Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, located in Jacksonville, North Carolina, was home to thousands of active troops, their family members, and civilian workers for many decades. Unfortunately, it was also the site of a significant source of water contamination. People living and working at the camp were exposed to harmful toxins that could cause the development of certain cancers, birth defects, or other dangerous health consequences.
If you lived at the camp and developed a severe illness, you might be eligible to seek financial compensation by filing a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. An experienced attorney from our firm could advise you about the next steps.
Who Qualifies to File a Camp Lejeune Legal Claim for Compensation?
Under the terms of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, anyone who lived, worked, or suffered exposure to the contaminated water through another method for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, could file a claim for damages. Potentially eligible claimants include military service personnel and veterans who served and lived at the camp, family members of service personnel who lived on the base, and civilian employees who lived or worked at the camp.
People in utero while their mother lived or worked at the base and drank the contaminated water could also be eligible. In addition, surviving family members of people who died after suffering exposure during the contaminated period could be eligible to file claims on behalf of their deceased loved ones. A seasoned attorney could help a potential claimant find evidence of their residency at Camp Lejeune during the specified water contamination period.
Potential Health Consequences of Camp Lejeune Contamination
In addition to living or working at the base during the contamination period, a potentially eligible claimant must also have developed an illness stemming from exposure to the water. Scientists believe there is a link between certain health conditions and exposure to contaminated water.
Former Camp Lejeune residents are at elevated risk of developing certain types of cancers, including:
- Bladder cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Bladder cancer
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
- Aplastic anemia
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate and rectal cancer
In addition to developing cancer, former camp residents might also have an increased risk of developing other health disorders, such as ALS, Parkinson’s disease, and kidney and liver diseases. Babies born from mothers at the camp might also develop serious congenital disabilities that could affect them throughout their lives.
This list of qualifying disorders might not include all the possible health consequences of the toxic water exposure. If a person lived at the camp and struggled with another severe health consequence, they might still be eligible to bring a claim. A Camp Lejeune resident should meet with an attorney to review their situation and discuss their legal options for filing a water contamination suit.
Talk to an Attorney About Filing a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit
If you or your loved one lived at Camp Lejeune during the specified period listed above, you might be eligible to receive free medical care for your medical condition from the Department of Veterans Affairs. You could also file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.
A skilled legal representative could meet with you to review the procedural steps and help you get the relief you deserve. You might be able to collect compensation to cover your lost wages, pain and suffering, and other expenses. Talk to our team today to learn more about your legal options.