Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyers

Attention Military Members, Spouses, Children, and Family Members who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987 for at least thirty days. Toxic chemicals contaminated the Camp’s water supply, linked to severe health conditions and various forms of cancer.

If you are concerned about your health and feel you may qualify for compensation due to being exposed to tainted water at Camp Lejeune, contact the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm as soon as possible.

The case criteria are that the person must have been at Camp Lejeune for 30 consecutive days between Aug 1, 1953 and Dec 31, 1987 (if a civilian then they will need to be able to prove/support their time living on base), and suffered from one of the conditions (these are Tier 1 & Tier 2 Diagnoses):

• Bladder Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Kidney Disease (stage 4 or 5) or End Stage Renal Disease
• Lung Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Leukemias
• Multiple Myeloma
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Systemic Sclerosis or Systemic Scleroderma

The Marine base provided eight water treatment plants to the facility. It wasn’t until 1985 that the Marine Corps learned that two of the eight plants provided water containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are found in:

• Aerosol sprays
• Air fresheners
• Building materials
• Cleansers
• Cleaning supplies
• Craft materials, e.g., Adhesives, permanent markers, glues, photographic solutions
• Disinfectants
• Dry-cleaned clothing
• Hydraulic fluids
• Office equipment, e.g., Correction fluids, copiers, carbonless paper, printers
• Paint
• Pesticides
• Refrigerants
• Solvents
• Stored fuels/automotive products

Although the two plants were shut down in 1985, nearly one million military members, staff, their families, and civilian contractors had already been exposed to VOCs for years. Victims may have been exposed through drinking water or doing daily activities such as brushing their teeth or taking a shower.

Types of VOCS Present in Camp Lejeune Water

Contaminated water in the well at Camp Lejeune contained four VOCs:

• Benzene
• Tetrachloroethylene, AKA perchloroethylene (PERC)
• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Vinyl chloride

There are numerous medical issues linked to Camp Lejeune contaminated water, including:

• Aplastic anemia
• Birth defects
• Cardiac defects
• Blood, brain, and breast cancers
• Esophageal cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Leukemia
• Central nervous system disorders
• Infertility/Miscarriages
• Multiple myeloma
• Neurobehavioral disorders
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Parkinson disease
• Renal toxicity
• Scleroderma
• Spina bifida

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was signed into law on August 10, 2022. It offers access to veterans exposed to toxins in varied service settings. It also provides access to another avenue to seek compensation for being harmed due to exposure to toxic water.

The new law (the PACT bill) allows victims who lived or worked from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, to pursue a lawsuit and recover compensation. The contaminated water wells affected many families, so it is vital to seek help immediately. This option is only available to those exposed to the toxic water for at least thirty days.   

Chemicals Present in the Tarawa Terrace Treatment Plant

The primary contaminant in this treatment plant was Tetrachloroethylene. The most contaminated wells were capped in February 1985. For further information on VOC levels, go HERE.

Chemicals Present in the Hadnot Point Treatment Plant

The primary contaminant in this treatment plant was TCE. It was discovered in May 1982. Other pollutants included benzene, vinyl chloride, DCE, and PCE. Multiple sources of contamination were found in waste disposal sites and leaky underground storage tanks. The most contaminated wells were capped in 1985. This specific plant brought drinking water to the central portion of the base, including the workplaces and barracks.

The effects of exposure to VOCs vary depending on exposure, such as during infancy or pregnancy. It also depends on how much and how long you were exposed. Not everyone exposed to TCE, PCE, Benzene, or Vinyl chloride develops health issues.

If you wish further information on the health effects of VOCs, visit HERE.

If you wish for further information on the diseases and findings from toxin studies, click HERE.

Contact the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm for Further Information

At the Todd J. Leonard Law Firm, we have counseled and represented many plaintiffs in personal injury claims for over 35 years and have significant experience obtaining maximum financial compensation. Our firm can help you recover the compensation you need to get your life back on track after suffering a serious injury at work. 

Even though Armed Services members are government employees, they are not eligible for workers’ compensation after service-related injuries and illnesses because they have access to VA disability compensation. 
Contact us for a free, confidential consultation today at (973) 920-7900. There is no risk in calling because we never charge a fee unless we help you recover compensation for your injuries.