For 35 years—between 1953 and 1987—nearly one million military service members, civilian workers, and their families lived on base, unknowingly drinking and bathing in water that was contaminated with toxins. Oil, petrol, industrial wastewater, and toxic chemicals (such as degreasers and solvents) were knowingly dumped into local storm drains by the U.S. government. Buried fuel tanks leaked into the drinking water supply. Chemicals flowed to the facility from an off-base dry-cleaning company, along with industrial solvents used nearby to clean military equipment.
In the 1970s, the Environmental Protection Agency labeled the base as a “major polluter,” as the water was found to be laced with chemicals at levels that were
240 to 3400 times more than safety standards allow. Despite a 1974 base order requiring safe disposal of solvents, these chemicals were dumped and buried near base wells for years. Even after water contamination was identified in
1980, the pollution still continued. Government officials covered up this illegal dumping for years, and
skirted attempts to reveal the truth.
Experts note that the drinking water tested at a Camp Lejeune well was some of the
most highly contaminated ever seen in the U.S. An
assessment by the US Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) found the levels of certain chemicals in the tainted water were high enough to increase the risks of cancer and other serious illnesses, including young children and pregnant women.
Many servicemembers and family members that were exposed to the contamination on Camp Lejeune have developed certain cancers and serious conditions, and deserve justice for their injuries. Grant & Eisenhofer P.A. is a firm of dedicated, compassionate attorneys willing to fight for your rights and recover the financial compensation you deserve. Contact us today if you believe you have a valid claim. Your consultation is free, and you will only pay fees if we recover financial compensation on your behalf.
Which Chemicals Contaminated the Water?
Along with many other toxic substances, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected in Camp Lejeune’s drinking water, including:
Many VOCs are known to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing) chemicals, and exposure to them may cause harmful conditions, including birth defects and miscarriages.
Types of Injuries from Water Contamination
The water contamination at Camp Lejeune has been linked to many different serious, sometimes terminal, injuries. Compensation from a Camp Lejeune injury lawsuit may be able to offset some out-of-pocket medical costs or lost wages associated with these conditions:
Who Is Eligible to File a Camp Lejeune Injury Lawsuit?
Within the Honoring our PACT Act of 2021, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 provides a cause of action against the U.S. government. Anyone who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 for at least 30 days, was exposed to contaminated water, and harmed by such exposure may take legal action. This includes veterans, civilians and families—even those who, at the time, were exposed to the tainted water in the womb.
The Act provides for a two-year statute of limitations—or amount of time an individual has to file a claim to potentially recover funds for injuries from exposure to contaminated water.
What Should I Do if I Think I am Eligible to File a Camp Lejeune Injury Lawsuit?
If you lived or worked at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987 and believe your cancer or other serious injury was caused by water contamination, call us today.
Grant & Eisenhofer P.A. attorneys can evaluate your potential claim with you during a completely free consultation. Call us at
(888) 984-7988 or fill out
our contact form to speak with an attorney about your potential case.
