Finally – Justice for Camp Lejeune Veterans and Their Families
On August 3, 2022, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021, which honors the PACT Act, made its way to the President’s desk for final approval to become a law. This long-overdue bill will provide relief to the thousands of victims who drank and were exposed to toxic water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Over the course of four decades, from 1953 through 1987, more than one million U.S. Marines and their families were supplied with contaminated drinking water at the Camp Lejeune military base in North Carolina. One fourth of this water supply, which was also utilized by schools, hospitals, sailors, and civilian workers, was contaminated with toxic chemicals, including benzene and methylene chloride. These harsh chemicals are known to cause cancer, liver disease, miscarriages, and birth defects.
Due to the waste disposal practices of an off-base dry cleaning company, the water at the Tarawa Terrace treatment plant was contaminated with a toxic, colorless liquid, perchloroethylene (PCE), which is primarily used in the dry cleaning process. The water processed through the Hadnot Point Treatment Plant was contaminated with trichloroethylene (TCE), a volatile anesthetic. Industrial spills, leaky underground storage tanks, and groundwater disposal sites are believed to have been the sources of this contamination.
These chemicals were already known to have been linked to serious, life-threatening illnesses. Nevertheless, senior military leaders knew of the toxic exposures, and instead of protecting our military members, their families, as well as civilian personnel, they concealed all knowledge of the situation and proceeded with business as usual.
Resulting Illnesses from Contamination
So far, there have been more than 15 medical conditions identified as illness resulting from the toxic-laden drinking water consumed by thousands of innocent Marines, their children, and their families. These individuals suffered extraordinary injury, pain and suffering, from illness and disability to loss of life. The illness and injuries thus far include:
- Birth defects
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility
- Hepatic steatosis
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act enables victims to seek damages by filing a claim against the United States Marine Corps. If you, or someone you care about, was living or working at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, and that individual developed a serious illness or died as the result of a related illness, you or your loved one may be entitled to compensation Call our experienced personal injury attorneys at Van Wey, Metzler & Williams to discuss your options.
Dedicated Personal Injury Attorneys
The lawyers from our law firm are dedicated to the welfare and rights of our clients. Hence, we limit the number of cases we accept in order to give each individual case the dedication and attention it deserves.
The water contamination case at Camp Lejeune is based on a vile lack of appropriate action to protect those who have sacrificed for, and selflessly served our country. The number of innocent children and families affected is an atrocity, and while the damage can never be undone, each victim deserves compensation.
At Van Wey, Metzler & WIlliams, we are passionate about the Camp Lejeune litigation, and we will fight for your rights every step of the way – and to get you the maximum financial compensation available. Call or reach out to us online to book your free case evaluation without delay.