The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of the people of North Carolina. The lawsuit alleges that the water supply for Camp Lejeune was contaminated with TCE, a toxic chemical that was used as a degreaser on the base. The water supply was contaminated between 1957 and 1986, when the base was shut down. The military has been accused of not being forthcoming with the public about the water contamination, which has allowed the military to avoid paying for the damages caused by this contamination.
If you or a loved one were affected by the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit, it is important to seek the counsel of an experienced attorney. You can visit rosenfeldinjurylawyers.com for additional information.
What Is The Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?
The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit alleges that the military was aware of the contamination as early as the 1950s. By 1979, the military had conducted tests that found that the water supply had TCE in it. The military continued to use this water supply until 1986, when it became apparent that it was contaminated with TCE.
The lawsuit claims that the military did not inform the public about the water contamination until they had to release it to the public under a Freedom of Information Act request in 1993. This led to a class action lawsuit and has led to multiple settlements between the military and victims who were affected by the water contamination. The class action lawsuit is still ongoing, and there is currently a deadline of June 11, 2020, for anyone who wants to file a claim against the government for damages caused by the water contamination.
Eligibility Criteria
Before you move forward in your lawsuit, you must first determine if you are eligible to participate. If you meet these eligibility criteria, you should reach out to a lawyer who specializes in these types of lawsuits.
A Former Or Current Resident Of Camp Lejeune Between 1957 And 1986
If you were a former or current resident of Camp Lejeune between the years of 1957 and 1987, you may be eligible to receive medical care and financial compensation related to the Camp Lejeune water contamination. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry have identified that drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with toxic chemicals from 1957 to 1987, which may have caused health issues for those exposed. If you are a veteran who served at Camp Lejeune during this time period, you may qualify for disability benefits, health care, and other services. Additionally, if you were a dependent of a veteran who lived in family housing on the base during this time period, you may also be eligible to file a lawsuit or receive medical care and financial compensation.
Experienced A Host Of Illnesses From Contaminated Water
Those who were exposed to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune between January 1, 1957 and December 31, 1987 are eligible for medical benefits if they are experiencing any of the 15 illnesses identified by the Department of Veterans Affairs as having a high probability of being related to the contaminated water. Those illnesses include various cancers, infertility, and other diseases. The VA also states that survivors of those who were exposed to the contaminated water may also be eligible for benefits if they are currently experiencing any of these illnesses.
If you have been diagnosed or are currently being treated for the following, you may be eligible for benefits from the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit:
- Cancer
- Infertility
- Kidney Disease
- Liver Disease
- PTSD
- Thyroid Cancer
- Other Serious Medical Conditions
If you are not currently experiencing any of the following, but you believe that you may have been exposed to the water at Camp Lejeune and are currently experiencing one of the listed illnesses, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit.
Exposed To The Contaminated Water Supply
Residents of Camp Lejeune were exposed to the contaminated water supply in multiple ways. Residents who drank the water directly or used it for cooking, cleaning or bathing were exposed to the toxins through ingestion and absorption. Residents living in family housing on the base may have been exposed to the toxins in the air, as the toxins evaporated out of the contaminated water supply and were released into the air. Residents also may have been exposed to the toxins through contact with the soil, as the toxins may have seeped into the soil and been absorbed through the skin. Additionally, workers at the base may have been exposed to the toxins through inhalation, as the toxins were released into the air through the manufacturing, storage, or use of the contaminants. Finally, residents may have been exposed to the toxins through food grown in gardens that were irrigated with contaminated water.
Medical Records That Prove You Were Diagnosed Or Treated Within A Year Of Exposure
If you are not currently experiencing any of the listed illnesses, but you believe that you may have been exposed to the water at Camp Lejeune and are currently experiencing one of the listed illnesses, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit. In order to qualify for benefits, you must provide proof that you were diagnosed or treated within one year of exposure. This proof can take many different forms, including medical records, letters from your doctor, military records, or other evidence that shows that you were exposed to the tainted water and have since developed an illness as a result.
The Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit is available to those who were exposed to the toxic water at the base. If you are currently experiencing one of the 15 illnesses identified by the Department of Veterans Affairs as being related to contaminated water, you may be eligible for benefits. Additionally, if you were a dependent of a veteran who lived in family housing on the base during this time period, you may also be eligible to file a lawsuit or receive medical care and financial compensation. Experienced legal representation is essential for filing a claim, so don’t hesitate to reach out to an attorney.