Camp Lejeune Lawsuits | Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Marines stationed at Camp Lejeune, their families and civilian workers at the North Carolina Marine Corps’ base between August 1953 and December 1987 were potentially exposed to TCE (Trichloroethylene), PCE (Perchloroethylene), benzene and vinyl chloride. Now, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 could bring justice to those who were exposed to the contaminated water and later developed many types of Cancer, Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), Parkinson’s disease, Sclerosis and multiple Myeloma, among other health problems.
“The U.S. government acknowledges that for nearly 35 years, until 1987, those who lived on a Marine base in North Carolina were potentially exposed to dangerous chemicals, drinking, swimming, and bathing in potentially toxic water.” (CBS News)
Peiffer Wolf is fighting on behalf of those who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. If you or a loved one were diagnosed with cancer or other health problems after being stationed or working at the Marine Corps’ Camp Lejeune base between 1953 and 1987, you should Contact Us today by filling out an online contact form or by calling 504-523-2434 for a FREE Consultation.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits | What happened?
“Exposures to contaminants — such as trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride and others — at Camp Lejeune likely increased the risk of certain cancers, adverse birth outcomes and other health impacts from the 1950s through February 1985, according to the Centers for Disease Control’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).” (The Hill)
From August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, oil, industrial waste and chemicals dumped into storm drains at Camp Lejeune exposed marines, civilian workers and their families to TCE (Trichloroethylene), PCE (Perchloroethylene), benzene and vinyl chloride. These chemicals were found both in Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point’s water treatment facilities. According to a report from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry,
“Water from the Tarawa Terrace water treatment plant was primarily contaminated by PCE (perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene). The source of the contamination was the waste disposal practices at ABC One-Hour Cleaners, an off-base dry cleaning firm. […] ATSDR estimated that PCE concentrations exceeded the current EPA maximum contaminant level of 5 ppb in drinking water from the Tarawa Terrace water treatment plant for 346 months during November 1957-February 1987. […]
Water from the Hadnot Point water treatment plant was contaminated primarily by TCE (trichloroethylene). Other contaminants in the drinking water included PCE and benzene and TCE degradation products trans-1,2-DCE (t-1,2-dichloroethylene) and vinyl chloride. Supply wells were contaminated by multiple sources: leaking underground storage tanks, industrial area spills, and waste disposal sites. ATSDR modeled the contamination and estimated that at least one VOC [volatile organic compound] exceeded its current EPA maximum contaminant level in drinking water during August 1953 and January 1985.”
As a result, many people have been diagnosed with serious health problems including:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cardiac defects
- Colon cancer
- End-stage renal disease
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility
- Hepatic steatosis
- Kidney cancer
- Laryngeal cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver Cancer
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
- Systemic sclerosis
Sometimes, the problems were so severe that they led to death.
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with cancer or other health problems after being stationed at or working at the Marine Corps’ Camp Lejeune base between 1953 and 1987, you should Contact Us today by filling out an online contact form or by calling 504-523-2434 for a FREE Consultation.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits | Can I file a claim?
On June 16, the Senate voted to pass the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. The act had already passed the US House of Representatives on March 4, 2022. Once signed into law by President Biden, the act will allow marines, civilians and their families to seek reparations.
Who will be able to file a claim once the bill is signed into law:
- Anyone diagnosed with health problems after working and/or living at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more, at any point between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987;
- Family members/representatives of anyone who passed away as a result of being exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more, at any point between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act will allow all victims to seek reparations regardless of the year of diagnosis or death.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits | FREE Consultation
Peiffer Wolf represents individuals who have been the victims of negligence, fraud, or the misconduct of powerful interests. Our team is currently representing victims of RoundUp and Paraquat, as well as TCE Contamination in Springfield, IL, among other cases.
If you or a loved one were diagnosed with cancer or other health problems after being stationed at or working at the Marine Corps’ Camp Lejeune base between 1953 and 1987, you should Contact Us today by filling out an online contact form or by calling 504-523-2434 for a FREE Consultation.
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