Congress has passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and has moved to President Biden’s desk. He has already signaled that he will sign it, which will open litigation to the thousands of service members and their families who were exposed to unsafe drinking water at United States Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
If you or a family member served, worked, or lived at Camp Lejeune for 30 days total, not consecutive, between the years of 1952 and 1987, and later were diagnosed with a serious illness, then the Camp Lejeune Justice Act would allow you to seek legal action against the federal government. As a result, you could demand compensation for your related financial losses, pain, and suffering.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is significant for two reasons:
- It disallows the federal government from using key defenses typically utilized in such litigation.
- It revives claims that would normally be barred by the usual 6-month statute of limitations.
It is important to be informed and prepared should the legislation be signed. If it is, potentially thousands of claims will all be filed in one court, which will make for a legally complicated situation. By working ahead with an attorney, you can make sure you are ready to take advantage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act the moment that President Biden signs it.
How Camp Lejeune’s Water Became Contaminated
For decades, the potable water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but the people serving and living there never knew. Fuel leakage, improper waste disposal, and commercial dumping all contributed to the contamination of the water supply. Through soil vapor intrusion, drinking water contamination, and even steam evaporation, countless people were exposed directly to the unsafe water.
The extent and duration of the water contamination at Camp Lejeune have led to a variety of injuries and damages. To make matters worse, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) was aware of the contamination for several years before making the information public, which endangered thousands more service members and their families. Some of the worst diseases and health complications caused by this exposure are cancer, leukemia, myeloma, and fertility issues, such as a higher risk of miscarriages and birth defects in newborns. (A full list of potential health issues suffered by people who stayed at Camp Lejeune is included at the end of this blog entry.)
Call Kershaw Talley Barlow Today to Learn More
If you or a family member were affected by the negligence that took place at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation and justice for life-altering damages. You could have a claim if you served, worked, or lived at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days (not consecutive) between 1952 and 1987.
At Kershaw Talley Barlow, we know that the men and women that dedicated their lives to serving this country deserve better. We are here to proudly offer our legal services and representation to anyone who has been affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. We will also update our blog often with more important information about how to navigate Camp Lejeune mass torts and other important specifics of this developing story. Be sure to visit our blog frequently to learn more.
If you think you have a Camp Lejeune water contamination case, please call (916) 520-6639 or contact us onlinenow. Getting started now, even before the Camp Lejeune Justice Act officially passes, can give you an important head start.
Health Conditions Caused by Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water
- Presumptive conditions:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Fertility issues
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Non-presumptive conditions:
- 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
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma