Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Statistics

The United States Military opened North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in the early 1940s. As early as 1953, the water supply at Camp Lejeune became contaminated with toxic and hazardous chemicals that have caused many service members, family members of service members, and others to become diagnosed with related cancers and other serious illnesses. The base closed between 1985 and 1987 after researchers concluded that the water supply had been contaminated with volatile organic compounds. The compounds discovered in the water supply included trichloroethylene (TCE).

Many service members, their loved ones, and others who worked or visited Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1988 have contracted chronic illnesses and cancers. If you believe that toxic water at Camp Lejeune caused your serious medical condition or the condition suffered by a loved one, it is imperative that you discuss your case with an attorney. The North Carolina personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, can help you understand your legal options.

If you qualify for compensation, the professionals at Arnold & Smith can help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation case evaluation. The government has provided a limited window of time to bring claims, so if you believe you or a loved one has a claim, you must act quickly.

Researchers discovered volatile organic compounds in Camp Lejeune’s water in the 1980s, however the public did not learn about the contamination until numerous claimants brought lawsuits around 2010. In the course of those suits, claimants learned that the water at Camp Lejeune had been contaminated contained numerous toxic chemicals such as benzene, vinyl chloride, perchloroethylene (PCE), and trichloroethylene (TCE) from the early 1950s until the late 1980s.

Researchers determined that vinyl chloride and TCE exposure occurred when underground storage tanks at Camp Lejeune leaked into the water supply system and contaminated the drinking water. Even though the United States government acknowledged in 2012 that the water wells at Camp Lejeune were contaminated and offered limited compensation and medical care for those affected, the lawsuits brought by various claimants against the military and United States Government were consolidated and dismissed.

In 2022, the United States Congress passed a law that now gives victims the right to pursue damages for the injuries they suffered as a result of exposure to dangerous chemicals.

These toxic chemicals have caused damage to nearly every part of the bodily system of sufferers, including their immune systems, reproductive systems, kidneys, livers, central nervous systems, and even to their unborn children. Toxic exposure to the chemical PCE has been linked to kidney and liver damage. Additionally, vinyl chloride exposure has been linked to aplastic anemia and liver cancer.

Approximately 900,000 individuals who served at Camp Lejeune during the affected time frame have been affected by contaminants in the water. Many of these individuals may have already passed away from illnesses related to toxic exposure. However, family members of deceased persons can also seek relief under the new law.

Many of the illnesses associated with contamination can take decades to become acute, including various types of cancer, liver disease, and Parkinson's disease. However, researchers estimate that the contaminated water may affected between 750,000 and - million people.

Recently, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) released an assessment of the Camp Lejeune water contamination. The assessment provided that many marines and their loved ones drank, bathed in, and cooked with contaminated water without knowing about the potential health risks.

Researchers also discovered evidence showing that those exposed to contaminated water early in life would be at risk of developing adult leukemia and multiple other cancers and serious illnesses. Researchers also found evidence that persons subject to contaminated water have elevated risk of developing lung cancer and other serious health conditions. The report has been essential in helping victims prove their medical symptoms are linked to toxic water at Camp Lejeune.

To be sure, exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune has caused a host of physical infirmities to service members, their family members, and others. If you have experienced any of the symptoms associated with various cancers, Parkinson's disease, neurological disorders, or any other serious medical conditions, and you believe your symptoms are related to toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune, you should contact an attorney to protect your legal rights. Contact the North Carolina personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC today to schedule your free initial consultation.