Camp Lejeune is a U.S. Marine Corps base located in North Carolina. It is home to thousands of military personnel, their families, and civilian workers. However, it is also the site of one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history. For decades, the people living and working at Camp Lejeune were exposed to contaminated drinking water that caused serious health problems, such as cancer, leukemia, birth defects, and neurological disorders. In this blog post, we will explore the Camp Lejeune contamination crisis, the mass tort lawsuit that seeks justice and compensation for the victims, and how you can get involved.
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TOXIC WATER AT CAMP LEJEUNE BETWEEN 1953 & 1987 MAY BE ELIGIBLE FOR COMPENSATION
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What Happened at Camp Lejeune?
The water contamination at Camp Lejeune began in the 1950s and lasted until the late 1980s. The source of the contamination was the improper disposal of various chemicals, such as benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These chemicals were used for industrial purposes, such as cleaning, degreasing, and fueling. They were dumped or leaked into the ground, where they seeped into the aquifers that supplied the base’s water system.
The contaminated water was used for drinking, cooking, bathing, and other domestic purposes by the people at the base. According to the [Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR)], between 500,000 and 1 million people may have been exposed to the toxic water over the years. The exposure increased the risk of developing various diseases, especially among pregnant women, children, and the elderly. Some of the diseases linked to the exposure are:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Leukemia
- Lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Neuroblastoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Spina bifida
- Cleft lip and palate
- Fetal death
- Miscarriage
- Low birth weight
- Preterm birth
The water contamination was discovered in the early 1980s, but the U.S. government did not take adequate measures to warn or protect the people at the base. The government was also accused of negligence, cover-up, and destruction of evidence. It took years of investigation, advocacy, and litigation to expose the truth and hold the government accountable.
What is the Camp Lejeune Mass Tort Lawsuit?
The Camp Lejeune mass tort lawsuit is a series of legal actions filed by thousands of victims of the water contamination against the U.S. government. The plaintiffs seek justice and compensation for their injuries and losses caused by the government’s failure to prevent, detect, and remedy the contamination. The plaintiffs also demand recognition and apology from the government for its wrongdoing.
The Camp Lejeune mass tort lawsuit has been ongoing for several years, and it is still not resolved. The litigation faced many legal challenges, such as the statute of limitations, the sovereign immunity of the government, and the difficulty of proving causation. However, in 2022, Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA), which waived the government’s immunity and allowed the plaintiffs to sue the government for their damages. The CLJA also extended the statute of limitations to 10 years from the date of diagnosis or death.
The CLJA required the plaintiffs to file an administrative claim with the Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAG) of the Department of the Navy before filing a lawsuit in court. The JAG has six months to review each claim and decide whether to accept or deny it. If the JAG denies the claim or does not respond within six months, the plaintiff can file a lawsuit in federal court.
The lawsuits have been consolidated into a multi-district litigation (MDL) for pre-trial proceedings, such as discovery, motions, and settlement negotiations. The MDL is overseen by Judge Terrence W. Boyle and a few other federal judges. The MDL is expected to handle thousands of cases, and it may take several years to reach a resolution.
How Can You Get Involved?
If you think you have a potential claim for the Camp Lejeune mass tort lawsuit, you should act quickly and contact a qualified lawyer who can help you with your case. You will need to gather evidence to support your claim, such as medical records, military records, and exposure history. You will also need to file an administrative claim with the JAG within the deadline set by the CLJA. Your lawyer can guide you through the process and represent your interests in the litigation.
You can also visit the Mass Tort Intake Center website to learn more about the Camp Lejeune mass tort lawsuit and other mass torts that may affect you. The Mass Tort Intake Center is a resource for victims of defective products, dangerous drugs, and environmental hazards. You can find information, news, and updates on various mass torts, and you can also request a free consultation with an experienced lawyer who can evaluate your case and advise you on your legal options.
The Camp Lejeune mass tort lawsuit is a complex and challenging litigation that involves many parties, issues, and evidence. However, it is also an opportunity for justice and compensation for the victims of the water contamination. If you or a loved one were harmed by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune, you should not hesitate to seek legal help and join the mass tort lawsuit. You deserve to have your voice heard and your rights protected.
Voices from Camp Lejeune: A Victim’s Story
We spoke with David Wilson, a 50-year-old plumber from Texas, who was stationed at Camp Lejeune in the 1980s. He shared his experience of being affected by the water contamination at the base and his involvement in the mass tort lawsuit against the U.S. government.
When and how did you learn that you were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune?
I found out in 2014, when the doctor told me I had kidney cancer. I was shocked and scared, because nobody in my family had cancer and I was living a good life. I looked up on the internet and I saw a website that had information about the bad water at Camp Lejeune and the health problems it made. I remembered that I was at the base for three years when I was a Marine and that I drank the water every day. I called the website and they helped me talk to a lawyer who was working on the mass tort lawsuit.
What kind of health problems have you faced as a result of the exposure?
Well, I had to go through surgery, chemo, and radiation to treat my kidney cancer. It was very painful and hard, and it affected my work and my family. I also have to deal with the fear of coming back and the doubt of my future. I have heard that the bad water can also make other diseases, such as blood cancer, bladder cancer, and shaking disease. I don’t know if I will get any of these, but I hope not.
How do you feel about the mass tort lawsuit and the Camp Lejeune Justice Act?
I feel hopeful and mad at the same time. I am hopeful because the lawsuit is a chance to get justice and money for what the government did to us. They knew about the bad water and they did nothing to stop it or tell us. They put our lives in danger and they should be blamed. I am mad because the lawsuit has been taking too long and it has been very hard to get past the legal problems. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was a big move forward, but it is not enough. We need more help and respect from the government and the people. We need them to admit our pain and to help us get better.
Note: The name of the interviewee has been changed to preserve his privacy.
How the Mass Tort Intake Center Can Help You Find a Lawyer?
If you think you have a reason to join a mass tort, it is very important to find the right lawyer to help you. But finding the right lawyer for your case is not easy. You have to look at many ads on the Internet and check the results of different law firms. It can be very hard to do this by yourself.
At Mass Tort Intake Center, we are good at making the important link between people who want to sue and lawyers who know how to do it. We know about the mass torts that are happening now, and we have contacts with many firms that have experience in those areas. This means that when you ask us for help, we know where to find the lawyer you need.
As you look for a mass tort lawyer to help you get better, know that you are not alone in this hard process.
Contact Mass Tort Intake Center for a Case Review
We are ready to connect you with a very good lawyer in the Center now. You should not have to pay for the things you lost when someone else was careless and hurt you. Take our quiz right now and find out if you can sue.
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