Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyers
Advocating for Those Affected by Toxic Water
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is a 240-square-mile military training facility bordering the Atlantic Ocean in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Since its establishment in 1941, Camp Lejeune has housed millions of service members and their families and employed thousands of civilian workers.
In 1982, the Marine Corps discovered toxic levels of contamination in the base water supply, believed to have begun in the 1950s, exposing all who resided or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987. Though aware of the water contamination, the government failed to address the issue for decades, resulting in more than 1 million veterans, military workers, and their families suffering chronic or fatal illnesses due to toxic water exposure.
What Contaminants Were Found in the Water at Camp Lejeune?
How Was the Water at Camp Lejeune Contaminated?
During the 1940s and 1950s, industrial contaminants and oil were discharged into the storm drains at Camp Lejeune, which began seeping into the area’s groundwater. Camp Lejeune housed two separate water systems. Due to weak environmental regulations, the base water supply was not thoroughly tested until the 1980s, when it was discovered that both systems suffered a series of contamination, predominantly by PCE and TCE. News of the contamination became public in 1984.
To make matters worse, it was discovered that storage tanks at the base fuel depot had leaked thousands of gallons of fuel into the surrounding earth, prompting the state of North Carolina to shutter the depot in 1989.
Decades later, the U.S. government finally took the initiative to address the contamination and acknowledge those who suffered harm from the toxic water exposure. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began providing disability benefits to qualifying veterans and their family members, and the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was enacted to allow victims to file a lawsuit against the federal government for compensation.
What Is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act?
Who Is Eligible to File a Lawsuit for Water Contamination Exposure?
What Compensation Can I Seek for My Illness?
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Lawsuit?
The deadline for filing a claim is August 10, 2024, two years from the date the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was signed into law. Victims whose disability claims are denied by various federal agencies, such as the VA, are entitled to file a lawsuit within 180 days of the denial date.
Those who do not file a lawsuit before the deadline will forfeit their right to compensation, so it is in your best interests to speak with an experienced water contamination lawyer as soon as possible.
How Much Are Camp Lejeune Claims Worth?
Currently filed lawsuits are seeking over $3 trillion in damages, which is likely to increase as more are filed before the deadline. However, the requested figure is considerably higher than the government expects to disperse.
In September 2023, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Navy introduced the Camp Lejeune Elective Option to streamline the process and offer expedited payouts to those with five or more years of exposure and suffering a limited list of illnesses. Settlements vary from $100,000 to $450,000, depending on the type of illness and date of diagnosis. Wrongful death claims will receive an additional $100,000. The first three Elective Option payouts were issued in October 2023, totaling $850,000, and the government is awaiting responses to numerous other settlement offers.
At the Law Offices of Duane O. King, our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers are committed to seeking justice for veterans, their families, and others affected by the toxic water supply.