Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a military base located on the coast of North Carolina. The base has housed and employed over a million people in Eastern North Carolina throughout its storied history.
Tragically, for over 30 years, between 1953 and 1987, drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with dangerous chemicals linked to cancer, Parkinson’s disease, birth defects, and more.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which became law on August 10, 2022, allows marines, family members, and any civilian contractors harmed by the toxic water, which was supplied to the base for decades, to pursue compensation through administrative claims, and ultimately, lawsuits.
Those who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987 may be eligible to file a claim. Additionally, the descendants of the impacted person may qualify for a claim if the affected person is deceased.
Contact The Dowling Firm for a free consultation to see if you are eligible to pursue a claim.
It is important to keep in mind that there is only one federal court in the entire country where Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits can be filed: the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Mike Dowling clerked for a federal judge on that same court, and he has spent the majority of his legal career litigating cases against the government in that court. Mike has received numerous accolades for his work.
Mike is a summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Duke University and a graduate of Duke University School of Law. He has deep ties to North Carolina, and is a trusted, tenacious North Carolina lawyer who is familiar with the unique customs and practices of litigating against the government in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Mike Dowling and his law firm stand ready to help Marines, their families, civilian contractors, and other on-base personnel who have been impacted by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
If you believe you may qualify for a lawsuit, reach out to our law firm as soon as possible.
FAQ
What Happened at Camp Lejeune?
For decades, the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune water supply was contaminated with several dangerous chemicals. Service members, their families, non-military workers, contractors, and more were exposed to toxic water and subsequently developed life-altering medical conditions. The water contamination also impacted those stationed at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, just a few miles away.
Health care benefits and other forms of compensation were largely not afforded to those who suffered. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows victims to file administrative claims and lawsuits to seek compensation for what they’ve endured.
What Is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows any person who was at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987 to file a compensation claim.
How Do I File a Claim for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
If you believe you may qualify for a lawsuit, reach out to our law firm as soon as possible. We are available to assist you both on our website and by phone at 919-529-3351.
Where Do Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuits Need to be Filed?
There is only one federal court in the entire country where these claims can be filed: the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Mike Dowling clerked for a federal judge on that court, and he has spent most of his career litigating cases against the government there. Mike Dowling is a trusted eastern North Carolina lawyer firm ready to help marines, their families, civilian contractors, and other on-base personnel who have been impacted by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
How Much is a Camp Lejeune Settlement?
It’s too early to estimate how much a settlement for Camp Lejeune water contamination will be for an individual claimant. More information on settlement amounts will be available as the litigation progress is completed. Ultimately, the Act allows victims to ask a jury to award fair compensation for their claims if claims can’t be settled.
What Was Found in the Water at Camp Lejeune?
Scientific and medical evidence has shown that drinking water sources that supplied Camp Lejeune and its resident housing were contaminated by toxic chemicals from various sources.
Some reports have noted that the water at Camp Lejeune was among the most contaminated and toxic in the country at the time. Yet, the military refused to acknowledge what was going on until the past decade or so, even with the base’s Commanding General telling residents the contamination was of a “minute trace.”
Where Did the Contamination Come From?
Tarawa Terrace Treatment Plant and Hadnot Point Treatment Plant are two facilities used in Camp Lejeune’s water supply where the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) discovered rampant contamination spanning decades.
The ATSDR report found that Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) seeped into the water treatment plants that supplied the base and its residents. Camp Lejeune residents and workers drank, bathed in, cooked with, and used contaminated water for decades.
Which Chemicals Were Found Present in the Water?
Certain chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune were measured at levels up to 3,400 times the regulated safety standards. The ATSDR’s findings expose the severity of the water contamination at Camp Lejeune. The following chemicals were present in the water at Camp Lejeune.
Tetrachloroethylene (PERC)
Tetrachloroethylene (PERC) is an industrial solvent most commonly used in dry-cleaning fabrics, as a metal degreasing agent, and for chemical manufacturing. PERC was found in the water at Camp Lejeune, likely leaking from a dry-cleaning shop off the base. Exposure to PERC can lead to various types of cancer and other major, deadly health impacts.
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a chemical solvent used as a degreaser for metal machinery and in the production of other chemical agents. TCE is also used in wood finishes, paint removers, and stain removers. TCE has major health impacts if ingested: cancer, reproductive system and birth defects, immune system effects, and liver, kidney, and nervous system issues.
Vinyl Chloride
Vinyl Chloride was found in the water supplies at Camp Lejeune. This chemical is an important industrial compound used primarily in the production of PVC pipes. Exposure to Vinyl Chloride can lead to several health effects, including various cancers, central nervous system issues, and more.
Benzene
Benzene is another chemical that was discovered in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. Benzene, although naturally produced, is a common chemical used in manufacturing plastics and other synthetic materials. Long-term exposure to Benzene can have a dangerous effect on the bone marrow, red blood cell count, immune system, reproductive system, fetal development, and more.
What are Some of the Known Health Conditions May Result from Exposure to Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?
Contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune has had several dangerous and deadly health effects. Leaking into the water supply that served the base and its residents, these chemicals were the direct cause of countless life-altering medical conditions and deaths.
The Veterans Administration released a list of presumptive conditions for Camp Lejeune. If you were diagnosed with one of the conditions on the list, the VA will presume that it is linked to water contamination at the base.
The toxic chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune have been linked to the following health problems, diseases, and disorders:
Cancer
Cancer injuries associated with Camp Lejeune water contamination exposure include:
- Bladder Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
- Multiple Myeloma and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other bone marrow conditions
Non-Cancer
Non-cancerous injuries associated with Camp Lejeune water contamination exposure include:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Renal toxicity
- Birth defects and birth injury
- Miscarriage
- Neurobehavioral effects
If you have been diagnosed with any of the above health problems and were present at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987, contact us today for a free consultation.
Do I Qualify for a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?
If you were at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987, you might be eligible to file a claim.
According to the language in the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and in the Veterans Administration press release on presumptive conditions, anybody who resided at Camp Lejeune between those dates may be eligible: veterans, family members of military staff, non-military staff, civilian contractors, in-utero (unborn) victims, and families of deceased victims all may be eligible to file claims.
What Kind of Documentation do I Need?
If you believe you qualify for a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit, it’s important to gather all evidence relating to your time at the military base and subsequent medical diagnoses. These are key documents that can help build your case:
- Documents proving your time spent at Camp Lejeune
- Military service records and authorizations (if applicable)
- Medical records, medical bills, receipts, etc.
- Healthcare information
- Veterans Administration documents
- Information on prior benefits claims or disability compensation
What Kind of Damages May Be Recoverable in a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?
Damages in a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit vary depending on each particular case, but more generally, damages you may be able to recover in a claim may include the following:
- Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering or emotional damages
- Loss of quality of life
- Permanent disability and other life-altering health effects