Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Claims

From 1953 to 1987, if you and your family were residents or served in the military at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, the US Government has admitted that you were likely exposed to contaminated tap water on the base. It is estimated that over one million people were poisoned by the US Government. Toxic chemicals in the water may have led to a range of negative health effects, including many types of cancers. This past August 2022 after many years of lobbying by veterans groups, Congress finally passed a bill that the President has signed called the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, which allows veterans, their family members, and others who were stationed, worked or resided on the Marine Corps Base at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina for at least thirty (30) days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, and sustained injuries due to exposure to contaminated water to file suit for financial compensation from the government. This bill allows these individuals to sue and recover damages for harm from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. The new law prohibits the U.S. government from asserting immunity from a lawsuit.

If you believe that you or a family member lived or worked at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987 that led to illness, disability, or death, you may be entitled compensation.  You may be asking, why do I need a lawyer to make a claim? I can just handle it on my own. Probably not. You most likely need to file a lawsuit to make your claim, and you will need to prove causation linked to the cancer, illness or death from living or working at Camp Lejeune. Many claims may be denied or otherwise significantly delayed.  Contact the toxic water exposure lawyers at Duncan Firm to explore your options and start the process today, which may take several years. Start your claim now. We have experience with toxic chemical exposure claims.

Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Background

In 1980, Camp Lejeune began testing its water for toxins in response to new EPA regulations. It was discovered that two of the base’s eight drinking wells were contaminated with industrial chemicals at 240 to 3400 times safe levels, mainly a dry-cleaning solvent and degreaser. The source of the pollution may have been a nearby, off-base dry-cleaning company, leaks from underground fuel storage tanks, and/or on-base cleaning crews.

Officials at the base were repeatedly notified of the toxic water issue, but failed to take action for years. In 1987, the last contaminated well was finally shut down. However, health problems caused by the polluted water have continued to harm victims ever since.

Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, part of the larger Honoring Our PACT Act, has been signed into law, and authorizes those affected to bring a lawsuit against the US Government and other defendants for damages suffered because of the poisoned water. Individuals must be able to prove that they resided at the base for at least 30 days and developed a medical condition related to their exposure to toxic water, including but not limited to:

• Liver cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Lung cancer
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Adult leukemia
• Parkinson’s disease
• Female infertility or miscarriage
• Bladder Cancer
• Myeloma
• Esophageal Cancer
• Renal Toxicity
• Scleroderma
• Cardiac Birth defects (in utero only)
• Childhood Leukemia 

The experienced legal team at Duncan Firm will help you determine if you are eligible for compensation and pursue your case to the fullest extent possible. Our lawyers have experience litigating toxic exposure cases.