What You Need to Know About Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits

United States military members face risks to their safety while serving the country at home and abroad. Unfortunately, service members have also been exposed to dangerous chemicals on one military base: North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune. Researchers have determined that water at Camp Lejeune was tainted with harmful chemicals that can cause cancer, Parkinson's disease, and other dangerous medical conditions.

Although decades have passed since known issues were remediated, veterans and their family members are still being diagnosed with harmful medical conditions related to historical exposure. Suppose you were a service member, family member, or government employee who worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and you have been diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition. You may be entitled to significant compensation.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has linked several Serious medical conditions to the chemicals found in the water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River. The service members, family members, and employees living and working at those bases were exposed to harmful chemicals without even knowing it, at the time. Specifically, the water contained trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride, which can cause the following health problems:

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

These chemicals can also cause serious birth problems in pre-born babies, increasing the risk of miscarriages. Other victims can develop liver and kidney illnesses and Parkinson's disease. These medical conditions can be challenging and costly to treat, causing extreme financial hardship to family members. While victims have been able to pursue healthcare through the Department of Veterans Affairs, they have not been able to bring lawsuits to recover the compensation they deserve until recently.

Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 in August 2022. Under this law, veterans have two years to file lawsuits against the government for injuries caused by Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water. Currently, victims of contaminated water have a legal right to bring a lawsuit against the federal government.

Victims can pursue economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, which can be extremely high, especially for cancer patients. Economic damages also include loss of income due to a medical diagnosis or symptoms, loss of future earning capacity, and any other tangible financial injury caused by an illness.

Non-economic damages include damages for pain and suffering, anxiety, and mental anguish one has suffered due to a medical diagnosis. The attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC work with financial and medical experts to determine the total amount of compensation to which one is entitled. Once we have an idea of the value of a claim, we will advocate aggressively for a settlement or verdict that compensates an affected person and one’s loved ones for related injuries.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 does make it easier for victims of contaminated water to file a claim against the government. However, one has only two years to file a claim. Navigating the process is challenging, and working with an attorney can improve the likelihood of success. Many veterans and their loved ones are coping with serious medical issues that require intense treatment, making it difficult to focus on pursuing a legal claim. When a person works with the attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, one can rest assured that we will handle every aspect of a case so an injured person can focus on receiving treatment.

Our attorneys have a proven track record of succeeding in personal injury claims for injured service members and veterans. We will advocate strongly for a claimant throughout the process, negotiating for the total amount of compensation one deserves. Our attorneys understand the process, laws, and regulations important in a case and how to go through the steps needed to help one seek compensation.

At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, we are here to help veterans and their loved ones affected by the toxic water supply at Camp Lejeune. We will work with you to recover all the benefits and compensation you deserve. If you were stationed at Camp Lejeune and you have been diagnosed with a serious medical condition, give us a call.

It is worth contacting an attorney to discuss your options. You only have a limited time to bring a claim. Contact the North Carolina personal injury attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, to schedule a free case evaluation.