Individuals who suffer from cancer, Parkinson's disease, or other serious health problems after more than 30 days of exposure to toxic water contamination at North Carolina's Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 are eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit under the newly enacted Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. Contact the Camp Lejeune lawsuit attorneys at Marin and Barrett, Inc. at (888) 348-2735 today for a free, no obligation initial consultation.
Contact Us Today For Your Free Claim Evaluation
Individuals who suffer from cancer, Parkinson’s disease, or other serious health problems after more than 30 days of exposure to toxic water contamination at North Carolina’s Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 are eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit under the newly enacted Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. Contact the Camp Lejeune lawsuit attorneys at Marin and Barrett, Inc. at (888) 348-2735 today for a free, no obligation initial consultation.
From the 1950s to the 1980s, government officials were aware of toxic water contamination at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina but those in power ignored the issue and denied victims justice and financial compensation for their injuries.
Between August 1953 and December 1987, service members and their families stationed at Camp Lejeune consumed and bathed in water that contained high levels of toxic chemicals including TCE, PCE, Benzene and Vinyl Chloride. Many of these individuals have gone on to experience severe health issues inc as a consequence the exposure to these toxic chemicals. If you served, lived, or worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987, you may be entitled to financial compensation through a Camp Lejeune lawsuit and legal settlement.
The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers at Marin and Barrett, Inc. are providing free, no obligation case evaluations to Marine veterans, their families and other victims injured due to exposure to toxic chemicals. Victims are now eligible to seek justice and compensation from the United States Government under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. You are eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit if you were on base for more than 30 days and were a:
Veterans
Family Members
Civilian Workers
Any others who lived or worked on base
Contact the law firm Marin and Barrett, Inc. at (888) 348-2735 for a free, no-obligation case consultation to discuss your legal options and find out how filing a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit based on exposure to toxic water contamination can help you and your family members recover financial compensation.
What are the Camp Lejeune water contamination side effects?
• Kidney Cancer
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Multiple Myeloma and other myelodysplastic syndromes
• Leukemia (all types)
• Liver Cancer
• Central Nervous System Cancer (brain or spinal cord)
• Miscarriage
• Infertility (male or female)
• Bladder Cancer
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Kidney Disease
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Breast Cancer (male or female)
• Rectal Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Update:
SEPTEMBER 28TH, 2022: The U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corp, as the appropriate federal agency, has established the administrative process for filing administrative Camp Lejeune claims with the Navy. Once filed, the Navy has six months to answer and attempt to settle your administrative claim before you are legally entitled to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit in the District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The Camp Lejeune Administrative Claims Packet requires that individuals seeking compensation for injuries suffered as a result of contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune complete and file Standard Form 95, provide substantiating information and documents, and complete the Questionnaire for Camp Lejeune Claimants. Additionally, you can also find the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claims procedures form for information about the requested documentation. If you have questions or need legal assistance filing your Camp Lejeune administrative claim for damages or a civil lawsuit or wrongful death claim, contact the Camp Lejeune Lawyers at Marin and Barrett, Inc. today.
SEPTEMBER 15TH, 2022: In late August, six Camp Lejeune water contamination victims filed a joint motion to consolidate their cases and argued that by doing so they will be able to achieve efficiencies and promote the speedy resolution of the claims. The Motions were filed in the United States District Court in the Eastern District of North Carolina before Judge Terrence W. Boyle. Given the large volume of anticipated Camp Lejeune lawsuits, reasonably believed to be in the hundreds of thousands to be brought by military veterans and their families, the plaintiffs argued that consolidation of the claims is warranted.However on September 15th, 2022, Judge Boyle issued a two page ruling in which he denied the six motions to consolidate.The Judge’s ruling means, at least for now, that there will be no U.S. Marine Corp Camp Lejeune class action lawsuits and each individual Camp Lejeune claim will need to be filed and litigated individually.
SEPTEMBER 12TH, 2022: According to the U.S. Navy, nearly 5,000 claims have been filed regarding contaminated water at North Carolina Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in the first month since new legislation removed roadblocks. The first step in pursuing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit is to file an administrative claim with the Office of the Judge Advocate General of the Navy’s Tort Claims Unit in Norfolk, Virginia according to the administrative process that has been established by the Navy. The Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry estimates as many as one million people may have been exposed to contamination, and attorneys estimate that up to 500,000 claims could be filed. If the Camp Lejeune lawsuits approach plaintiffs’ attorney estimates, it could end up as one of the largest mass litigations in U.S. history.
AUGUST 26TH, 2022: According to a newly released report, the Department of Veterans Affairs mishandled nearly 40% of all disability claims filed for exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, denying or delaying benefits for more than 21,000 affected veterans. Of 57,500 Camp Lejeune disability claims filed since 2017 for illnesses related to water contamination at the military base that spanned more than 30 years, the V.A. denied 17,200 “prematurely” instead of asking for additional information, according to a report released by the VA Office of Inspector General.
AUGUST 10TH, 2022: The historic Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act is now law. Veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during their service are now eligible for new health care benefits and legal remedies, and with the Camp Lejeune Justice Act included in the bill, those exposed to contaminated water at the Marine Corps Base are able to file lawsuits for damages and injuries. This is a monumental step forward in helping all veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during service and also a breakthrough in achieving justice for veterans, families, non-military staff, and other victims of water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
Who are the best lawyers for your Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
The skilled injury lawyers at Marin and Barrett, Inc. stand ready to help you assert your legal rights and pursue a claim for justice and financial compensation by filing a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. For years, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs has set up roadblock after roadblock for those veterans and their families suffering from serious health conditions due to their exposure to toxic chemicals in contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Recent investigations have found that the U.S. V.A. denied 89 percent of all disability claims involving evidence of an association with the harmful chemicals in the water in at the training facility in Onslow County at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River including claims by active duty military and national guard members. Now, those veterans whose claims whose claims have been denied as well as non-veterans, such as dependents and base workers, will finally be able to receive justice and financial compensation for their injuries. The experienced personal injury lawyers at the Marin and Barrett law firm stand ready to assist you in filing your water contamination lawsuit. From our offices in South Carolina, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, we are assisting Clients with Camp Lejeune claims nationwide seek financial compensation for damages for harm caused by the toxic exposure. Call now to speak with a Camp Lejeune attorney today at (888) 348-2735. There is a limited time period in which you may file a claim, don’t delay.
About The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows water contamination victims to file a claim against the United States Federal Government for financial compensation. Those service members, families, workers, and any other person who resided at North Carolina’s Marine Corps Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987 are eligible.
The new law works the same way traditional personal injury claims are handled. Additionally, the Act overrules North Carolina state law, and all state laws, that prohibit lawsuits like this because of their statute of limitations or statute of repose. These cases will be consolidated in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
The new law constitutes a major victory for those suffering from serious debilitating medical conditions as a result of their exposure to dangerous chemicals in Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water supply. For the first time all victims of water contamination who spent time at the military base including civilian workers, civilian employees, and military families, regardless of military service, are able to obtain legal representation and eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit and take legal recourse to obtain monetary compensation. Also, for the first time the bill would allow claims to be brought by and on behalf of those in-utero at the time of their toxic exposure. The effects of exposures to unborn children in utero include miscarriages, neural tube defects, neurobehavioral effects, the risk of birth defects, and other health concerns. Our attorneys have already begun the process of moving forward with Camp Lejeune bladder cancer lawsuits and Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s disease lawsuits.
At Marin and Barrett, Inc., we anticipate hundreds of thousands of military personnel and their families who were stationed at Camp Lejeune who are now suffering with serious medical conditions to file lawsuits in federal court in North Carolina based on the duration of exposure. These cases will be consolidated under a single federal judge through the multi-district litigation process (MDL).
Is there a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Deadline?
There is a strict two year statute of limitations to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit that began on August 10th, 2022. The law also waives North Carolina’s statute of repose which allows family members to use the legal process to file wrongful death claims on behalf of their loved ones who died as a result of the toxic exposure. The sooner you initiate a claim, the sooner you will be able to recover financial compensation.
Health Issues Related to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Water contamination at Camp Lejeune has been shown to cause serious health effects for thousands of people. Scientific evidence and medical evidence now links the exposure to toxic chemicals found at Camp Lejeune to serious health issues including types of cancer, birth defects, and more.
The Veterans Administration has historically been very limited in granting claims for disability benefits due to water contamination exposure at Camp Lejeune. Unlike the V.A., the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 does not provide a limited list of cancers and health issues eligible to file a claim. Instead, the Act allows individuals to bring a claim for any “harm” they have suffered as long as they can show a sufficient evidence between the harm and exposure to carcinogenic chemicals in contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. This allows those suffering from health problems due to toxic water contamination to file Camp Lejeune cancer lawsuits, Parkinson’s disease claims, miscarriage claims, and birth defect claims.
The water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated from leaking waste disposal sites, underground storage tanks, businesses near the base, and from military operations. Toxic chemicals contaminated the base water for decades, over thirty years in total, exposing nearly one million people to serious health hazards. The base water supply was contaminated with toxic chemicals including PCE or PERC (Tetrachloroethylene), TCE (Trichloroethylene), Vinyl Chloride, and Benzene.
Diseases and Common Symptoms of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Scientific studies of individuals exposed occupationally or environmentally to TCE, PCE, vinyl chloride, or benzene link these chemicals to a higher risk of common cancers, common diseases, and the following health issues:
• Kidney Cancer
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Multiple Myeloma and other myelodysplastic syndromes including aplastic anemia
• Leukemia (all types)
• Liver Cancer
• Central Nervous System Cancer (brain or spinal cord)
• Miscarriage
• Male Infertility and Female Infertility
• Bladder Cancer
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Kidney Disease
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Breast Cancer (male or female)
• Rectal Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
• Thyroid Cancer
• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease
• Cervical Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Stomach Cancer
• Aplastic Anemia and other Bone Marrow Conditions
• Renal Toxicity and End-Stage Renal Disease
• Birth Defects, Low Birth Weight, and Birth Injury
• Neural Tube Birth Defects
• Neurobehavioral Effects
• Cardiac Effects
• Neurologic Effects (vision perception, attention, and memory problems)
• Scleroderma
• Impaired Immune System Function
• Liver Cirrhosis
• Fatty Liver Disease
• Hepatic Steatosis
• Brain Cancer
• Colon Cancer
In 2012, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs revised their eligibility criteria for health benefits and disability compensation for those exposed to contaminated water at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune. The revision listed a number of presumptive service connection conditions eligible for disability benefits to veterans and medical care related to water contamination issue at Camp Lejeune. Those presumptive service connection conditions were:
Can I file a Claim if I was Exposed to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination In Utero? Can I file a Claim if my Unborn child was exposed In Utero and I suffered a miscarriage?
Many families who resided or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 were unknowingly exposed to highly toxic chemicals in the contaminated water supply. Many expecting mothers who were unknowingly exposed to the toxic water supply suffered miscarriages. Others whose unborn children were exposed to contaminated water in utero at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune were born with birth defects while others developed childhood cancers. Birth defects and cancers tied to toxic chemicals in Camp Lejeune water include spina bifida, cardiac defects, oral clefts and lymphomas.
In 2015, the Committee on the Review of Clinical Guidance for the Care of Health Conditions Identified by the Camp Lejeune Legislation confirmed several birth defects could occur after in utero exposure. A federal study in 2003 found the rate of certain birth defects at Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune was 265 times higher than the national average. Mothers exposed to contaminated water while living on base also reported miscarriages and stillbirths. The VA officially added miscarriages to its list of presumptive service connection conditions linked to Camp Lejeune.
Birth defects associated with effects of exposure to dangerous chemicals found in Camp Lejeune’s water supply, include:
Spina bifida
Anencephaly (missing part of the brain or skull)
Heart defects
Miscarriage
Stillbirth
Cleft Defects
Fortunately, exposure to TCE, PCE, benzene and vinyl chloride doesn’t necessarily mean a baby will be born with birth defects or other negative health impacts. The likelihood of developing birth defects increases with increased exposure. People exposed to the most chemicals for the longest time have the greatest risk.
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry conducted a 2013 study of 12,598 mothers who lived on Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune between 1968 and 1985 and reviewed their medical records. The agency concluded maternal exposures to TCE and benzene during the first trimester of pregnancy increased the risk for neural tube birth defects, which are malformations that affect the brain and spine. Exposure to PCE and vinyl chloride were associated with an increase in the risk of childhood cancers. Those who were exposed are eligible to file a childhood cancer lawsuit or birth defect claim.
Other ATSDR studies show pregnant women exposed to TCE in water during pregnancy have an increased chance of having a baby born with heart defects. Dr. Ann Aschengrau of the Boston University Superfund Research Program led a team of scientists who studied children exposed to PCE through water contamination in Massachusetts. They found “cleft lip and palate and neural tube defects were three times more common among babies who had been exposed in the womb to PCE.”
In 2003, a federal study found the risk of childhood cancers was 15.7 times higher at Camp Lejeune than the national average. The same ATSDR study for birth defects also found children could have developed cancers from Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water. These cancers are called hematopoietic cancers, specifically leukemia, lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
If would like to file a claim on behalf of your child, baby, or unborn child due to in utero toxic exposure to water contamination at Marine Corps Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987. It is important to take legal action quickly. Typically, North Carolina’s 10-year statute of repose would bar claims being brought on behalf of individuals who passed away, including fetal deaths, more than 10 years prior to the brining of the case. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows representatives of the individual’s estate to bring a claim in the District Court on their behalf dating all the way back to 1953 if the claim is filed within the two year statute of limitations commencing on August 10th, 2022. Contact us today at (888) 348-2735 to speak a our Camp Lejeune water contamination attorney about filing a claim for financial compensation for a birth defect or a miscarriage.
HISTORY OF WATER CONTAMINATION AT CAMP LEJEUNE NORTH CAROLINA
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s has indicated that past exposures from the 1950s through February 1985 to trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride, and other contaminants in the drinking water at the Camp Lejeune likely increased the risk of cancers (kidney, multiple myeloma, leukemias, and others), adverse birth outcomes, and other adverse health effects of residents (including infants and children), civilian workers, Marines and Naval personnel.
WHAT caused Camp Lejeune water contamination?
Two water-distribution plants, Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace, that historically supplied finished water to the majority of family housing units at the Military Base and were contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Hadnot Point (HP) began operations in 1942 and served the main side barracks, Hospital Point family housing, and family housing at Midway Park, Paradise Point, and Berkeley Manor until 1972. The water supply from Hadnot Point was contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE) with maximum levels of 1,400 parts per billion (pub) detected in the drinking water. The current maximum contaminant level for TCE in drinking water is 5 ppb. Other contaminants detected in the Hadnot Point water supply included PCE (perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene), DCE (trans-1,2-dichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, and benzene. The sources of the contamination included leaking underground storage tanks, a water treatment plant, a water treatment facility, waste disposal sites and waste disposal practices.
Tarawa Terrace (TT) began operations in 1952 and ceased operations in 1987. It served the Tarawa Terrace family base housing and the Knox trailer park. The Tarawa Terrace water supply was contaminated with PCE with maximum levels of 215 ppb detected in February 1985. The source of the contamination was dry cleaning solvents from ABC One-Hour Cleaners, an off-base dry cleaning business. Most of the Tarawa Terrace’s contaminated wells were shut down in February 1985.
What is TCE (trichloroethylene)?
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a volatile, colorless liquid organic chemical. TCE does not occur naturally and is created by chemical synthesis. It is used primarily to make refrigerants and other hydrofluorocarbons and as a degreasing solvent for metal equipment. TCE is also used in some household products, such as cleaning wipes, aerosol cleaning products, tool cleaners, paint removers, spray adhesives, and carpet cleaners and spot removers.
Prolonged or extended duration exposure of trichloroethylene causes kidney cancer. Some scientific studies and evidence suggests that this liquid chemical may be associated with an increased risks of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and, possibly, liver cancer.
What is PCE (tetrachloroethylene or PERC)?
PCE is an industrial chemical that is utilized for a number of different commercial applications including dry-cleaning fabrics, degreasing metal machinery, and manufacturing chemicals. Tetrachloroethylene exposure may have an adverse effect on the nervous system, liver, kidneys, and reproductive system, and may be harmful to unborn children. If you are exposed to tetrachloroethylene, continuously, over a long period of time, you may also be at a higher risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Additionally, Tetrachloroethylene may have effects on pregnancy and unborn children. Studies in people are not clear on this subject, but studies in animals show problems with pregnancy (such as miscarriage, birth defects, and slowed growth of the baby) after oral and inhalation chronic exposure to tetrachloroethylene.
What is Vinyl Chloride?
Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas that burns easily. It does not occur naturally and must be produced industrially for its commercial uses. Vinyl chloride is used primarily to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC); PVC is used to make a variety of plastic products, including pipes, wire and cable coatings, and packaging materials.
Exposure to Vinyl chloride is associated with an increased risk of a rare form of liver cancer (hepatic angiosarcoma), as well as brain and lung cancers, lymphoma, and leukemia.
What is Benzene?
Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor. It evaporates quickly when exposed to air. Benzene is formed from natural processes, such as volcanoes and forest fires, but most exposure to benzene results from human activities. Benzene is among the 20 most widely used chemicals in the United States.
Benzene is known to cause cancer, based on evidence from studies in both people and lab animals. The link between benzene and cancer has largely focused on leukemia and other cancers of blood cells.
FAQ’s: Filing a Lawsuit Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022
What Conditions Are Associated With Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 covers all medical conditions linked to contaminated drinking water exposure during the contamination period from 1953 to 1987, including the list of presumptive conditions outlined by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Cancer is most prominently featured in the Camp Lejeune data but other illnesses and harm include neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, infertility, miscarriages and birth defects.
Is There a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Class Action Lawsuit?
No, there is not a Camp Lejeune water contamination class action lawsuit against the United States Federal Government. All toxic water contamination victims, including active duty, retired, family members, or base workers, seeking financial compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 will be required to individually assert their legal right to a claim. Additionally, those suffering negative health effects from dangerous water contamination at Camp Lejeune will not be allowed to seek punitive damages in this litigation.
What evidence will help me pursue a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?
To file a Camp Lejeune Act claim, it will be important to be able to provide your Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer with your military service records, birth certificate, your disability records and disability rating, base housing records, medical records showing your diagnosis with one of the presumptive conditions. For maternal exposures, it will be important to show your housing or work records to show exposure to contaminants and chemicals in the drinking water during pregnancy. It will also be important to provide your Camp Lejeune attorney with all of your medical records and medical bills so that you can be reimbursed for your medical expenses, including out of pocket medical costs.
Can I File a Claim Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 if I Already Received VA Disability Benefits?
Yes, you can file a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 if you have already received U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits or a disability rating for presumptive conditions due to water contamination at Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station New River (MCAS New River). Any Award under the Act will not impede or limit an individuals continued or future disability compensation or health care benefits and medical treatments.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer to File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?
It will cost you nothing in attorneys fees or expenses to file a claim unless we recover for you. The personal injury lawsuit attorneys at Marin and Barrett, Inc. are representing clients with Camp Lejeune water contamination claims on a contingency fee basis. This means you will never pay for our services out-of-pocket and we will only collect a fee once we help you recover financial compensation.
How Do I Join the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
To join the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit and file a claim due to your toxic exposure to water contamination at Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, please contact our toxic water lawsuit lawyers today at (888) 348-2735. When you call, Marin and Barrett, Inc. will provide you with a free, no-obligation consultation and discuss with you your legal options and what is required to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit, Camp Lejeune cancer lawsuit or Camp Lejeune wrongful death claim. Our legal team stands ready to assist victims of Camp Lejeune’s water contamination and help them take legal action to recover compensatory damages from the United States Federal Government for their medical expenses and the adverse health effects they have endured due to their exposure to hazardous chemicals.
From our offices in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and South Carolina we are able to provide legal representation to water contamination victims including both the administrative claims process and with filing civil lawsuits including wrongful death lawsuits caused by harm from exposure to hazardous chemicals. A wrongful death claim can be brought by the personal representative of your loved one’s estate.
