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Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyer Near Me

Decatur and Huntsville Camp Lejeune Injury Attorneys

Two of the eight water treatment facilities that provided drinking water tainted with volatile organic compounds from 1953 to 1987 were located at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in North Carolina. The contaminated water that has led to cancer, death, miscarriages, numerous serious illnesses, and other life-altering health issues was exposed to almost 1,000,000 oblivious Marines, Sailors, their families, and civilian personnel working at Camp Lejeune during this time. Even worse, it has come to light that certain top military figures were aware of the dangers but kept quiet about them. After years of denial and deception, the federal government revealed those residing at the camp, or Marine Corps Air Station New River, for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, drank, bathed in, swam in, and cooked with water poisoned with these microscopic chemicals.(military, children, spouses, and civilian workers) The severity of illness caused by Camp Lejeune water is directly related to the amount of exposure and way you were exposed, the length of exposure, the age of exposure, and any pre-existing medical conditions. The severity of illness caused by toxicity also depends on how the exposure happened, age, sex, diet, genetic disposition, and lifestyle habits of the exposed. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows anyone who lived or worked at the base from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, for at least 30 days, exposed to the contaminated water and suffered injuries, to file a claim against the U.S. government.

Between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, if you or a loved one were stationed, residing, or employed at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days (may be satisfied in a non-continuous manner), you might be entitled to compensation for past, current, and future medical bills, lost wages, loss of quality of life, and much more from drinking the highly toxic and contaminated water. The chemicals include the following:

• Benzene: Benzene contaminated water is linked to Leukemias and Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and well as Multiple Myeloma.(plastics, resins, nylon and synthetic fibers)
• Perchloroethylene (PCE):Exposure can lead to bladder cancer and other health effects.(metal degreasers, dry-cleaning agents, manufacturing other chemicals)
  Producing paint
• Trichloroethylene: Ingested, inhaled or absorbed through the skin, exposure can potentially lead to kidney cancer, Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, other cancers, or cardiac effects.(degreaser product for metal machinery
• Vinyl chloride: Heavily linked to liver cancer and other cancers. (Used to make a variety of plastic products including pipes, wire and cable coatings, and packaging materials.)

The government did start informing veterans about potential exposure to dangerous substances in the water eventually—in fact, decades later.
It was understood that a number of common ailments could contribute to disease. Several conditions were listed as possible causes of illness. Now that the true facts are out, because of the work of the The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten, a complete list of the conditions believed to stem from prolonged exposure to these microscopic chemicals have been disclosed. The list includes the following:

• Squamous cell carcinoma of the nasopharynx
• Sensory integration disorder
• VCFS (velocardiofacial syndrome)
• Aplastic anemia
• Teeth that do not retain enamel
• Cleft palate
• Spina bifida
• Arsepticarthritis
• Mini strokes
• Uterine cancer, Bladder cancer, Brain cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, kidney cancer, esophageal cancer
• Ovarian cysts
• MS and Lupus
• Fibromyalgia
• Meniere’s disease
• Cerebral small vessels disease
• Degenerative disc disease
• Cervical spinal stenosis
• IBD and diverticulitis
• POCS
• Intestinal pneumonitis;
• Anencephaly
• Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis
• Guillain-Barre syndrome
• Tuberous sclerosis complex
• Male breast cancer
• Pervasive developmental disorder
• Brain tumor
• Mantle cell lymphoma
• Adrenal cortical carcinoma
• Salivary gland blockages
• Adult-onset Leukemia
• Birth defects and miscarriages
• Lung cancer
• Liver and pancreatic cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Parkinson’s disease
• Scleroderma
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Leukemia
• Death

Locations of Contamination

Dangerous chemical leaks from storage tanks and drums at dumps and storage lots, spills at industrial locations on base, improper dumping from an off-base dry cleaner, and more are all possible contributory factors. The Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point water treatment plants supplied water to the two affected systems. The plants began operating in 1952 and 1943, respectively. These plants serviced:

• Enlisted-family housing
• Barracks for unmarried service personnel
• Base administrative offices and schools
• Recreational areas

The Hadnot Point water system also served:

• The base hospital
• An industrial area
• Full-time housing on the Holcomb Boulevard water system

What can I be Compensated for if Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Injured Me?

Any awards under this litigation will not affect an individual’s continued or future entitlement to disability awards, payments, or benefits under any VA program. The following damages can be recovered for those exposed and injured by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune:

• Medical bills
• The costs of diagnostic tests and surgical procedures
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages and future earnings
• Disability benefits
• Emotional distress
• Rehabilitation costs, necessary home modifications, adaptive equipment
• Loss of companionship, consortium, enjoyment of life, and earning capacity
• Permanent disability
• Other compensatory damages
• Death

What Documents are Needed to File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?

• Documents providing residence at Camp Lejeune
• Military service records indicating dates and locations served
• Medical records and diagnoses
• Medical bills
• Travel records
• Health care information
• Records on disability benefits or VA compensation benefits

What Steps Do I Take to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

The time frame to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is limited. So, it’s essential to act quickly. All injury claims that occurred before the passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act have two years from Aug. 10, 2022, when the law was enacted to file their case. For those eligible service personnel, families, employees, and others harmed by the contaminated water, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 is a significant step forward and a chance to obtain the benefits and compensation that they were previously denied. If you have questions, call 256-534-3435. We are here to help.