Veterans and their family members may be eligible to file lawsuits for cancer and other health problems linked to toxic water contamination at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
Need a Camp Lejeune Lawyer? Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged. If you or a loved one was diagnosed with cancer or other health problems after being exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune, you should contact our lawyers immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a lawsuit.
Camp Lejeune Justice Act Passes U.S. Senate
In June 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (H.R. 2192). The bill gives veterans and their family members a 2-year time-frame to file lawsuits for cancer and other health problems that have been linked to toxic water contamination at Camp Lejeune between 1952 and 1987.
Do I Qualify to File a Lawsuit?
You may qualify to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit if you are a:
- Veteran, Reservist, National Guardsman (“VRG”) or legal representative
- Spouse of a VRG
- Ex-spouse of a VRG (certain conditions apply)
- Biological child of a VRG (alive at the time)
- Biological child of a VRG (in utero at the time)
- Stepchild of a VRG
- Legal dependent of a VRG (living with him/her at the time)
- Civilian contractor (who worked on base at the time)
Furthermore, you must have lived or worked on base at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 consecutive days during the period beginning August 1, 1953, and ending December 31, 1987.
You must have been exposed to the water at Camp Lejeune that was supplied by the United States or on its behalf — for example, by drinking the water, bathing, showering, dishwashing, cleaning, etc.
Diseases Linked to Toxic Water at Camp Lejeune
In order to file a lawsuit, you or your family member must have been diagnosed with one of the following diseases* after living or working at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 consecutive days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987:
- Adult Leukemia*
- Aplastic Anemia*
- Bladder Cancer*
- Breast Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Female Infertility
- Hepatic Steatosis
- Kidney Cancer*
- Liver Cancer*
- Lung Cancer
- Miscarriage
- Multiple Myeloma*
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome*
- Neurobehavioral Effects
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma*
- Parkinson’s Disease*
- Renal Toxicity
- Scleroderma
- The star ( * ) means that strong scientific evidence exists for these conditions. The other conditions are currently qualified by the VA for medical benefits (but not disability).
What is Camp Lejune?
Camp Lejeune is a 250-square-mile Marine Corps base and training facility that is located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. It has been in use since 1942.
What Happened?
Around 1 million military service members, family members, and civilian contractors worked and lived at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987.
In the 1980s, the Marine Corps tested the water system and found high levels of toxic chemicals in water from the two main water treatment facilities — Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point.
What Did They Find in the Water?
Some of the toxic chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune include:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Benzene
- Vinyl chloride
- Industrial solvents
- Trans 1,2‐dichloroethylene, (1,2‐tDCE)
- And more
TCE Contamination at Hadnot Point
Hadnot Point is a water treatment facility that began operating in 1942, and supplied water to the main barracks and family housing until 1972. The main contaminant found was TCE (trichloroethylene).
In May 1982, tests detected the maximum level of TCE was 1,400 parts per billion (ppb). Today, the current limit for TCE in drinking water is 5 ppb. Tests found multiple sources of contamination, including leaking underground storage tanks and waste disposal sites on base. The most contaminated wells were shut down in February 1985.
PCE Contamination at Tarawa Terrace
The Tarawa Terrace water treatment facility began operating in 1952 and was shut down in March 1987. It provided water to family housing and the Knox trailer park.
Perchloroethylene (PCE) was the main contaminant found. The water was contaminated with PCE at maximum levels up to 215 ppb in February 1985. The current limit for PCE in drinking water is 5 ppb. The source of contamination was ABC One-Hour Cleaners, an off-base dry cleaner. The wells were shut down in February 1985.
More Information for Camp Lejeune Survivors
- Camp Lejeune: Past Water Contamination — Department of Veterans Affairs
- Summary of the water contamination situation at Camp Lejeune — Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)
- What Happened at Camp Lejeune — United States Marine Corps Reserve Association
- Am I eligible for disability benefits from VA?
Need a Camp Lejeune Lawyer in Texas?
Collen A. Clark is a true advocate for his clients and is passionate about helping Texans that have been injured or wronged.
Collen’s amazing success in the courtroom and well known dedication to his clients has earned him the recognition of his peers as one of The Top Trial Lawyers in Texas.”
The Clark Firm has assembled a team of trial lawyers with more than 100 years experience, participation in over 600 jury trials and $260 million in verdicts and/or settlements. Please use the form below to contact our law firm for a free case review.