The water supply contamination at Camp Lejeune—a Marine Corps base in Jacksonville, North Carolina—has resulted in devastating health consequences for many people living and working there. From 1953 to 1987, numerous dangerous chemicals discovered in the water supply have caused debilitating or deadly illnesses.
If you lived on or around Camp Lejeune during this period, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your suffering. Allow a dedicated mass tort attorney to assist you with pursuing the compensation you deserve. To speak with a compassionate Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer, do not hesitate to reach out today.
Understanding Contamination at Camp Lejeune
The toxic contamination at Camp Lejeune was not caused by a single harmful substance, but rather by multiple hazardous chemicals traced back to several water treatment plants. Each of these chemicals is believed or has been confirmed to be carcinogenic, which means they are likely cancer-causing. Some of these substances identified in the water at Camp Lejeune include:
- Benzene
- Vinyl chloride (VC)
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Tetrachloroethylene
The contaminated water served numerous buildings across the base. This includes the barracks, family housing, and nearly all other facilities within the camp. It is possible that as many as one million individuals were exposed to these harmful chemicals over this 20+ year period. While the heavily contaminated plants and wells were shuttered in 1985, the consequences of this contamination still remain today. Anyone who suspects that the water contamination at Camp Lejeune caused them serious harm should contact a lawyer as soon as possible to go over their legal options.
Illnesses Associated with Camp Lejeune
Many illnesses have been linked to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune. These ailments vary in nature and severity, but several can be fatal.
Many of the health consequences of this toxic exposure are related to various kinds of cancer. Some cancers linked to Camp Lejeune include adult leukemia, bladder cancer, breast cancer, and lung cancer. The contamination of Camp Lejeune has also been tied to Parkinson’s disease.
These harmful chemicals are significantly affecting multiple generations, as congenital disabilities are also a potential side effect of contamination exposure. A committed attorney can help families pursue the compensation they deserve for an illness or defect caused by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
Who Can File a Lawsuit?
Many Camp Lejeune water contamination victims were military veterans stationed at the base. These individuals were exposed to the harmful toxins in the water on a daily basis, and in some cases, for years at a time. Each of these veterans exposed to these carcinogenic chemicals may be eligible to pursue legal action for their unjust suffering.
The ability to pursue a civil case is not exclusive to veterans, however. Family members who lived on the base may also have a viable claim. Furthermore, civilians who worked on the base or lived nearby may have also been exposed. The guidance of an attorney could prove vital to those who live or have lived near Camp Lejeune and are suffering from the symptoms of water contamination.
Speak With a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Attorney Today
The impacts of the Camp Lejeune water contamination are beyond devastating. If you or a close family member believe your health issues are a result of exposure to these toxins, you may be entitled to damages regardless of how long ago you were exposed. While financial compensation cannot make up for your suffering, it can help you take care of yourself and the costs related to your illnesses.
Pursuing legal action for your harm may seem overwhelming, but a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer is here to help. Your case deserves the utmost attention and aggressive representation, which Showard Law Firm is committed to provide. Your initial consultation is free, and cases are handled on a contingency-fee-basis, so do not hesitate to reach out.