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Camp Lejeune Attorney
Between 1953 and 1987, the residents of Camp Lejeune, a 246-square-mile (640-square-kilometer) United States military training facility in Jacksonville, North Carolina, including military personnel, their families, and civilian employees, were potentially exposed to contaminated drinking water.
The water supply was found to be tainted with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a variety of chemicals that can evaporate under normal atmospheric conditions and are known for their potential to cause significant health hazards. These compounds, first detected in the water in 1982, can have profound impacts on human health, including respiratory, neurological, and other systemic effects. Despite the early detection and the known risks associated with VOC exposure, it took five long years before any corrective action was initiated, with measures finally being implemented in 1987.
The Wide-Ranging Impact of the Contamination
The repercussions of this contamination were potentially far-reaching, affecting thousands of people directly, and indirectly impacting many more. The health consequences of exposure to these VOCs could be severe, with numerous diseases and conditions linked to the contaminated water.
The water contamination involves specific types of VOCs that have been pinpointed as primary contaminants. These substances, each with its own set of uses and risks, include, but are not limited to the following:
- Benzene: Often utilized as a solvent in gasoline and in the synthesis of various chemicals, benzene is recognized as a carcinogen, linking it to cancer risks.
- Tetrachloroethylene (PCE): Widely used in dry cleaning and metal degreasing, PCE has been classified as a probable carcinogen to humans.
- Trichloroethylene (TCE): Commonly employed in industrial cleaning, TCE’s carcinogenic properties place it in the same hazardous category as benzene.
- Vinyl Chloride: Formed as tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene break down, this gas is not only carcinogenic but also linked with an increased risk of liver, brain, and lung cancers.
Each of these chemicals, upon identification in the water supply, signaled a danger to public health, necessitating urgent attention and action.
Chain Reactions: The Extended Consequences
The repercussions of the Camp Lejeune water contamination extend far beyond the base’s perimeters, intentionally affecting not only those directly exposed but also their families. As family members witness their loved ones grapple with health complications, the emotional strain is profound. This distress, intertwined with the financial demands of ongoing medical care, creates a cascade of challenges that ripple through time.
Have You or Someone you Love Been Exposed to Camp Lejeune water contamination?
Recognizing the Problem: Identifying the Signs
If you or someone you know was stationed, lived, or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and is experiencing any of the following health issues, there may be a link to the water contamination that occurred during that time:
- Adult leukemia;
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes;
- Birth defects;
- Bladder cancer;
- Breast cancer;
- Esophageal cancer;
- Female infertility;
- Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease);
- Kidney cancer;
- Leukemia;
- Liver cancer;
- Lung cancer;
- Miscarriages;
- Multiple myeloma;
- Myelodysplastic syndromes (disorders affecting bone marrow);
- Neurobehavioral problems;
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma;
- Parkinson’s disease;
- Renal toxicity (kidney damage); and
- Scleroderma (a group of autoimmune diseases)
These conditions have been associated with the contaminants found in the water at Camp Lejeune.
The Hard Facts: The Severity of the Situation
Research asserts a connections between contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and a multitude of health conditions. Among the pivotal studies conducted over the years:
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Report: This research summarizes the water contamination at Camp Lejeune up to 2009. The findings underscored a connection between chemical exposure from the base’s drinking water and diverse health conditions. Read the VA Report.
- VA Service Connection Declaration: The VA recognized a presumptive service connection for those exposed to Camp Lejeune’s water contaminants between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. Affected individuals who subsequently developed diseases like adult leukemia, kidney cancer, and disease, among others, were acknowledged in this declaration. Details on VA Public Health.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Chapter: This chapter sheds light on the potential health impacts on Camp Lejeune residents from the contaminated water supplies. It importantly notes that while there’s indirect evidence connecting water contamination to health outcomes, research specific to the Camp Lejeune populace remains somewhat limited in scope and depth of exposure assessment. Read the NCBI Chapter.
- Additionally, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has been rigorously assessing human health risks from hazardous substances at Camp Lejeune since the late 1980s, yielding significant studies on the topic.
In August 2022, President Biden signed into law H.R. 3967, a bipartisan piece of legislation designed to enhance health care and benefits for veterans. Within this comprehensive Act is Section 804, known specifically as the “Camp Lejeune Justice Act” marked a significant milestone. According to the provisions of this legislation, it empowers those impacted by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune to initiate lawsuits in federal court. Official records indicate that, as of May 2023, upwards of 900 lawsuits have been filed in a federal court in North Carolina, with a notable portion—rexceeding 100 cases—citing injuies related to the contaminated water.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act sets a deadline: anyone affected has until August 10, 2024, to submit their claims for review. Once a claim is submitted, if someone doesn’t agree with the settlement offered, or if they get no answer within six months, according to the bill they can then can file their case in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
The Path to Rectification: Legal Aid
As a Camp Lejeune Lawyer, Kelly Hyman can guide you through the process of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Contact The Hyman Law Firm, P.A. for a free consultation.
Kelly Hyman
Attorney
Step Forward for Justice
If you or a family member has been affected by the Camp Lejeune water contamination, it’s time to seek justice. The Hyman Law Firm, P.A. is here to guide you through every step of the way.
If you believe you may be entitled to compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, contact The Hyman Law Firm, P.A. for a free consultation. The Hyman Law Firm, P.A. is committed to fighting for our clients and ensuring they receive the justice they deserve. Call The Hyman Law Firm, P.A. now and let The Hyman Law Firm, P.A. help you navigate this legal journey.
