Practice Areas Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims

We believe in being upfront about our fees. Our fee in Water Contamination cases is 1/3 or 33 1/3%.

A Jacksonville Water Contamination Attorney

From August 1953 through December 1987 residents on Camp Lejeune were exposed to toxic water that produced serious health consequences. The contaminated water supplies brought water to buildings and residences at Camp Lejeune. Two treatment plants found contamination levels including benzene tetrachloroethylene, vinyl chloride (VC), perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE).

The cause of the contamination was believed to have been multiple sources including waste disposal sites, and leaking underground storage tanks involving dry cleaning.

Any person that was stationed, lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987 may have been exposed to water that was contaminated with toxic chemicals, some as high as 7,000 time the recommended safe levels.

Many health conditions and illnesses have been linked to these chemicals. Some were affected immediately, while others did not see the symptoms for years.

Certain conditions have been recognized by the VA as being directly related to exposure to the contaminated water.

Qualifying health conditions include:

• Esophageal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Lung cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Renal toxicity
• Female infertility
• Scleroderma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Lung cancer
• Bladder cancer
• Leukemia
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Hepatic steatosis
• Miscarriage
• Neurobehavioral effects
• Adult leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Parkinson’s disease.

These conditions have already been recognized by the VA as entitling veterans continued care and have accepted these conditions as being related to water exposure.

For years, the dependendents of veterans or workers who were present on base for 30 days or more during that time were unable to bring any claims. For years, as a Jacksonville Water Contamination Lawyer, I have been forced to tell those who have suffered horrible conditions as a result of this exposure, that there was nothing they could do because of the 10-year statute of repose in North Carolina.

The United States House of Representatives and the Senate of the United States have passed what is called: The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, (although currently it is currently stalled because of a tax provision).

This legislation will allow the dependents, children and even civilian workers who were on base, the opportunity to bring a claim.

Those who believe they have suffered from these conditions will only have two years from the effective date of this legislation in which to have filed a claim.

What I will need to file a claim

1. Documentation showing dependent relationship to a veteran who served at Camp Lejeune, such as marriage license or birth certificate.
2. Documentation showing you lived on the base for 30 days or more between August 1, 1953 through December 31, 1987, such as copies of Orders or base housing records.
3. Your paid healthcare expenses for a covered condition respective to the following date ranges.
4. If you lived on Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, then you can bring a claim.

How will a Jacksonville Water Contamination Lawyer file my claim?

We will be required under legislation to submit a Form 95 claim to the United States listing the proof that you resided on Camp Lejeune during the relevant time. And that you suffered from any of the conditions identified above.

If you suffered serious health conditions that you believe are related to exposure to the contaminated water, you will still be entitled to pursue a claim it will just require a higher level of proof. The level of proof required in the legislation is relatively low and we only need to show some connection between your exposure to the contamination and the ultimate condition.

In addition, many of the people who may have been exposed and suffered severe health consequences, may have passed. As currently drafted, the legislation does not prohibit the bringing of a wrongful death claim by the beneficiaries of the estate of the person who passed away as a result of exposure to contaminated water. In other words, the surviving spouse, children, or even grandchildren may be entitled to benefits under this new act. We intend to file these claims along with the claims for ongoing medical conditions.

What do we expect to happen:

Because the legislation requires that the claim be pursued in a lawsuit in the Eastern District Federal Court system, we believe the number of claims will be simply overwhelming, and the United States will propose some sort of fund and that a tiered award system be implemented by some sort of Ombudsman or in simpler terms, someone appointed to decide which categories will qualify then make awards accordingly. This is a system that was ultimately utilized following the World Trade Center disaster, and although it is speculation at this point, we believe this is the most likely method for the disposing of the multitude of cases that will result.

Why Choose the Pope Law Firm?

Part of the process of submitting your claim will be to gather the medical records that show the condition you developed, and follow the treatment that you received. Many of you were diagnosed and began treatment while you were here locally in the Jacksonville/Camp Lejeune area. Our office is located in Jacksonville, we are familiar with the providers, even the ones who may have retired, and feel that we will have better resources for obtaining these records than out of state attorneys.

Most importantly, Frank Pope is licensed in the Federal District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina and will be able to pursue these claims, should court action be necessary.

Conclusion

So, if you or a loved one lived on base between August 1953 and December 1987, and you developed serious health complications that you believe were related to exposure to the contaminated water, you can contact our office and we will get your claim filed.

THERE ARE NO ATTORNEY FEES UNLESS THERE IS A RECOVERY FOR YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONES.

There is no charge for any consultation or for any consultation required during your claim. We also have Zoom capabilities so that if you are located out of the area, we can still meet with you face-to-face.

Please remember that you only have two years to pursue these claims and that this is the one opportunity that has been granted to receive compensation for active duty, dependents, and even workers who were on base during this time. Do not wait to file your claim, because there is a limitation on how long you have to seek benefits under this act.