Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Mass Tort Claims
In the past few months, 14,000 water contamination claims have been filed at Camp Lejeune, and the number is expected to climb over the next two years. Between 1953 and 1987, more than one million Marines and their families lived at the base and may have been affected by the water contamination. By joining a mass tort lawsuit, you may be able to recover the compensation you need as well as damages for your pain and suffering.
Camp Lejeune Justice Act
With the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, veterans and their families who have been affected by water contamination will be entitled to free medical care. Those who qualify will also receive $15,000 lump sum payments and other benefits, but that won’t go far when veterans and their families are battling cancer. The act does, however, contain a caveat. Settlement options must be exhausted before a complaint can be filed, and a complaint may only be filed if the claims are not resolved by the government within six months.
Why Consuming the Water at Camp Lejeune Was Dangerous
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry concluded in 1997 that the chemicals found in the water were not cancer-causing. The presence of benzene, however, was not considered at the time the investigation was taking place. In 2009, the agency rescinded the early report and concluded that benzene was the potential cancer-causing chemical compound that may cause serious health problems for veterans.
There was an estimated leak of 800,000 gallons of benzene directly into the groundwater from fuel storage tanks. Nearby was not only the Marine base’s service quarters but also the hospital.
Types of Injuries Due in Water Contamination Claims
Despite the fact that the United States government acknowledges toxic chemicals polluted Camp Lejeune’s water for decades, the new law still places the burden of proof on individual plaintiffs to prove their injuries were caused by contaminated water. Numerous injury claims have been filed, including for injuries such as the following:
- Brain, liver, kidney, lung, colon/colorectal, rectal, prostate, and bladder cancers
- Thyroid cancer
- Cancer of the esophagus
- Cancer of the central nervous system
- Leukemia
- Cervical, ovarian, and breast cancers
- Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma (damage to white blood cells)
Not just cancers have been reported by exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water. Additional non-cancer side effects caused by exposure to Camp Lejeune water may include:
- Aplastic anemia
- Birth defects or miscarriage
- Epilepsy
- Fatty liver disease
- Disorders in the immune system
- Infertility in women
- Damage to kidneys
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Myelodysplastic syndromes (poorly formed or malfunctioning blood cells)
- Damage to nerves
- Kidney disease
- Neurobehavioral problems such as sensory disturbances, headaches, depression, attention deficit, and more
- Parkinson’s disease
- Scleroderma (inflammatory rheumatic disease)
The Diaz Law Firm
Throughout the country, The Diaz Law Firm protects the rights of the injured to help them obtain compensation. If you would like to discuss your case with one of our attorneys, please call (800) 459-2222. In order to help you move forward, we will assist you in joining our mass tort litigation. Please feel free to contact us online as well. Our mission is to fight for the injured. This is all we do.