Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuits

Did you or any of your loved ones work or live at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune at any time between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987?

It is estimated that more than one million of those who worked or lived on base may have consumed or otherwise been exposed to toxic water. The contaminants in the water put people at a greater risk of developing various forms of cancer and other life-changing illnesses.

The U.S. government has recognized this grave injustice and allocated funds for victims – more than $21 billion. If you think you have a claim, you should contact an experienced law firm to discuss a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.

At Lynch Law Firm, PC, we are committed to guiding you through the legal process, seeking the full compensation you deserve. There are no upfront costs or legal obligations.

Time is running short, so it is important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Once the deadline passes, you lose the right to seek compensation.

Call today to schedule your free legal consultation: (800) 518-0508.

Eligibility for Filing a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

If you were at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, for at least 30 days, you might be eligible to file a lawsuit. This includes veterans, workers and their families.

There are several base housing areas where people may have used or consumed contaminated water, including:

  • Watkins Village
  • Paradise Point
  • Midway Park
  • Hospital Point
  • Hadnot Point
  • Frenchman’s Point
  • Midway Park
  • Tarawa Terrace

In some cases, victims have already passed away. You may have a spouse, grandparent or child who passed away decades ago due to injuries from contaminated water. Despite the time that has passed, you can still seek compensation through a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.

How Was I Exposed to Contaminated Water?

Many people drank the water, but you could have been exposed to it in various ways, such as by:

  • Using the water to cook food
  • Bathing in the water
  • Using water from the faucet for cleaning dishes or other places in your home

The more often you were exposed, the higher your risk of developing a severe illness or injury.

What Diseases/Medical Conditions May Be Included in a Claim?

If your medical condition is linked to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you may have a case.

These are some of the health issues that have been most commonly linked to toxic water consumption at Camp Lejeune:

  • Leukemia
  • Bladder cancer
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Liver cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Cervical cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Birth injuries
  • Aplastic anemia
  • Miscarriages
  • Neurobehavioral problems
  • Birth defects
  • Infertility
  • Hepatic steatosis
  • Scleroderma
  • And more

If you lived or worked on the base between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and have been diagnosed with one of the conditions above or something else that is connected to toxic water, call Lynch Law Firm, PC. There is limited time to take legal action and once the deadline passes, you will be unable to seek compensation for medical care and other damages.

Free Legal Consultation. No upfront costs. Call today: (800) 518-0508.

Proving a Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Case

Camp Lejeune lawsuits are fundamentally different than other water contamination lawsuits. This is because you do not need to prove the water was the direct cause of your condition, just that it likely contributed to it.

Typically, claimants must establish a direct causal link between their exposure to a toxin and their specific health condition. However, for Camp Lejeune lawsuits, legal requirements are less complex. Plaintiffs are only required to demonstrate that their conditions were likely caused by exposure to the contaminated water.

This is a unique approach that helps account for the fact it is difficult to prove victims were exposed to toxic substances decades ago.

Despite this change, you still need an experienced lawyer to help you pursue a case. Lynch Law Firm, PC has decades of experience and a proven track record of helping injured victims secure compensation.

What Toxic Chemicals Were in Camp Lejeune’s Water?

You may have been exposed to hazardous chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, vinyl chloride and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) through drinking, bathing or other domestic uses.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry found PCE was the main contaminant at Tarawa Terrace. Over time, this chemical breaks down in groundwater and becomes TCE and vinyl chloride. The main contaminant at Hadnot Point was TCE. This chemical got into the water from underground storage tanks and waste disposal sites that were leaking.

The danger of being exposed to these chemicals is clear when you consider the uses for some of them, including:

  • Metal cleaning
  • Making packing materials
  • Making pipes and coating
  • Dry cleaning
  • Making plastics and synthetic fibers
  • Producing dyes, lubricants, rubber and pesticides

TCE has been linked to conditions like kidney cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and cardiac defects. Meanwhile, PCE has been connected to bladder cancer.

Deadline For Filing a Lawsuit

Time is of the essence. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 has set a deadline of August 10, 2024. Missing this date means losing the right to claim compensation.

It takes time to prepare a lawsuit, so it is critical that you do not wait to contact a lawyer to determine if you may be able to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.

Lynch Law Firm, PC. We are here to help. Call for more information: (800) 518-0508.

Compensation From a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

Like other injury claims, victims can seek compensation for a variety of damages caused by toxic water exposure, especially past and future medical costs, reduced earning capacity and future lost wages.

Victims may also be eligible for non-economic compensation for things like lost enjoyment of life and pain and suffering.

However, the value of each case will depend on the victim’s unique circumstances, including the amount of time you were exposed to toxic water, the types of chemicals you were exposed to and the severity of your medical issues.

Tiered Settlement System

Last year, the U.S. Navy and Department of Justice introduced a tiered settlement system called the “Elective Option” for Camp Lejeune claims, in an effort to settle cases swiftly. Settlements range from $100,000 to $550,000, influenced by the claimant’s diagnosed medical condition and their exposure duration to toxic water. The system categorizes diseases into Tier 1 and Tier 2, each category contains specific illnesses and corresponding settlement ranges.

The first tier is for the following medical conditions:

  • Bladder cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Leukemia
  • Kidney cancer

If you qualify for tier one, you can seek a settlement between $150,000 and $450,000. The second tier has a payout structure of between $100,000 and $400,000. This tier distributes compensation for the following diseases:

  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Kidney disease and end-stage renal disease
  • Systemic sclerosis
  • Systemic scleroderma
  • Multiple myeloma

Unfortunately, more than 85 percent of those who are seeking compensation for Camp Lejeune water exposure are unlikely to qualify for the tiered settlement system. It is likely that tens or even hundreds of thousands of claims will be disputed. Those claims are more likely to end up in the courtroom for a final decision.

Will a Lawsuit Impact My Veteran’s Benefits?

Filing a lawsuit will not affect your VA benefits. You can pursue both avenues without risking your current or future benefits. At Lynch Law Firm, PC, we have seen how important it is for injured victims to secure compensation for physical, financial and emotional damages. A Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit could provide the additional compensation you need to help you and your family.

Research Linking Camp Lejeune  Water to Illness

In 2018, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conducted a pivotal study to establish the connection between the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and various health conditions. This research was a comparative analysis between those exposed at Camp Lejeune and unexposed counterparts at Camp Pendleton. Key findings included:

  • Elevated risk of kidney cancer linked to TCE and PCE exposure, observed in both Marines and civilian workers
  • Increased risk of bladder cancer associated with TCE and PCE exposure in civilian workers, and PCE exposure in Marines
  • Risk of kidney disease linked to TCE and PCE exposure, with higher risks identified in civilian workers and those exposed to PCE among Marines

The study also highlighted a critical aspect: the severity of these health risks escalated with increased exposure levels to the contaminants TCE (Trichloroethylene) and PCE (Perchloroethylene). This research underscores the serious health implications for those who spent time at Camp Lejeune and were exposed to these harmful substances.

Recent Developments in Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Settlements

As of November 2023, progress in resolving Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits has been slow. Here are some key updates:

  • Settlement Offers: The government has extended 23 settlement offers to claimants.
  • Accepted Settlements: Three individuals have accepted settlements totaling $850,000. Two of these settlements have already been paid. As of January 2024, the Navy had only settled 13 of 158,252 claims that had been filed. This includes four settlements for bladder cancer, one for kidney cancer, one for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, one for kidney disease, two for Parkinson’s disease and four for leukemia. There have been a total of 89 settlement offers.
  • Volume of Claims: There are over 117,000 administrative claims with the U.S. Navy and more than 1,300 lawsuits in federal court. These claims and lawsuits mainly concern health issues like cancer and miscarriages.
  • Financial Implications: The estimated cost to address the 117,000 administrative claims could reach $3.3 trillion.

Call Lynch Law Firm, PC’s Experienced Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, do not hesitate to reach out to us. Every minute counts, and compensation can significantly help you to manage medical costs while improving your quality of life.

Lynch Law Firm, PC is here to support you throughout this challenging time, and we are prepared to fully manage the legal process on your behalf.

For more information or to schedule a FREE consultation, please contact Lynch Law Firm, PC. We have obtained hundreds of millions on behalf of injured victims, and we have decades of experience.

Free legal consultation. Zero upfront costs. Call today: (800) 518-0508.

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