The CDC estimates nearly one million service members and civilians stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987 were exposed to toxic chemicals in their drinking and bathing water. The deadly health risks associated with these chemicals were not identified until years later. Victims continue to suffer from various cancers and other severe health conditions or have died due to exposure.

If you worked or lived on Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987, you could be eligible to receive compensation, but the clock is already ticking. A new law passed in August 2022 allows people who suffered because of exposure to toxins in the water supply at Camp Lejeune to file a lawsuit against the government. Claimants have two years from when the law went into effect to file.

Call Fieger Law today if you or your family have been affected by these deadly toxins. We’ll help you navigate this complex process and get you the compensation you deserve.

What Happened at Camp Lejeune?

In 1982, it was discovered that two of the eight water treatment plants on base contained volatile organic compounds because of their proximity to toxic waste sites. The chemicals, including trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride, have been linked to serious health conditions, including cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and birth defects.

It was estimated that the water had been contaminated since at least 1953 and until the plants were shut down in 1985. In 2007, Congress mandated that all former residents of Camp Lejeune be notified of the exposure. Many service members and their families were still unaware of these chemicals’ potential impact on their health.

As a result, veterans stationed at Camp Lejeune could be eligible for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs or be compensated through the Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuit.

To find out if you are eligible, contact our law firm. We can also help you file a wrongful death lawsuit if a family member died as a result of the poisoned water.

Eligible Health Conditions

Veterans can receive disability benefits from the VA if they meet the above criteria and have the following conditions:

  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Bladder cancer
  • Adult leukemia
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes, such as aplastic anemia
  • Kidney cancer
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Liver cancer

Additionally, veterans and their families can apply for healthcare benefits, covering or compensating for future healthcare costs for conditions they developed from the contaminated water. You can apply for healthcare benefits if you received treatment for:

  • Cancers such as:
    • Leukemia
    • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
    • Bladder
    • Esophageal
    • Lung
    • Breast
    • Kidney
    • Multiple myeloma
  • Hepatic steatosis
  • Renal disease
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes, such as aplastic anemia
  • Neurological or neurobehavioral conditions
  • Scleroderma
  • Miscarriage or infertility in women

Can I File a Lawsuit if I Was Exposed?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, included in the 2022 PACT Act, permits former residents of Camp Lejeune to file a lawsuit with the Navy Tort Claims Unit. The Navy Judge Advocate General’s website provides instructions on filing a claim.

To file a claim, you must have:

  • Worked or lived on Camp Lejeune for between August 1953 and December 1987 for at least 30 days
  • Developed an illness due to exposure to toxic chemicals in the water
  • Your mother was pregnant with you while living at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987
  • You are a surviving family member of a veteran who meets the minimum requirements

Filing a lawsuit does not affect VA benefits, so you can continue to receive VA disability benefits if you are eligible.

If you plan to file a Camp Lejeune toxic water lawsuit, schedule a free consultation with Fieger Law. While no amount of money can make up for the harm you may have experienced due to the negligence of officials at Camp Lejeune, we can help you fight for justice.

Consult with Fieger Law Today to Learn Your Rights

Far too many people have been affected by Camp Lejeune’s toxic water. If you or a family member has a medical condition due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, an attorney at Fieger Law can help you recover your long-deserved compensation.

At Fieger Law, we are dedicated to helping all veterans and their families across the U.S. file with the Navy and maximize the compensation you receive. Contact us today to schedule a free case review.