The Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits

8Dec

U.S. Veterans, their family members, or others may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water between 1953 and 1987 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and developed cancer or other serious health issues years later. Some of these servicemen, families, or others living/working on or around the base have been deemed ineligible or had their claims denied by the Veterans Administration. Still, a new law may allow them compensation. The Camp LeJeune Justice act of 2021 and the Honoring our PACT act of 2022 will allow these affected individuals and families to have their day in court. Contact Magazine & Light Law Group for your free consultation

The Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Crisis of 1953 to 1987, was a crisis in which multiple water sources providing drinking water to Camp Lejeune were contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene, and other chemicals.[1]

The Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point water treatment plants that shut down in 1985 contained these toxic chemicals:

Trichloroethylene (TCE)
Perchloroethylene (PCE)
Benzene
Vinyl chloride
Other compounds

The VA put forth a plan to provide medical coverage for veterans, reservists, and National Guard members who served at Camp Lejeune and who experienced:[2]

Adult leukemia
Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
Bladder cancer
Kidney cancer
Liver cancer
Multiple myeloma
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Parkinson’s disease

Much of the public outcry and overall awareness of the water crisis only came about because a team of attorneys aggressively litigated to ensure those affected by the water crisis received due compensation.

Family members of Veterans, Guardsmen, and Reservists may also be eligible for financial compensation. Qualifying family members include:

Those who sponsor (the qualifying veteran) were on active duty and served at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987
The spouse or dependent of the veteran during the same period
Those who lived or worked on the base for 30 days or more between the same dates
This includes the infants born of women pregnant on the base during this period

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022

Congress also took action on this crisis and is now moving to send the Camp Lejeune Justice Act to the president’s desk. Quoting Representative Greg Murphy of North Carolina:[3]

“When we send our men and women overseas, we make a promise to care for them when they come home. We failed our veterans when they were exposed to toxic drinking water at Camp Lejeune, and it is up to us to make it right. Our bipartisan bill, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, eliminates burdensome red tape to ensure that those exposed to toxic chemicals, including service members, Marine dependents, civil servants, and contractors, can receive their day in court.”

This bill will assist the attorneys who have been fighting for decades to ensure justice for those harmed by the water crisis.

Legal Representation Ensures Those Who Served Our Country Receive Justice

The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits and the resulting Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 open up the door for more of our veterans, their families, and others working on or around the base during that time to receive the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has received a diagnosis after spending time at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, please call Magazine & Light Law Group for your free consultation.

Sources:

[1] VA. “Camp Lejeune water contamination health issues.” U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 2022. va.gov

[2] VA. “Camp Lejeune: Past Water Contamination.” U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, 2022. va.gov

[3] U.S. Congress. “Camp Lejeune Justice Act Headed to President’s Desk.” U.S. Congressman Gregory F. Murphy, M.D., 2022. gregmurphy.house.gov

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association