Water, a fundamental necessity for human life, turned into a silent enemy at Camp Lejeune. Servicemen and women, civilian employees, and their families, all unknowingly consumed water tainted with hazardous chemicals. This contamination, a stark contrast to what one would expect from a U.S. government-run military base, led to a myriad of unexpected diseases and health issues.
Established in 1942 in Jacksonville, North Carolina, Camp Lejeune has been a cornerstone of military readiness for the Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. Spanning over 233 square miles, this military base has been home to thousands of retired and active service men and women, civilian employees, and their families, making the water contamination issue all the more significant.
Camp Lejeune and the Water Contamination Lawsuits
The Camp Lejeune lawsuits revolve around the devastating health issues and diseases that individuals have suffered due to water contamination at the camp. These are not just minor ailments, but severe health conditions that have significantly impacted their lives.
These water contamination issues came to light in the 1980s when military officials regularly tested Camp Lejeune’s water supply. They discovered that two water-supply systems, Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point, were contaminated with chemicals. These systems primarily supplied water to family housing units at the camp.
Investigations into the water contamination linked the chemicals detected in Tarawa Terrace to an off-base dry cleaning business. Meanwhile, the contaminants in Hadnot Point were traced to numerous on-base sources, which include underground storage tanks, industrial spills, and waste disposal sites.
Contaminants Found in the Camp Lejeune Water
Based on the investigations and studies conducted by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), a branch within the CDC agency, has identified the following contaminants present in Camp Lejeune’s water sources:
- Vinyl Chloride
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Benzene
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
All of these contaminants were detected by the agency in Camp Lejeune water in high quantities. More so, each contaminant is considered toxic or could cause significant adverse effects to humans, especially in high amounts.
Diseases Linked To the Contaminants Found in Camp Lejeune
The ATSDR study was able to detect a causal link between one of the contaminants listed above and the development of the following diseases and health issues:
- Cardiac Defects
- Certain Cancers, which include, but are not limited to Breast Cancer, Bladder Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Lung Cancer, Kidney Cancer, Liver Cancer, Leukemia, Myeloma, and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Aplastic Anemia
- Female Infertility, including Miscarriage
- Hepatic Steatosis
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurobehavioral defects
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Renal Toxicity
- Scleroderma
- Fetal Death
- Oral Cleft Defect
Who Is Eligible to File A Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
It’s crucial to understand that individuals who were present or exposed to the water in Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between the dates August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and have suffered any diseases or health issues linked to the contaminants detected, have the right to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit against the United States government.
Also, a person’s exposure while still in utero may be eligible to file a claim against the United States government if they develop any disease or health issues linked to the contaminant.
Deadline On When Claimants Should File A Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CTJA) has set two statute limitations for claimants to file a lawsuit.
The statute of limitation is the jurisdiction’s time limit when claimants can file their lawsuits. A lawsuit filed by the claimant after the set statute of limitation has passed will likely be opposed by the other party, and the court will probably dismiss the case. These deadlines generally start from the incident date or when the claimant should have known the harm tied to the alleged action.
According to the CTJA, Camp Lejeune claimants must adhere to one of the following statute of limitations:
- Those who have already developed a disease or health condition linked to the contaminant must file their lawsuit within two years from the date CTJA went into effect.
- Those who lived, worked, or were exposed, including in utero, to water contaminants in Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, must file their lawsuit within two years from the date of their future diagnosis.
How Can a Claimant File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Against the United States Government?
The first step for a claimant is to file an administrative claim with the Department of Defense (DOD). Depending on the specifics of the filed claim, the government may offer to settle or pay the claim if they approve it.
However, if the DOD rejects the filed claim, a claimant has six months to file a formal Camp Lejeune lawsuit in the United States District Court (Eastern District of North Carolina). This process may seem daunting, and having a firm legal representative to help navigate the complex documents and requirements to file a valid and timely claim against the government is valuable.