Were You Injured By Toxins In The Water At Camp Lejeune? Legal Relief Is On The Way.
For decades, many veterans, military families and former staff members of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in eastern North Carolina have suffered while waiting for relief from losses associated with exposure to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water supply. Having served their country while living or working at that military base between 1953 and 1987, many of them developed cancer, Parkinson’s disease and other life-altering medical outcomes, including birth defects in their children and miscarriages.
If you have been affected, you may have a ray of hope through the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. This act became law as part of the Honoring Our PACT Act (H.R. 3967) on August 10, 2022. Qualified people may now seek settlements from the U.S. government through administrative channels or bring lawsuits against the government.
Do You Quality For A Settlement?
You may be eligible to bring a claim or lawsuit if you or a deceased close family member lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987. You or your family member may have been diagnosed with any of a long list of medical conditions, including:
- Adult leukemia
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cardiac defects
- Hepatitis A
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Scleroderma
- Skin infections, such as acute dermatitis and impetigo
Perhaps you have suffered other symptoms, such as mental confusion, vertigo, diarrhea or numbness in limbs, even if you do not have a clear diagnosis. At Hardee, Massey & Blodgett, we urge anyone who may have been exposed to the contaminated water to request a free case analysis as soon as possible.
Why Is The Government Responsible For Compensating Affected People?
The Honoring Our PACT Act provides remedies to military personnel and their families who have developed serious illnesses because of toxic exposure that occurred during military service. Camp Lejeune’s history includes a time frame of acute hazards through the water supply between 1953 and 1987, and the relief extends to people living in and working at that military base during the stated time frame. The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) detected the high levels of toxins in Camp Lejeune’s drinking water in 1982, but the exposure continued for five more years. The toxins in the contaminated water included excessive:
- Tetrachloroethylene (PERC)
- Vinyl chloride
- Benzene
These and other substances that were in the water are known to cause cancer and other maladies in humans, especially at the high concentrations found at Camp Lejeune.
What Should You Do Now?
You may have run into obstacles when seeking medical and financial relief previously. Your claims may have been denied by Veterans Affairs or your military branch. Never fear! You may finally have the opportunity to recoup your expenses due to illnesses you developed through Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water.
The first step is to get legal advice. You can also start collecting evidence of your time spent living or working at Camp Lejeune, such as military service, medical and financial records, including medical bills and bank statements during times when you experienced symptoms. If you are eligible and our personal injury lawyers represent you, we will help you compile the documentation you will need to file a claim or lawsuit.
Our personal injury attorneys and law firm are deeply rooted in North Carolina. We are local, knowledgeable and ready to help you get your case underway. Call us at 252-787-4627 or complete our online form to request a free consultation.