Many veterans and their families have suffered illnesses and long-term health effects due to water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
Billions of dollars have been made available for those impacted, and the skilled mass tort injury lawyers at Bisnar Chase are here to help anyone affected recover the compensation they deserve.
Our focus is on supporting veterans, their families, and others suffering from toxic exposure while at Camp Lejeune.
We have decades of experience handling hazardous exposure, mass torts, and class action cases like this and can offer the expert help you need. This page covers everything you need to know about toxic water claims. Please contact our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers today for a free consultation with no obligation.
Water Contamination Resources
Latest News on Camp Lejeune Water Contamination 2022
The government has stepped up to ensure that anyone impacted by toxic water at Camp Lejeune receives the support they need.
A vote has been passed to create a compensatory fund to help settle lawsuits brought by affected veterans and their family members.
Essentially, anyone meeting the criteria can join the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. This includes people who spent time on the base and were exposed to toxic substances between 1953 and 1987 and developed dangerous conditions.
We bring you all the information you need and will update this page with the latest news on the Camp Lejeune cases.
What Caused Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
Camp Lejeune is located in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and was formerly a Marine Base. The base is home to over 30,000 active-duty military personnel and their families.
As other bases began to close across the country, Camp Lejeune decided to stay open. This decision turned out to be a mistake as the base later became known for its water contamination. A combination of natural occurrences and human error caused the contamination.
It started when an underground salt water formation, called a brine pit, leaked into nearby wells and aquifers. Brine pits are used to store salty water during times of low demand. These pits can contain harmful chemicals and metals that can leak into the groundwater above them.
Once those chemicals enter the groundwater, they are then able to get into other parts of the water supply, like well heads, faucets, and pipes. In addition to this natural occurrence, there were several human mistakes that could also have caused the contamination at Camp Lejeune.
First of all, there were several poorly maintained wells on the base, which allowed for further contaminants to enter the water supply. Then, there were instances of improper waste disposal which allowed for toxic materials from Camp Lejeune’s chemical plants to reach the well head systems.
Finally, there was poor maintenance leading up to the contamination where carcinogens built up on parts of the base that could poison people.
About Camp Lejeune
Camp Lejeune is a Marine Corps base. It was created in 1941 and is home to several highly trained marine divisions and other combat units. The base stretches along 11 miles of beach and covers an area of 156,000 acres. Home to top-class training facilities, it is also like a city in its own right.
Camp Lejeune has about 170,000 people, including active duty and retired military, family members, and civilian employees. It has its own on-site facilities, such as schools, shops, and banks.
Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune
Testing first revealed toxic elements in Camp Lejeune’s drinking water in 1982. These contaminants are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
In particular, the toxins discovered included:
- Trichloroethylene.
- Perchloroethylene.
- Vinyl chloride.
- Benzene.
- Others.
Some of these substances are strongly linked to dangerous conditions such as cancer and leukemia.
The base has its own water supply system, including treatment plants. But it is believed several wells became contaminated due to solvents and other hazardous chemicals being dumped near the water supply as early as the 1950s.
Many people who drank these fluids suffered severe health issues, including various cancers. Officials shut the contaminated wells down in 1985.
Three water distribution plants at Camp Lejeune had VOC contamination levels of 240 to 3,400 times the legal safety limit. They were located at Hadnot Point, Holcomb Boulevard, and Tarawa Terrace. Over the years, up to 500,000 people could have been exposed to the toxic substances.
The Dangers of Toxic Water
Toxic water is a serious problem in the United States. There are numerous ways that toxic water can affect people. Some of the most common ways that toxic water can harm people include the following:
Waterborne diseases: Toxic water can cause many different diseases. People who drink and swim in contaminated water can become sick with various dangerous diseases, such as cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis.
Skin burns: Exposure to toxic water for an extended period can cause skin burns. In some cases, people will develop chemical burns on their skin. The pain from chemical burns can be severe and long-lasting.
Infections: Waterborne infections are another way that toxic water can harm people. They can cause pain and discomfort. They can also lead to other health issues, including more severe illnesses like AIDS and cancer.
Water contamination has links to many serious conditions. These include cancers, birth defects and miscarriages, leukemia, and more.
The conditions explicitly linked to Camp Lejeune water contamination cases are:
- Leukemia in adults.
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- Multiple myeloma.
- Parkinson’s disease.
- Aplastic anemia.
- Liver cancer.
- Bladder cancer.
- Kidney cancer.
- Breast cancer.
- Infertility.
- Miscarriages.
- Lung cancer.
- Esophageal cancer.
- Scleroderma.
- Renal Toxicity.
- Neurological issues.
Other cancers and conditions may also apply. Please contact a personal injury lawyer at Bisnar Chase for free legal advice. Our team will review your case and ensure you get the needed help.
Is There a Legal Case for Victims of Camp Lejeune Toxic Water?
Yes – if you suffered through exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you have a right to seek compensation.
Campaigners have been working to inform potential victims of the toxic dangers for many years. But now, the government has finally stepped up and created a multi-billion dollar fund to support veterans and others who suffered exposure.
The U.S. House and Senate passed a vote in 2022. It specifically includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Section 804. This action approves compensation for those who show the toxic water has impacted them.
This is an important step. It legitimizes these cases and encourages veterans, family members, and others exposed to recover the compensation they are legally entitled to.
You still need to present a solid case to secure compensation. That is where an attorney comes in. Dealing with the legal system alone can be daunting, but a skilled mass torts attorney will work with you to win the maximum amount possible.
Who Can Claim Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Compensation?
Are you eligible to claim compensation for toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune? To qualify, you need to hit certain criteria.
- You must have served, lived, or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987. Those eligible include active or retired military, reservists, guardsmen, family members, civilians, and workers.
- You were stationed or living at the base for at least 30 cumulative days.
- You were diagnosed with a form of cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, or other such condition.
Unborn babies who may have suffered exposure while still in the womb are also covered.
Whether you believe you have a case or are unsure and want to find out, Bisnar Chase can help. Contact our water contamination lawyers now for expert guidance.
Expected Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Settlement Amounts
It is always hard to predict what a case might be worth without knowing the specifics. The amount of compensation you receive could depend on a variety of factors, including:
- Your medical bills.
- Pain and suffering.
- Compromised quality of life.
- Long-term impacts.
- Lost earnings/potential earnings.
Billions of dollars have been budgeted by the government to cover contaminated water lawsuits at Camp Lejeune. These funds will be used to pay out on all legitimate claims.
Depending on the circumstances of specific cases, there may be a range of different settlement amounts for different individuals. With mass tort claims, each case is taken on its merit to ensure that victims who have suffered life-changing impacts get the compensation they deserve.
Contact Bisnar Chase now to find out more about how much your case could be worth.
Camp Lejeune Toxic Water FAQs
We aim to answer the most frequently asked questions regarding toxic water exposure cases at Camp Lejeune to put your mind at ease.
If you were at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 cumulative days from 1953-1987 and later suffered serious health problems, you may be able to file a claim. Contact Bisnar Chase to find out.
We cannot put an exact time on resolving your case. However, our experienced attorneys will work tirelessly to secure the right result for you. We also remain in regular contact to inform you of all developments.
Exposure to contaminated water usually happens through drinking, bathing, or using it for cooking or cleaning. This put a lot of people at risk at Camp Lejeune.
Call, email, or use our live chat to contact Bisnar Chase. If you have a case, our law firm will handle it while communicating with you every step of the way.
At Bisnar Chase, we work on contingency. We advance all costs, so you are protected from paying out of pocket. If we do not win for you, you owe nothing.
For more detail, or if you have questions that have not been answered on this page, please do not hesitate to contact our team directly.
Contact the Best Water Contamination Attorney Near Me
Bisnar Chase has been in the business of helping people for more than 45 years. Our law firm is based in California and has a national reputation.
Led by managing partner Brian Chase, we have an outstanding track record with injury and mass tort cases. They are not just numbers to us. We bring a level of care and compassion for our clients that sets us apart from competitors.
- Our firm has a 99% success rate.
- More than $750 Million won.
- Experience with hazardous exposure and mass tort cases.
- In business since 1978.
- First-class communication throughout the process.
- A trusting attorney/client relationship.
Our team is here to make sure veterans and their families are able to seek the compensation they deserve. We know that the legal process can be daunting and unpredictable. But we are here to fight for you while offering the guidance and support you need.
Contact an injury attorney at Bisnar Chase if you think you may be eligible for a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. Call (800) 561-4887, use the live chat on our website, or send us an email. We are here to help.
