The Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Exposion Lawsuit (CLJA) has been filed by thousands of military veterans who are claiming cancer and birth defects due to exposure to the toxic water. It also includes claims involving prenatal exposure and birth defects. The DoD has settled some of these cases in the past.
Cancer
If you have suffered from cancer or another disease after being exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. The lawyers at Douglas & London offer a free case evaluation to discuss the details of your case. If you have a case, you can receive compensation for your medical expenses, ongoing healthcare needs, and lost income.
Birth defects
In a 2012 study, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry found that pregnant women exposed to the drinking water at Camp Lejeune during their pregnancy were more likely to have certain birth defects than those who didn’t live at the base. They found that the water contained high levels of certain VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, which have been associated with birth defects. The chemicals found in the water included trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride.
Prenatal exposure to TCE
A study conducted by the ATSDR and the National Research Council found that contaminated water at Camp Lejeune increased the risks of birth defects for children born to mothers who were stationed there. Babies who were exposed to contaminated water were twice as likely to have cleft lip and palate, anencephaly, and neural tube defects. The researchers also found a clear link between preterm birth and fetal growth retardation, which have been linked to poor health and other adverse health outcomes later in life.
DoD settlements
The Department of Defense (DoD) settled the toxic water exposure lawsuit against Camp Lejeune in 2007. In 1989, Camp Lejeune was placed on the CERCLA National Priorities List. This meant that it had become a “Superfund” site. In that year, the U.S. Navy agreed to work with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to remediate the site.
Qualifying conditions
If you have been exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills. The contaminated water from the Camp Lejeune military base was contaminated with carcinogens during the 1950s and 1980s, causing numerous leukemia cases and other types of cancer in military personnel. Although many of those who were exposed to the contaminated water have sought compensation for their medical costs, many others have not yet received the compensation they deserve.
Filing a claim
Filing a claim for toxic water exposure in Camp Lejeune is possible for anyone who was exposed to contaminated water while serving in the military. To begin the process, you will need to file a formal complaint with the Office of Judge Advocate General, which is part of the Navy’s Tort Claims Unit. A form will be provided for you to fill out and will request basic information, such as your personal background, nature and extent of injury, and how much money you are seeking in compensation.
