If you or a loved one were stationed or employed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, you may have been exposed to toxic chemicals in the water supply. These substances, which include trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene and vinyl chloride, have been linked to many types of cancer.
If you or your loved one are one of the hundreds of thousands of individuals affected by this crisis, we encourage you to contact Roden Law to discuss possible legal options. A Camp Lejeune lawsuit may provide compensation for past and future medical care, along with other damages.
The initial legal consultation is free of charge and there is no obligation to hire our services. Our class action lawyers do not get paid unless you receive compensation. Our firm has recovered millions for injured victims and has decades of combined experience.
There is limited time to file, however, so you should call as soon as possible: 1-844-RESULTS.
How Much Time Is Left To File a Claim for Compensation?
If you think you may have a case, you have limited time to file a lawsuit. The deadline set by the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is August 10, 2024.
Once the deadline passes, you lose the right to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for your damages.
Can You or Your Loved One File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
Hundreds of thousands of people may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit. While there are many factors to review, the bottom line is this: anyone who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, for a minimum of 30 days, may have a case. If you were exposed, you should consider discussing your potential legal options with a licensed attorney.
Most claimants fit into one of the following categories:
- Military service members stationed at the base during the specified dates
- Civilian workers, whether they were military contractors or federal employees
- Family members of veterans or workers, including spouses, children and grandparents
- Anyone else residing on the base during the specified dates, such as extended relatives
You must provide evidence of a health condition, such as cancer, that is directly related to your exposure to the contaminated water.
Some victims have since passed away, but their surviving family members may still be able to file a Camp Lejeune toxic water lawsuit on their behalf.
If you believe that you or a loved one may qualify for a lawsuit, contact Roden Law to confirm your eligibility. If we determine you have the right to file a lawsuit, and you decide to hire our firm, we can quickly get to work building a case. This includes collecting vital evidence, such as medical records, death certificates and proof of residence or employment at Camp Lejeune.
Free legal consultation. Zero upfront costs. Millions recovered. Call Roden Law: 1-844-RESULTS.
Where Did Toxic Water Exposure Occur at Camp Lejeune?
There are numerous locations at Camp Lejeune where people may have drunk or otherwise been exposed to contaminated water, including the following locations:
- Midway Park
- Paradise Point
- Hadnot Point
- Camp Geiger
- Knox Trailer Park
- Mainside Barracks
- Holcomb Boulevard
- Courthouse Bay
- Berkeley Manor
- Rifle Range
- Onslow Beach
- Watkins Village
- Montford Point
Many of these locations were serviced by two water treatment plants – Tarawa Terrace Treatment Plant and Hadnot Point Treatment Plant. Both plants were found to have toxic substances in the water, such as trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, vinyl chloride, and trans-1, 2-dichloroethylene (DCE).
TCE and PCE are linked to cancer and are used for cleaning metal and in dry cleaning. Benzene is another industrial chemical used to produce plastics, resins, nylons and other synthetic materials. Vinyl chloride is created after PCE and TCE break down, and it is used to build packaging materials and pipes.
If you drank or used water that went through one of the treatment plants, you may have an increased risk of developing various forms of cancer. It is likely that many victims were exposed to the hazardous water in many ways, such as by cooking, cleaning or bathing with it.
Cancers and Other Medical Conditions Linked to Camp Lejeune Water
If you or your loved one were diagnosed with one of the following forms of cancer after living or working at Camp Lejeune, you may be able to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit:
- Breast cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Lung cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Liver cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Appendix cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Brain cancer
- Spinal cancer
- Sinus cancer
- Gallbladder cancer
While many Camp Lejeune lawsuits involve cancer, it may be possible to file a lawsuit if you have one of the following medical issues:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Autoimmune disease
- Aplastic anemia
- Infertility in women
- Cognitive disabilities
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Fatty liver disease
- Neurobehavioral problems
- And more
What Evidence Will You Need To File a Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuit?
An experienced lawyer can help you gather the evidence you will need to seek compensation for damages from toxic water exposure.
Proof of Your Presence at Camp Lejeune
- Military Service Records: You must prove you were stationed at Camp Lejeune during the specified period (August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987).
- Proof of Residency: If you lived on the base, you will need documents, such as housing assignments or utility bills, to establish your residency.
- Employment Records: For civilian employees, pay stubs, tax returns, or employer verification can prove you worked at the base during the relevant timeframe.
Medical Proof of Illness
- Medical Records: You need detailed medical records showing your diagnosis. The diagnosis needs to be one of the conditions known to be linked to the toxic chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s water.
- Expert Testimony: Medical expert testimony may be necessary to establish a causal link between your exposure to contaminated water and your diagnosis.
Documentation of Your Damages
- Treatment Records: Claimants will need documentation of ongoing medical treatment and related expenses.
- Disability Records: If the Department of Veterans Affairs declared you disabled, these records can be used to help support your claim.
Evidence of Toxic Water at Camp Lejeune
- Research on the Effects of Toxic Water: Your lawyer must present evidence showing a causal link between illnesses like yours and consumption of toxic water at Camp Lejeune.
- Historical Data on Camp Lejeune’s Water: It may be necessary to present environmental assessments of the water quality during the relevant period. For instance, there may be evidence that the government knew about contaminated water in 1980. It took another nine years before the Environmental Protection Agency added the base to its list of sites that released toxic substances. One year later, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) officially reported that the Tarawa Terrace drinking water system was contaminated with perchloroethylene.
What Compensation May Be Available to Victims?
Camp Lejeune lawsuits may provide various forms of compensation to address victims’ medical issues and other damages:
- Medical Expenses: Cost may include past and future medical treatment of the conditions caused by toxic water exposure.
- Lost Wages: These are the wages you lost because your medical issues prevented you from working.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your ability to work has been compromised, you may be eligible for compensation for the loss of earning potential.
- Pain and Suffering: These damages provide monetary compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your health issues.
- Disability: If your toxic water exposure has led to long-term disability, you may be able to recover compensation for lifestyle adjustments and long-term care.
- Loss of Society and Companionship: Cancer and other health problems caused by contaminated water can have a devastating impact on relationships with family and friends.
- Out-of-Pocket Costs: These are the expenses you incurred because of your toxic water exposure.
- Lost Enjoyment of Life: Severe medical issues can prevent people from taking part in the activities they once enjoyed.
The value of a Camp Lejeune lawsuit is based on various factors, including:
- Severity of Injuries: The more severe the injury, the more the lawsuit is likely to be worth.
- Duration of Exposure: Longer exposure is likely to lead to severe or fatal medical issues, which may mean more compensation.
- Level of Toxic Exposure: The concentration of chemicals you were exposed to plays a critical role in the type and severity of medical issues.
Roden Law has obtained millions for victims of negligence. Contact us today to discuss your situation and review possible legal options.
Free initial legal consultation. Phone: 1-844-RESULTS.
The Camp Lejeune Tiered Settlement System
Your Camp Lejeune lawsuit may qualify for the tiered settlement system set up by the U.S. Navy and the Department of Justice in late 2023.
The system includes two tiers based on the type of cancer/illness the victim has been diagnosed with. The tier one illnesses include:
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Bladder cancer
These are the tier two illnesses:
- Multiple myeloma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Kidney disease (or end-stage renal disease)
- Systemic sclerosis
- Systemic scleroderma
The compensation amounts for each tier are based on how long you were exposed to toxic water. For example, these are the compensation amounts for tier one illnesses:
- 30-364 days of exposure – $150,000
- One to five years of exposure – $300,000
- Greater than five years of exposure to toxic water – $450,000
These are the compensation amounts for the illnesses in tier two:
- $100,000 for exposure between 30 and 364 days
- $250,000 for one to five years of exposure
- $400,000 for more than five years of exposure
This system may allow victims to resolve their claims much faster, so they can receive the compensation they need.
Does a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Affect Your VA Benefits?
No, a Camp Lejeune lawsuit will not affect your veteran’s benefits. You can file a lawsuit while receiving or filing for VA benefits.
If you are unsure if you may have a case, call Roden Law today to discuss a possible Camp Lejeune toxic water lawsuit.
Contact Roden Law To Discuss a Potential Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
The water contamination at Camp Lejeune is one of the worst health crises in U.S. military history. It is estimated that more than one million people have been affected.
While no amount of compensation can undo the damage caused by Camp Lejeune’s toxic water, securing compensation can help you manage health care costs and potentially improve quality of life.
If you believe you may have a valid case, call Roden Law today to discuss your potential path forward. Time is running out to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, so it is important to act quickly.
No upfront costs or fees. Free initial legal consultation. Call us at: 1-844-RESULTS.