If you or a loved one resided or worked at Camp Lejeune from 1953 – 1987 then you may have rights to compensation.
The United States Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune likely exposed more than one million people to contaminated drinking water. Service members, staff and their loved ones drank, showered, cleaned and cooked with toxic water giving rise to the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit. Many veterans and their family members developed serious health problems and cancer believed to be caused by toxic water. We believe the military was aware, but failed to act. Those diagnosed with cancer after serving at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 should investigate their rights with a Camp Lejeune Cancer Attorney.
George Angelopoulos is a Tennessee Lawyer for Camp Lejeune Cancer Cases and works with national law firms to evaluate potential cases for veterans, civilian contractors or family members who resided or were employed at Camp Lejeune for 30 days+ and were diagnosed with cancer, neurological disorders or other illnesses. Start your free Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuit consultation by calling 615-422-7171 today.
If you are already receiving medical benefits or other compensation from the V.A. for Camp Lejeune water, you still qualify for filing a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
Camp Lejeune Water
Two of the eight wells at North Carolina’s U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune were contaminated with high levels of benzene, industrial solvents, and other harmful chemicals. The Camp Lejuene Water toxic chemicals identified were used as ingredients in degreasers and solvents. The source of the water contamination was traced to a local dry cleaner, waste disposal sites and industrial accidents. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry reports that while the contaminated water was initially discovered in 1982, the contamination had existed since the early 1950s. Even after the contamination was discovered, the wells with the contaminated water were not shut down until 1985.
Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Health Conditions
Many of these chemicals have been related to cancer and other major health problems. Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Criteria includes, but is not limited to:
Cancer:
- Breast cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Leukemia
- Multiple myeloma
- Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Other Conditions and Diseases:
- Birth defects or malformation
- Miscarriage
- Female infertility
- Fetal death
- Aplastic Anemia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Renal toxicity
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease)
- Aplastic anemia
- Scleroderma
- Neurobehavioral effects
If you were diagnosed with a condition is on the list above and you served at Camp Lejeune from 1953 – 1987 then call 615-422-7171 or request a free consultation so a Tennessee Camp Lejeune Cancer Attorney can review your claim.
Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 2022. The Act allows military veterans to file civil lawsuits against the U.S. Government for harm caused by at least thirty days of exposure (including in utero exposure) to water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina from August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987. The Act precludes the U.S. Government from asserting immunity that otherwise would be available in response to litigation. The Act was folded into a broader law (the “Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022” or “Honoring our PACT Act of 2022”) that enhances health care and disability claims for veterans exposed to toxic burn pits and certain other service-related toxic exposures. On August 10, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the bill into law.
Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012
Congress passed the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act in 2012, and former President Barak Obama signed it into law. This law allowed veterans and their family members who who lived on base for 30+ days (no consecutive requirement) from 1953 and 1987 and later developed certain health conditions to automatically qualify for Veterans Administration medical benefits.
The eligibility date for benefits differed based on when the veterans served at Camp Lejeune. Those who served at the base for at least 30 days between 1957 and 1987 were first entitled to benefits in Aug. 2012. Those who served or lived at the base between 1953 and 1956 were first eligible in Dec. 2014. The only requirement for veterans and their family members was to present evidence that they had a qualifying condition that had manifested to a degree of 10%+ at any time after service.
Many veterans and their family members who developed a qualifying condition were denied VA benefits despite their Camp Lejeune service during the relevant period. CBS News reviewed claims filed by Camp Lejeune and determined only 75% of qualifying claims were denied or delayed for multiple years. The VA started utilizing subject-matter experts ‘SME’ to review claims. CBS found that many of these “experts” did not have proper qualifications and that the approval rate with SMEs declined sharply, reaching a low of 1% of claims approved in 2014. The problem continued and led Congress to try to address the problem through new legislation.
Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Compensation
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated the payout for Camp Lejeune settlements and legal expenses associated with handling such claims to exceed $6 Billion dollars. Individual compensation under a successful Camp Lejeune Lawsuit will depend on multiple factors, including the severity of your condition, your likelihood of recovering and other losses. It is difficult to expect a global settlement due to thirteen different cancers listed under the Justice Act as presumptive conditions. There will likely be a grid developed based on the diagnosis and age of a claimant. However, not all cases will not fall within the settlement value of a grid. Some cases will be tried before a jury in Federal Court where compensation will be determined by a jury of the injured parties peers.
Get Help from a Camp Lejeune Lawyer
George Angelopoulos is a Camp Lejeune Cancer Attorney that is committed to helping veterans and their families. In addition to Camp Lejeune toxic water lawsuits we are also representing military personnel seeking compensation for hearing loss due to 3M earplugs.
Your initial consultation is free, and there are no fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf. You defended our country and now it is our turn to defend your rights. Call today at 615-422-7171.
