Who Qualifies for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

Who qualifies for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit? This question has become increasingly important as more people seek justice and compensation for illnesses linked to water contamination at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. In this blog post, we'll explore the history of Camp Lejeune's water contamination and what qualifies a person for a Camp Lejeune claim.

By examining key events during the contamination period and subsequent discoveries made about contaminated wells on base, we'll provide a clear timeline of events leading up to today's legal landscape. You'll learn about qualifying illnesses associated with exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and understand Veterans' rights, as well as the rights of Veterans' families and folks who were civilians working at Camp Lejeune during the relevant time period. 

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Timeline

The water contamination at Camp Lejeune, a military base in North Carolina, occurred between August 1953 and December 1987. Thousands of people were potentially affected by this environmental disaster that caused cancer and other medical problems due to exposure to toxic chemicals found in the drinking water supply.

Key Events During the Contamination Period

The seeping of industrial solvents such as TCE, PCE, benzene and vinyl chloride into the groundwater from leaking underground storage tanks, waste disposal sites and spills occurred over a period of years. The contaminated wells on base continued supplying water for daily use without proper treatment or monitoring until they were finally shut down in 1984-85 when high levels of contaminants were discovered.

Discovery of Contaminated Wells on the Base

In 1980, an off-base laboratory tested samples from two drinking water systems at Camp Lejeune - Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace - revealing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). However, it wasn't until February 1985, when more comprehensive testing confirmed widespread contamination across multiple wells on both systems. This led to shutting down some of them immediately while others remained operational until late 1987 before being closed permanently.

The extent of this tragedy began unfolding slowly over time with increasing numbers of former residents reporting illnesses believed to be linked with their exposure to toxic compounds at Camp Lejeune. In response to growing concerns about health risks associated with toxic chemical exposure among service members who lived or worked there during the contamination period, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conducted multiple studies to investigate these claims.

In 2012, President Barack Obama signed the Janey Ensminger Act into law, providing healthcare benefits to veterans who served at Camp Lejeune during this time frame and their family members suffering from specific illnesses related to contaminated water exposure. The ATSDR later released a report in 2014 that confirmed increased risks of developing certain cancers and other health conditions among those exposed to toxic chemicals at Camp Lejeune.

Despite efforts made by various agencies over the years to address this issue, thousands of affected individuals continue seeking justice through legal action against responsible parties for damages incurred due to negligence or failure in maintaining safe living conditions on base. With recent legislative changes  like the PACT Act, which includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 at Section 804, opening new avenues for victims' compensation claims, it's helpful if folks receive proper guidance in pursuing a claim.

Who Qualifies for Filing a Claim for Injuries or Death Resulting from Exposure to Contaminants at Camp Lejeune?

Under the Honoring our PACT Act, anyone who was exposed to the contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune from August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987 for at least 30 days may be eligible to file a claim for damages. This includes Service Members who served at Camp Lejeune, as well as their families.

Notably, family members can file a claim for damages they suffered, as well as for the death of their loved ones who died after being exposed to the contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune. This also includes folks who were working at Camp Lejeune or those who lived on base during the relevant time period.

Presumed Conditions Linked to Contaminants in the Water at Camp Lejeune

Camp Lejeune claims may be brought for certain illnesses and conditions that have been linked to the contaminants founds in the water at Camp Lejeune by those folks who were exposed to the contaminants for 30 days or more. Below is a list of those conditions that the VA has deemed "presumed conditions," or conditions that evidence has linked to exposure to the chemicals and contaminants found in the water at Camp Lejeune.

• Adult Leukemia
• Aplastic Anemia & Other Myelodysplastic Syndromes
• Bladder Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Multiple Myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Parkinson’s Disease

As you will see below, there are many other health effects, conditions, and illnesses that have some connection to exposure to the contaminants found in the water at Camp Lejeune besides those "presumed conditions" listed above.

What Conditions Have the ATSDR Studies Linked to the Contaminants Found in the Water at Camp Lejeune?

The ATSDR studies linked a number of conditions, diseases, and illnesses to the contaminants found in the water at Camp Lejeune. The conditions are outlined in greater detail below below the contaminants found in the water at Camp Lejeune.

Conditions with Sufficient Evidence for Causation

The following elucidates the health implications that have been verified to be caused by exposure, either through work or environmental factors, to chemicals discovered in Camp Lejeune's drinking water. The claim of causality is justified if one of the two conditions is met: 1) There is adequate proof from human studies where probability and biases (including confounding factors) can be confidently dismissed, or 2) There's less than adequate evidence from human studies, yet compelling evidence from animal studies combined with robust proof that the chemical triggers a pertinent mechanism in humans.

Trichloroethylene (TCE)

• Kidney Cancer
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
• Cardiac Defects

Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)

• Bladder Cancer

Benzene

• Leukemias
• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Vinyl Chloride

• Liver Cancer

Equipoise and Above Causation

Below, you'll find a summary of health outcomes where existing data supports the likelihood of a cause-effect connection, but not to the extent that it can be confirmed by the ATSDR - a concept referred to as "equipoise and above." This applies to individuals who have come into contact with the chemicals found in Camp Lejeune's drinking water, either through their occupation or their environment. To simplify, "equipoise and above" means we have adequate studies suggesting a connection between the health impact and the exposure. However, currently, there is a lack sufficient evidence to categorically state that the exposure is the cause of these health impacts. Thus, further studies are required to conclusively establish that these health effects result from the exposure.

Trichloroethylene (TCE)

• Leukemia
• Liver Cancer
• Multiple Myeloma
• End-Stage Renal Disease
• Parkinson Disease
• Scleroderma

Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)

• Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
• End-Stage Renal Disease

Benzene

• Multiple Myeloma

Some Connection / Positive Correlation

Further, ATSDR has outlined other health issues that have been associated with TCE, PCE, benzene, and/or vinyl chloride among groups that aren't part of Camp Lejeune, but who have interacted with or consumed water tainted with these substances. These connections are drawn from research showing a positive correlation between exposure to these chemicals and the onset of health problems.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) and/or Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)

• Chonal Atresia (Nasal Passages Blocked With Bone or Tissue)
• Eye Defects
• Low Birth Weight
• Fetal Death
• Major Malformations
• Miscarriage
• Neural Tube Defects
• Oral Cleft Defects (Including Cleft Lip)
• Small for Gestational Age
• Breast Cancer
• Cervical Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Hodgkins Disease
• Ovarian Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Rectal Cancer
• Impaired Immune System Function
• Neurological Effects (Delayed Reaction Times Problems With Short-Term Memory, Visual Perception, Attention, & Color Vision)
• Neurobehavioral Performance Deficits (i.e., Delayed Recall & Deficits In Visual Perception), Decreased Blink Reflex, & Mood Effects (i.e., Confusion, Depression & Tension)
• Severe, Generalized Hypersensitivity Skin Disorder (Autoimmune-Related Disease)

Benzene

• Aplastic Anemia
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes
• Miscarriage

 Vinyl Chloride

• Brain Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Soft Tissue Cancer
• Liver Cirrhosis

FAQs in Relation to Who Qualifies for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

Q1: Who Qualifies for the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?

A1: Individuals who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, including veterans, civilian employees, and family members, may be eligible for compensation if they developed one of the presumptive conditions linked to toxic chemical exposure.

Q2: How Much Compensation Can You Receive for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlement?

A2: The amount of compensation varies depending on the severity of the illness and extent of damages. There is no specific average figure available, but settlements can range from thousands to millions of dollars. It's essential to consult with a lawyer for case-specific guidance.

Q3: What Are the Presumptive Conditions for Camp Lejeune?

A3: The Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes several presumptive conditions, including adult leukemia, aplastic anemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, and others. These illnesses are presumed to be connected with exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

Q4: Who Benefits from the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

A4: Camp Lejeune victims, including Veterans, their families, and civilian employees who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune benefit from lawsuits related to this issue. Successful claims based on contaminated Camp Lejeune water should result in financial compensation that helps cover victims' medical expenses and other damages caused by the toxic exposure.

Q5: What Are the Camp Lejeune Settlement Amounts?

A5: The Camp Lejeune settlement amounts and Camp Lejeune settlements can only be estimated until claims are actually settled. Claims involving conditions that have a stronger link to the contaminants; claims involving more serious conditions; and claims involving a longer time of exposure will likely warrant higher settlement amounts than claims involving conditions weakly linked or not linked to the contaminants; claims involving less serious conditions; and claims involving a shorter period of exposure.

Contact Us for Your FREE Legal Consultation with a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Attorney

At our law firm, lawyers do the consultations, not intake specialists or customer service representatives. Also, our legal consultations for all cases, including the Camp Lejeune lawsuits, are free. All you have to do is contact us on our website or call us at (321) 352-7588 to schedule your free consultation with a Camp Lejeune water contamination attorney.

Once you schedule your consultation, a lawyer from our office will call you at the number you provide and at the time you select. We look forward to talking with you and helping you with your claim.