Our veterans deserve to be treated with care and respect. Unfortunately, countless veterans and their families are dealing with the aftermath of water contamination at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Now, our team at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP is working with people to obtain the justice they deserve.
It’s vital to recognize the problem itself and the problems that have arisen from it. Below, our team will provide you with valuable information to help you recognize if you may have been affected because of water contamination at Camp Lejeune. This goes for veterans, family members, women, children, and civilians living on base.
The Problem
The drinking sources at Camp Lejeune included contaminated water, and officials were aware of this issue for decades. Between 1953 and 1987, traces of multiple chemicals were found in the water used for bathing, cooking, or consumption. The chemicals included:
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Benzene
- Vinyl chloride
The drinking water and other sources contained these chemicals, all of which have been identified to exceed maximum contamination levels by the Environmental Protection Agency. Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace are the two different water treatment plants in the area.
The United States Marine Corps identified the contamination in 1982, yet the contaminated wells were not shut down until February of 1985. As a result, everyone on base—not just military servicemembers—was at risk of water contamination exposure and the ongoing symptoms.
The Results
Veterans, families, and civilians alike may have developed numerous medical conditions because of their exposure to Camp Lejeune’s water contamination. Here are the different conditions that have been linked to the contamination:
- Bladder cancer
- Liver cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Breast cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Brain/CNS cancers
- Lung cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Cardiac birth defects
- Multiple myeloma
- Kidney disease
- Parkinson’s disease
- Systemic sclerosis or scleroderma
- Hepatic steatosis
- Female infertility
- Miscarriage
- Aplastic anemia
- Neurobehavioral effects
Individuals enduring these conditions may qualify to recover disability compensation under the Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012. Make sure you discuss your options with someone who can help you understand how to move forward.
The Legal Matters
Our veterans and their families, as well as other civilians living on base at Camp Lejeune don’t deserve to endure long-time health conditions because of their exposure to known contaminated water. As such, legal options may be available in the future. While there’s no set legal precedent at this moment, there’s encouragement for legislators to pass a bill that would help.
If a bill is put in place and passes, it would allow individuals who were on base for over 30 days between 1953 and 1987 to pursue compensation for the damages they endure.
If you or someone you love believes you were affected on base by the water contamination, we want to speak with you. We want to learn more about your situation and help build your voice to hold responsible parties accountable for the conditions you currently endure.
Our lawyers at Spangenberg Shibley & Liber LLP care about our veterans. We want to fight for justice when it matters most. You can reach out to us by filling out our online form or giving us a call to let us know how you or your family have been affected. If you’re dealing with any of the above conditions, it can help you understand your rights to pursue compensation should legislation pass.
