Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit
Our attorneys fight for those who sacrificed for our country
Service members and their families put a lot on the line for our country, and at a minimum, that means we should take their safety seriously. But unfortunately, that was not the case for Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina for decades. Between the 1950s and 1980s, service members and their families, as well as civilian staff and contractors, drank, cooked with, and bathed in contaminated water, leading to cancer and other life-altering health problems.
Gervelis Law Firm is honored to fight for the rights of those who served our country. We are actively reviewing cases on behalf of veterans and family members who resided at Camp Lejeune. Contact us online or give us a call to schedule your free consultation.
What happened at Camp Lejeune?
The water supply at Camp Lejeune and nearby MCAS New River was contaminated with several toxic cleaning chemicals, including:
- Benzene, a toxic chemical found in nylon and other synthetic fabrics as well as certain plastics and resins.
- Trichloroethylene (TCE), which is used to clean munitions.
- Tetrachloroethylene or perchloroethylene (PCE), which was used to clean military uniforms.
- Vinyl chloride (VC), a highly toxic substance that is formed when TCE and PCE degrade.
These chemicals were notorious on the base for causing miscarriages and stillbirths, among other health issues. Unfortunately, even decades later, people who resided on the base are still experiencing health complications from toxic exposure, including cancer. Cancers linked to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune include:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Lung cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes (also known as preleukemia)
Other health complications include:
- Female infertility
- Hepatic steatosis, a liver condition that can progress to liver failure (cirrhosis)
- Miscarriage or stillbirth
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
The water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated from the early 1950s until the Department of Defense closed the contaminated wells in the mid to late 1980s. As such, thousands of servicemembers and their families were exposed to toxins over the course of more than three decades.
What is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is a bill introduced in Congress to provide a pathway to legal recourse for victims of toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune. This bill has been merged into the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022, which is expected to become law this year. Essentially, this new law will create a pathway for servicemembers and their families to pursue lawsuits against the federal government in connection with toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune.
You may have a case if you meet the following criteria:
- You resided at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, including in utero,
- You developed a medical condition linked to exposure to contaminated water, including but not limited to the medical conditions listed above, and
- You can show a causal connection between your illness and the contaminated water at the base.
Remember that filing such a civil claim or lawsuit against the government does not change your eligibility for VA benefits.
How can an attorney help?
Even with the new law creating a pathway to justice, pursuing legal action against the government is not easy. These cases require thorough investigation and meticulous documentation of the effects toxic exposure had on your health. That’s why it’s in your interest to get experienced legal advice.
We can listen to your story, review the circumstances of your illness, and explain your legal rights and options in a free consultation. There’s no cost and no obligation, and our conversation is fully confidential. Schedule your consultation with an injury attorney at Gervelis Law Firm today.
