When you enlist in any military branch, you assume a particular risk, which you believe is on the field. You do not think that you are at risk on base when you drink water. The water in Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 was contaminated with chemicals that led to severe health conditions. These injuries are life-altering and affect not only the soldiers on base but their families. During the period where the water was contaminated, there were a reported one million people on base. It was not just service members on base but also their families, non-military staff, and more.
Service members are in enough danger as is; they do not need to fear drinking water will result in ALS, cancer, or congenital disabilities. After these findings, the government took legal measures. Service members and others affected by the contaminated water from 1953 to 1987 have the option to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit and obtain compensation for their losses. You will need the help of a Philadelphia Camp Lejeune water contamination attorney.
What is in the water?
Investigations into the water at Camp Lejeune found there to be volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The water was on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune for three decades, and the incident is said to be the worst case of water contamination in U.S. history. Some of the VOCs the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease (ATSDR) found include:
- Degreasers
- Dry cleaning solvents
- Over 70 toxic chemicals
The contaminated water affected other areas, including the housing, buildings, and the Marine Corps Air Station. At the time, eight water treatment plants provided water to Camp Lejeune. Two of the facilities, Hadnot Point Treatment Plant and Tarawa Terrace Treatment Plant, were producing and sending toxic water to Camp Lejeune resulting in at least a million people drinking the water. There was no escaping this toxic water.
What are the possible health conditions?
Aside from ALS and congenital disabilities, there are many other health conditions that Camp Lejeune residents can suffer from, including:
- Adult leukemia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Renal toxicity
- Miscarriage
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Birth injury
- Multiple Myeloma
- Stomach cancer
- Esophageal cancer
There is a myriad of other conditions that veterans and their families suffer from due to the water contamination from Camp Lejeune. The Veterans Administration provides disability benefits for those on the base during this time. However, that does not change that there were negligent parties are not being held responsible. Various legislative efforts are being made to remedy the gross negligence in these contamination cases.
Compensation is available
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 aims to provide a path to file a legal claim against the U.S. government. Service members, their families, and workers who lived on base for at least 30 days are eligible to file a lawsuit. Since it is a federal option, it overrides any state legislation. Victims will be able to file a mass tort or personal injury claim. The act also allows parties not born but exposed to seek compensation. Since there will be many cases, they will all be consolidated under one federal judge and multidistrict litigation.
Contact a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination attorney
The process to get justice will be long, but it is overdue for victims of this gross violation. Service members, their families, and others on these bases are vital to keeping the country safe and secure. They should not have to suffer for the rest of their lives for drinking water, taking showers, and more. While federal efforts are available to remedy the situation, it can take time to resolve. While there is an acknowledgment of wrongdoing, that does not mean compensation will come easy. You will need a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer in Philadelphia to build a case and represent your best interests. Contact Kwartler Manus, LLC at (267) 457-5570 to schedule a consultation if you were at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 to review your options.