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Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits
According to data measuring toxicity and carcinogenic chemicals in water, Camp Lejeune is among the worst offenders in history when it comes to contamination of a public water system in America. Evidence shows that the military was aware of the water contamination at Camp Lejeune for years, but chose to ignore the problem. They then attempted to actively conceal the issue.
Marines, families, and civilians who served, lived, and worked at Camp Lejeune drank and bathed in water contaminated with more than 70 chemicals and toxins at levels that were up to 3,400 times permitted by federal safety standards.
Among the most dangerous compounds were:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE): A solvent used to clean metal parts
- Perchloroethylene (PCE): A chemical used in dry cleaning and metal degreasing
- Benzene: Used to make plastics, resins, nylon, and synthetic fibers
- Vinyl Chloride (VC): A chemical that results from TCE and PCE degrading in groundwater
Exposure to these chemicals is known to cause cancer, birth defects, nervous system disorders, and other serious conditions.
What Illnesses Were Caused by Toxic Water at Camp Lejeune?
The toxic chemicals present in the water supply at Marine Base Camp Lejeune can causes a multitude of illnesses, diseases, disorders, and defects.
Among those commonly reported by victims who served, lived, or worked at the base include:
- Bladder Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Multiple Myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Infertility
- Birth Defects
- Birth Injuries
- Brain Injuries
- Cardiac Defect
- Fatty Liver Disease
- Miscarriage
- Neurobehavior Effects
- Plastic anemia
- Renal Toxicity
- Scleroderma
- Hepatic Steatosis
- Lou Gerhig’s Disease (ALS)
- Parkinson’s Disease
Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Timeline
- 1942: Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is established in North Carolina.
- 1951: Camp Lejeune builds the Tarawa Terrace well field for water supply.
- 1953: One Hour Dry Cleaner begins operation across from the well field. Ultimately, the dry cleaner allowed excessive toxic chemicals to contaminate the water supply at Camp Lejeune, including drinking water.
- 1979: 20,000 to 30,000 gallons of oil from the Hadnot Point Fuel Farm leaks into the ground.
- 1984: An outside contractor determines TCE, PCE, and benzene are present at the Hadnot Point Water Well.
- 1985: Contaminated Hadnot Point well fully shutdown
- 1989: EPA identifies Camp Lejeune and ABC One Hour Cleaners as Superfund sites.
- 1990: CDC identifies PCP as the greatest cause of injury, death, and birth defects from Camp Lejeune.
- 2008: President George W. Bush signs a bill requiring the navy to investigate injuries and deaths from contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.
- 2016: More than 800 lawsuits are filed over toxic water at Camp Lejeune under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Claims are consolidated into an MDL but are dismissed on North Carolina’s 10-year statute of repose.
- 2018: After multiple appeals, legal options are exhausted and thousands of victims are left without recourse.
- March 22, 2021: The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 is introduced as a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill is sent to committee, but it does not advance.
- January 25, 2022: A new bill, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, is introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
- February 28, 2022: The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is combined into a larger bill called the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2021.
- March 3, 2022: House passes the Honoring Our PACT Act by a vote of 256 to 174. Bill is sent to the Senate.
- June 16, 2022: United States Senate passes the Honoring Our PACT Act
- June 23, 2022: Passage of PACT Act on hold as lawmakers work out blue-slip objection.
- July 28, 2022: United States Senate rejects a cloture motion to fast-track the PACT Act.
- August 2, 2022: United States Senate passes the Honoring Our PACT Act with blue-slip revision.
- August 10, 2022: President Biden signs PACT Act into law.
Suffering Illness or Injury from Contaminated Water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune?
If you or a loved one served, lived, or worked on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation. President Biden recently signed a law to allow Marines, families, and civilians who served, lived, or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 to recover compensation for injuries and illnesses.
Simply fill out a contact form or call our law firm to start your claim and receive a Free Case Consultation. Our attorneys are available 24/7, nights and weekends to evaluate your Camp Lejeune claim.
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If you or a loved one suffered illness or injury from contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, speak with one of our mass tort lawyers today and receive your free case review.
