Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyers

Representing Those Who Served, Lived & Worked at Camp Lejeune

Countless people who served, worked, and lived at United States Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina have been exposed to contaminated water that has been linked to chronic diseases and cancer. A congressional effort is underway to allow those who drank this toxic water between 1953 and 1987 to seek compensation. Our team at Bandas Law Firm is advising anyone who thinks they might have been exposed to unsafe water at Camp Lejeune to begin exploring their legal options now. If the legislation passes to allow Camp Lejeune lawsuits, then it will be better to have a case prepared and ready to begin as part of the planned mass tort.

Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune

In the 1980s, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry uncovered that two water treatment plants at Camp Lejeune – Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point water treatment plants – were distributing dangerously contaminated water to several regions of the camp. While this news was concerning enough, it was found that these water treatment plants had likely been contaminated since they were first put into commission in the early 1950s. As a result, millions of people who served, worked, and lived at Camp Lejeune across those 30+ years could have been exposed to unsafe levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the potable water.

VOCs found in the potable water of Camp Lejeune include:

• Benzene
• Perchloroethylene (PCE)
• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Vinyl chloride (VC)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a maximum amount of VOC exposure per day that can occur before an individual becomes at risk of dangerous health side effects. Some of the water sources at Camp Lejeune were found to have VOC levels that were 400 times that maximum amount. It is now assumed that the repeated and consistent exposure to the contaminated water has likely caused thousands of serious illnesses and potentially hundreds of deaths but knowing the exact amount might be impossible at this point.

Illnesses Caused by Camp Lejeune Water

VOCs have long been known to cause severe illnesses and cancers when exposure to these dangerous substances is consistent or occurs in large amounts. People who served, lived, or worked at Camp Lejeune and used potable water from the two contaminated water treatment plants could have been put at risk of these illnesses without knowing it.

Exposure to VOCs has been known to cause:

• Parkinson’s disease
• Bladder, kidney, and liver cancer
• Throat and esophageal cancer
• Stomach and lung cancer
• Leukemia
• Bone marrow diseases
• Multiple myeloma
• Higher risk of miscarriages
• Higher incidents of birth injuries
• Neurological damage

Did you spend time at Camp Lejeune and were later diagnosed with a severe illness or cancer? Call (361) 238-2789 to speak with a Camp Lejeune water contamination attorney at Bandas Law Firm. We can help determine if there is a connection between your illness and your time spent at Camp Lejeune. If there is, then you might be owed significant compensation for your pain, suffering, and various financial losses throughout the years and what will occur in the future.

Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 is a current piece of legislation that is designed to allow people to file Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits as a part of a mass tort. Taking legal action against the federal government, especially on such a large scale, is difficult, which is why the act is necessary. If it is passed and enacted, then a two-year statute of limitations will open for people to start a claim.

You do not have to wait for the Camp Lejeune Justice Act to pass to start exploring your legal options. It is currently expected that the act will pass, so we advise that you get your case moving already. With the assistance of our toxic exposure lawyers, you can be sure that your case will be made correctly and with the assistance of a legal professional.

You might be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit if you:

• Lived, worked, or served at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987.
• Used or drank water from Tarawa Terrance or Hadnot Point water treatment plants.
• Were diagnosed with a chronic illness, serious disease, or cancer; or,
• Lost a loved one to a terminal illness.

If you are not sure if you can start a claim, do not assume that you can’t. Instead, let us help you figure out your eligibility during a free initial consultation with our Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyers.

We Proudly Serve Our Country’s Bravest Protectors

From all of us at Bandas Law Firm, we salute and thank the brave military service members who served at Camp Lejeune. Let us show our thanks by offering you and your family high-quality legal services that are delivered with genuine care and compassion. Together, we can fight for compensation and justice.

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit FAQ

• Do I have to be a military service member or veteran to file a lawsuit?
  No, you do not need to be a military service member or veteran to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act will open eligibility to anyone who served, lived, or worked at the camp. If you were a family member of a military service member or worked at the camp as an independent contractor, then you could still have a case.
• Can I get VA disability benefits and still file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has announced that people who have been diagnosed with a severe illness after spending time at Camp Lejeune can file a petition for disability benefits. Receiving these benefits does not block you from also filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, though. It is possible to receive financial compensation through both options, as long as no compensation overlaps.
• How much time do I have to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
  Once the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 passes, there will be a two-year window to file a claim, which will be handled as part of a larger mass tort. Our attorneys from Bandas Law Firm are highly experienced with mass tort cases, so you can depend on us for legal help throughout the entire process.