Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

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Victims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination can get help from Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers located in Pensacola, Florida. With over 54 years of combined experience, our firm strives to give victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination exceptional client service, frequent communication, and peace of mind.

If you or a loved one were stationed at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 – December 31, 1987, and were exposed to the contaminated water, you may be entitled to compensation. Call us today for a free case evaluation.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Infographic

 

Background on the Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), in 1982, the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina was found to have volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in two of the eight water treatment plants that supplied the drinking water to the base.

The plants supplying contaminated drinking water to Camp Lejeune were: Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace. The ATSDR used historical modeling to determine how long and to what degree these treatment plants were providing toxic water to military personnel and civilians on base.

Hadnot Point Water Treatment Plant at Camp Lejeune

Hadnot Point water treatment plant provided drinking water at Camp Lejeune mainside barracks, Hospital Point family housing, as well as the family housing at Midway Park, Paradise Point, and Berkeley Manor until June of 1972.

TCE was the VOC that primarily contaminated the drinking water at Hadnot Point. TCE stands for trichloroethylene, which is a known cancer-causing substance. It is a VOC used to create refrigerants and is used as a degreaser and an industrial solvent. In May 1982, the ATSDR determined that the maximum level of TCE in the drinking water was 1,400 parts per billion (ppb). Compare this to the current EPA limit for TCE in drinking water of 5 ppb.

Additional contaminants that were identified at Hadnot Point and are also human carcinogens included:

  • vinyl chloride – a VOC used in the production of PVC, which is polyvinyl chloride that is used to make plastic products
  • benzene – a VOC used as a solvent and in the synthesis of a variety of chemicals, which is found in crude oil and gasoline

Tarawa Terrace Water Treatment Plant at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Tarawa Terrace operated from 1952 through March of 1987 and provided drinking water at Camp Lejeune to the Tarawa Terrace family housing and the Knox trailer park.

PCE (perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene) was the main contaminant found in this water treatment system. The ATSDR tracked the contamination to an off-base dry cleaners and found that the PCE level was 215 ppb in February of 1985. The EPA maximum contaminant level is 5 ppb and the drinking water at Tarawa Terrace exceeded this limit from November 1957 through to February 1987.

Contamination Reach

The ATSDR concluded that due to these two contaminated on base water treatment plants, as many as 1M people may have been exposed. This could include both military and civilian staff, workers, and their families.

Health Impact of Exposure to Contaminated Water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

Exposure to VOCs has been linked to a number of adverse health effects, including a variety of life-threatening cancers and serious health conditions.

Health Issues Linked to Trichloroethylene (TCE) Exposure

TCE is used as a solvent and an industrial degreaser, and was the main contaminant in the water at Hadnot Point. Exposure to TCE has been linked to liver damage, kidney damage, skin rashes, scleroderma, and a decrease in reproductive hormone levels in men.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also states that there is strong evidence that TCE can cause kidney cancer, liver cancer, and malignant lymphoma. It is considered to be a known human carcinogen by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), as well as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Health Issues Linked to Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) Exposure

PCE is used for dry cleaning and metal degreasing and was the main contaminant in drinking water at Tarawa Terrace. According to the CDC, exposure has been linked to a variety of neurological conditions including changes in mood, attention span, memory, reaction time, and sight. PCE exposure is linked to cancers including: bladder cancer, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

DHHS, IARC, and the EPA consider it to be a likely carcinogen to humans.

Health Issues Linked to Vinyl Chloride Exposure

The CDC reports that exposure to vinyl chloride, a contaminant found at the Hadnot Point water treatment plant, is linked to health issues in humans with the:

  • Cardiovascular system – impacting the heart and blood vessels
  • Developmental stages – causing negative effects during periods when organs are developing
  • Hepatic system – impacting the liver
  • Immunological system – impacting the immune system (Immune System)

Health Issues linked to Benzene Exposure

Benzine was another contaminant present in the drinking water at Hadnot Point. The CDC reports that long term exposure to benzene has the greatest impact on blood including harmful effects on bone marrow which can cause a decrease in the production of red blood cells. This can lead to anemia. It can also affect the immune system and can cause excessive bleeding.

Exposure to benzene is linked to leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) in particular. It is considered a carcinogen by the DHHS, IARC, and the EPA.

Health Impact for People at Camp Lejeune

If you were stationed, lived, or worked on base between 1953 and 1987, you may have been exposed to these hazardous chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune. Additionally, if your mother lived or worked on base during that time while you were in utero, you may also have been exposed to the toxic chemicals. If you have experienced any of the health issues listed above, or have been diagnosed with one of the cancers linked to VOC exposure, you may be entitled to compensation.

Call today to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer from Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers to discuss your legal options and get the compensation you deserve for your exposure to the tainted water at Camp Lejeune.

VA Health Benefits for Camp Lejeune Veterans and Their Families

If you served at Camp Lejeune or lived there with your family between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible for health benefits through the Veterans Affairs (VA) for any of the 15 illnesses associated with exposure to VOCs in the water.

These benefits can include:

  • Medical care and out-of-pocket health care reimbursement
  • Disability compensation
  • Outpatient care
  • Dependents’ and survivors’ benefits

The VA recognizes and may cover a variety of medical expenses for veterans and their families associated with these 15 conditions, including:

  • Bladder cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Female infertility
  • Hepatic steatosis
  • Kidney cancer
  • Leukemia
  • Lung cancer
  • Miscarriage
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Neurobehavioral effects
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Renal toxicity
  • Scleroderma

Conditions Considered to Have a Presumptive Service Connection

The VA has issued a presumption of service connection for eight conditions related to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune. This means that any of these conditions are presumed to be related to military service and therefore may be covered by the VA and eligible for VA benefits. Active duty, reserve, and National Guard members who were exposed for at least 30 days to the toxic chemicals in the water supply at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 through December 31, 1987, are covered.

The eight conditions include:

  • Adult leukemia
  • Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Bladder cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Parkinson’s disease

If you have any of these conditions or related health problems, you may be eligible for VA benefits. You may also be eligible to file a lawsuit to seek compensation including health care benefits under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022.

If you or your family members were stationed at Camp Lejeune or lived there with their family between 1953 and 1987, you may be entitled to compensation for any health issues or illnesses that have been linked to the water contamination.

Call Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers today to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer about your legal options related to your exposure to the water at Camp Lejeune.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act provides compensation for service members and their families who were affected by the Camp Lejeune water contamination as well as any civilians who lived and worked on base. The act allows victims to file a personal injury lawsuit against the United States government for any illnesses or health conditions that have been linked to the water contamination.

Previously, under South Carolina law, Camp Lejeune water contamination victims were barred from filing Camp Lejeune Lawsuits against the government due to the doctrine of sovereign immunity. However, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act provides an exception to this rule, allowing victims to seek compensation for their injuries caused by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune.

If you or a loved one were stationed or worked at Camp Lejeune or lived there with their family between 1953 and 1987, you may be entitled to compensation for any health issues or illnesses that have been linked to the toxic chemicals in the water. Call Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers today to speak with an attorney about your legal options.

Who is Eligible for Compensation?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act provides compensation for service members and their families who were affected by the toxic substances in the water at Camp Lejeune as well as any civilians who lived and worked on base. Eligible contaminated water exposure victims may include military service members from all branches of the US military, including Marine Corps soldiers and cadets; spouses, children and other family members; veterans, reservists and National Guard members; and base civilian workers.

If you or a loved one were stationed or worked at Camp Lejeune or lived there with your family between 1953 and 1987, you may be entitled to compensation for any health issues or illnesses that have been linked to the water contamination. Call Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers today to speak with a personal injury lawyer about the details of your case and your legal options.

What Compensation Is Available for Water Contamination Victims?

Anyone who lived or worked on base from 1953 to 1987 along with family members and loved ones may be eligible for compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

If you were exposed to the contaminated water for at least 30 days and have developed serious health conditions, call Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers today to speak with a personal injury lawyer about what types of compensation may be available in your case.

Some of the types of compensation that may be available to victims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination include:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Wrongful death

Call Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers today to speak with a personal injury lawyer about your legal options. We will help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

You Have a Limited Time to Act

If you or a loved one were affected by the Camp Lejeune water contamination, you have a limited time to file a claim. Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, victims have two years from the date of enactment to file a personal injury lawsuit against the United States government. This means that if you or a loved one were affected by the water contamination, you must act now to protect your legal rights. Call Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers today for a free case evaluation to  learn more about your legal options.

What We Can Do For You

At Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers, your Pensacola personal injury lawyers, we put lives back together. Licensed in Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida, we’ve helped clients from across the Gulf Coast get the compensation they deserve. With a combined experience of over 54 years, we strive to give victims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination exceptional client service, frequent communication, and peace of mind.

If you or a loved one were affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune, we can help. The experienced personal injury lawyers at our law firm will review your case and help you understand your legal options. We will also fight to get you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Call Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer.

What to Do if You Served or Worked at Camp Lejeune

If you served or worked at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation for your serious health conditions or cancer related to your exposure to the contaminants in the water. The first step is to seek medical attention to fully document your diagnosis with your health care provider. Once you have done that, call Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers to speak with an attorney about your legal options.

What to Do if Your Parent(s) Served or Worked at Camp Lejeune

If your parent(s) served or worked at Camp Lejeune, they may be entitled to compensation for their serious health problems related to their exposure to the contaminants in the water. The first step is to make sure you have medical documentation of their health condition. Once you have the medical records, call Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers to speak with an attorney from our law firm.

If you lost a parent due to the serious health conditions or cancers caused by the toxic chemicals in the Camp Lejeune water, you may be entitled to file a wrongful death suit. Call Stevenson Klotz Injury Lawyers today to speak with an attorney about your legal options. We will help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve. Though no amount of money can bring back your loved one, we will fight to get you the justice you deserve.


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