What are the Camp Lejeune Lawsuits?
For over 30 years, more than 1 million veterans, families, and civilian workers living at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina became exposed to water contaminated by industrial waste, pesticides, solvents, and other toxins. The US government knew about it and did nothing. As a result of bathing in, cooking with, or drinking the water, many people suffered or died due to diseases, defects, miscarriages, and more.
Decades later, the US government finally set aside billions in settlement money for those who lived at Camp Lejeune for longer than 30 days between 1953 and 1987. Today, many people have filed Camp Lejeune toxic water lawsuits; veterans, families, and spouses may file for themselves or on behalf of a deceased loved one to seek compensation for the death, disease, or injury they suffered. Mostyn Law is committed to helping Camp Lejeune victims and survivors, and we are ready to help you learn more about qualifying your case.
At Mostyn Law, we have fought diligently for every client who suffered from a wrongful injury or death. Part of our passion is to ensure that veterans receive full compensation under the law for any damages they suffered due to negligence during their time serving our country. Our deep knowledge of the Camp Lejeune toxic water lawsuits enables us to play a pivotal role in fighting for veterans’ rights. We do everything we can to help them pursue what they are rightfully owed in light of Camp Lejeune’s catastrophic toxic water.
What are the diseases, neurobehavioral effects, and other complications caused by Camp Lejeune’s toxic water?
Cancers
There are more than a dozen forms of cancer that Camp Lejeune’s toxic water directly caused, and some of the symptoms could have taken years before becoming noticeable. These include:
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Bladder carcinoma (bladder cancer)
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Brain tumors (brain cancer)
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Breast cancer
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Cervical cancer
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Colorectal cancer (colon cancer)
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Kidney cancer
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Leukemia (blood cancer)
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Hepatic cancer (liver cancer)
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Lung cancer
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Multiple myeloma (Kahler’s disease)
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Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS, preleukemia)
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Neurobehavioral cancer
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Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)
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Prostatic carcinoma (prostate cancer)
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Sarcoma (soft tissue cancer)
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Thyroid cancer
Neurobehavioral effects
The toxic effects of hazardous water can have devastating neurological effects, including neurodegenerative diseases, kidney or liver diseases, and other severe medical conditions, such as:
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Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
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Aplastic anemia
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End-stage renal disease
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Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease)
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Hodgkin’s lymphoma (Hodgkin’s disease)
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Parkinson’s disease
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Renal toxicity (kidney failure)
Pregnancy complications
For those who may be carrying an unborn child, toxic water can lead to potentially fatal pregnancy complications, including:
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Birth defects (including heart, neural, and down syndrome)
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Congenital heart disease (CHD, cardiac defects)
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Miscarriage
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Infertility
Camp Lejeune Lawsuit FAQs
Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuit Updates
Scammers capitalize on Camp Lejeune toxic water lawsuits
January 2023
If you have been researching about filing a Camp Lejeune toxic water lawsuit, you may already have been spotted by advertisers and placed on a dedicated calling list. And if you have an active Camp Lejeune claim, scammers are likely to try to con you by pretending to be a lawyer seeking payment.
You will know they are a scammer if they ask you to pay a bill or a filing fee because genuine law firms would never do this. Real lawyers get paid only if you, the client, get paid via a settlement.
If a scammer contacts you asking for money, do not give them any personal information and end the call immediately. Call our experienced team of lawyers for proper representation. You can reach Mostyn Law at (713) 714-0000 or 800-400-4000.
The Navy estimates 15,000 Camp Lejeune claims
December 2022
The Department of the Navy’s legal division (JAG) is processing 15,000 Camp Lejeune claims filed, and expects that number to grow sharply. But until the division makes an online portal, anyone who wants to file a new Camp Lejeune claim must do so by emailing JAG. And even though documentation is not currently required, it will likely become necessary in the coming months.
Of the 15,000 claims filed, the Navy has responded to none of them. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act states that if the Navy does not settle your case within six months of your administrative claim, you can file a lawsuit in federal court. But the final federal deadline to file lawsuits is August 11, 2024 - two years after the Camp Lejeune Act passed.
JAG doesn’t require documentation to file - yet
October 2022
For now, you do not have to provide proof of your military personnel or federal employment records to file a Camp Lejeune claim, the Judge Advocate General (JAG) announced. However, you may have to submit that evidence down the line once the online portal launches.
Facing thousands of filings and record requests, JAG and the National Personnel Records Center will use the portal to verify military connections at scale. If you have already filed an administrative claim, JAG will decide if you need to submit the proper documents on a case-by-case basis at a future date.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act becomes a law
August 2022
Veterans and their families can proceed with civil claims and federal lawsuits after President Biden signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act into law. Under the new law, up to one million affected people may sue for a financial settlement.
Even if the courts previously dismissed it, the CLJA allows you to resubmit your Camp Lejeune legacy case from years ago. However, you must re-file your legacy case before proceeding with a civil claim or federal suit.
Full Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Timeline
1942: The Camp Lejeune military base opens
Following the US Congress approving its launch in April 1941, the Camp Lejeune military base opened after principal construction was completed in the fall of 1942. After a few more years of additional construction, the camp would become a full-fledged community by 1945, with roads, schools, and more.
Camp Lejeune received its name in honor of Major General John Lejeune, 13th Commandant and Commanding General in the army during WWI, who died the year the camp was completed. Lejeune was an innovative figure for his contributions to amphibious assault in the US military.
1953: Contamination begins at Camp Lejeune
A nearby, off-base dry cleaner opened in 1953 called ABC One-Hour Cleaners. The business promptly began dumping waste on the base, choosing to unload across the street from Tarawa Terrace. Additionally, the septic tank on-site at the dry cleaner facility leaked into the soil. By August 1953, the water sources became compromised, and the Camp Lejeune contamination timeline had begun.
1972: The Holcomb Boulevard water system opens
The Holcomb Boulevard water system started in 1972 and replaced the Hadnot Point water system. Eventually, the Holcomb facility began mixing its water with the contaminated water from the Hadnot Point water system. As a result, residents of Berkeley Manor, Midway Park, and Paradise Point may have encountered the dangerous water around this time.
1980-1982: The US Military discovers the toxic water
Although the Navy did not receive the results until May 1982, scientists started testing the 12 water wells on-site at the base by October 1980. At that point, the Navy discovered maximum levels of TCE as well as the presence of several other hazardous chemicals: PCE, DCE, vinyl chloride, and benzene.
1985: Shutdowns begin at Camp Lejeune
By February 1985, the military had found the most hazardous water wells (10 out of the 12 on the base) and shut them down. The water was 200-3000 times over the amount of toxins that would be considered generally safe—beyond toxic. Scientists also discovered maximum levels of PCE at Tarawa Terrace, and supply plants began to close. It wasn’t until 1987 that the water was deemed safe.
2012: The Camp Lejeune Families Act passes
In 2012, President Obama signed the Camp Lejeune Families Act. The law provides free healthcare benefits to veterans through the VA and reimburses health care costs for family members. Coverage includes aplastic anemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Parkinson’s disease.
2022: The Camp Lejeune Justice Act becomes law
Biden signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act in August 2022, about two months after the bill passed in the US Senate, with enthusiastic support from both parties. The law allows former residents, veterans, civilians, and their families to file civil claims and federal lawsuits for settlement money.
