It depends. Every victim will have been exposed to different levels of TCE and PCE for different periods of time. And exposure will affect everyone differently.

While every case will be different, there are a number of factors that will impact how much money you can get if you file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.

Important considerations include:

  • The illnesses or diseases you’ve been diagnosed with
  • Your prognosis
  • The past, future, and medical expenses you have because of your water contamination illness
  • The income you’ve lost out on because of your disease
  • Other out-of-pocket expenses
  • The pain and suffering you’ve endured
  • Your age

The more serious your health issues and the more your life has been affected by your illness, the more your case will likely be worth.

The best way to get an idea of how much a settlement in your Camp Lejeune water contamination case might be is by consulting an experienced personal injury lawyer.

At Cutter Law P.C., our top-rated trial attorneys are standing by to provide the guidance you need. Give us a call to arrange a time for your free, no-obligation case evaluation now.

How Can an Attorney Help Me With My Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Case?

Now that the PACT Act has become law, you will have a limited time to assert your right to file a lawsuit. The process can be complicated, and you can be certain that the government will challenge the validity of your claim. Hiring an attorney to represent you and handle your fight for damages is one of the best decisions you can make.

Our Camp Lejeune water contamination attorneys are here to make things as easy for you.

We’ll handle the claims process on your behalf from start to finish:

  • Gather evidence and documentation that proves your diagnosis is related to the water you consumed while living at or near Camp Lejeune
  • Enlist the help of respected experts and specialists as we prepare and value your case
  • File a water contamination lawsuit within the time allotted by the PACT Act
  • Negotiate with government counsel and other parties on your behalf
  • Passionately argue your case at trial if you aren’t offered reasonable terms in a settlement

You’ve been through enough. Let Cutter Law P.C. take on your fight for compensation. We are prepared to invest the resources and time that are needed to get you the best possible outcome in your Camp Lejeune water contamination case.

What Will it Cost to Hire a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyer?

We don’t want the fear of the cost of a lawyer to stand between you and the legal representation you deserve. After all, hiring a wrongful death or personal injury lawyer can help you increase the odds of a win and help you maximize your financial recovery.

That’s why our firm works on contingency. We don’t get paid unless we win your case. In fact, we’ll even cover the costs of litigation upfront. You only pay for our top-rated legal representation when we get you a settlement or win a jury verdict for you at trial.

Photo of Marines at Camp Lejeune

Call to Discuss Your Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Today

A contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune has changed the lives of millions of people forever. Unfortunately, it appears that the government could have taken steps to prevent the devastation that’s occurred. Cutter Law P.C. is here to demand accountability for all victims.

If you lived at or near the North Carolina military base between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 and have been diagnosed with a debilitating illness, don’t hesitate to contact us for help. We are ready to help you file a water contamination lawsuit and seek the compensation you deserve for your medical bills, lost wages, and suffering. 

Your first case evaluation is 100 percent free. Our compassionate legal team is standing by right now to take your call. Reach out to us to begin the first steps toward a meaningful financial recovery today.

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