Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Attorneys
Carter Mario Law Firm Represents Victims of Contaminated Water Exposure
Carter Mario Law Firm is currently hearing from people who served, lived, or worked on United States Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987 and now suffer from a serious chronic illness or cancer. We are investigating the potential connection between Camp Lejeune’s contaminated drinking water during those years and the higher risk of severe illnesses. Furthermore, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act could soon pass to allow those affected to seek financial compensation and justice. There is no better time than today to find out if you could have a Camp Lejeune contaminated water lawsuit, too.
Call Carter Mario’s toxic exposure lawyers at (203) 876-2711 for more information about Camp Lejeune contaminated water lawsuits.
Camp Lejeune’s History of Water Contamination
The Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point water treatment plants of Camp Lejeune were first used in the early 1950s. The water from these two treatment plants was pumped to various residential locations, barracks, administrative offices, schools, hospitals, and parks throughout Camp Lejeune. Across the years these plants were in operation, potentially millions of people could have consumed and bathed in contaminated water from these sources, including military service members, their families, and independent contractors.
In 1982, a study conducted by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry determined both of these water treatment plants were contaminated by unsafe levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Certain areas of Camp Lejeune were exposed to unsafe VOC levels exceeding 400 times what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considered to be the “maximum safe amount.”
VOCs found in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune included:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Benzene
- Vinyl chloride (VC)
Illnesses Caused by VOC Exposure
Ingesting volatile organic compounds or having direct contact with them can cause a variety of different illnesses, diseases, and health conditions. The more someone is exposed to VOCs, the greater the risk of illness becomes.
Some of the worst illnesses related to exposure to the VOCs found in Camp Lejeune’s water include:
- Bladder, breast, cervical, kidney, lung, stomach, and esophageal cancer
- Leukemia
- Multiple myeloma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Aplastic anemia and bone marrow loss
- Higher risk of miscarriage or birth injury
- Neurological damage that causes various mental health disorders
Given that some people at Camp Lejeune could have been exposed to significant VOC levels for decades, the risk of severe illness in those situations could be dramatic. It is believed thousands of people could be currently suffering adverse side effects from Camp Lejeune water contamination. Hundreds more might have already passed away from the toxic exposure.
Symptoms of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Numerous studies found Camp Lejeune’s drinking water to be contaminated with nearly 100 harmful chemicals, including Perchloroethylene (PCE) and Trichloroethylene (TCE). Exposure to these chemicals can cause victims to develop several illnesses. Former residents of Camp Lejeune should be wary of symptoms indicating exposure to TCE or PCE.
Common symptoms from exposure to TCE include:
- Mood swings
- Behavioral changes
- Impaired coordination
- Impaired motor and cognitive skills
- Deteriorated kidney function
- Respiratory issues
- Visual impairment due to eye irritation
Common symptoms from exposure to PCE include:
- Facial numbness
- Headaches
- Fatigue and sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Physical weakness
What is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act?
The men and women who served, lived, and worked at Camp Lejeune deserve fair compensation for their losses. Yet legal action against the liable parties for the contaminated water has been hampered significantly. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 is poised to finally make things right and give people a chance to file a claim.
If the Camp Lejeune Justice Act becomes effective soon, as expected, then it will allow affected plaintiffs to take legal action, like a personal injury mass tort. It will be consolidated in the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of North Carolina. When the act passes, there will be a slim two-year statute of limitations to file a claim.
Camp Lejeune water contamination claimants will be able to seek damages related to:
- Past and future medical treatment costs
- Lost wages and reduced income capacity
- Permanent disability and disability benefits
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of companionship
- Miscellaneous compensatory damages
Expected Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlement Amounts
The United States Congressional Budget Office estimates the total settlement value for all claims to be 6.7 billion dollars. Unfortunately, there is no way to calculate the precise settlement value of individual toxic exposure claims for former civilians and service members stationed at Camp Lejeune. The value of a victim’s claim often depends on the illness they developed due to water contamination.
Let Carter Mario Law Firm Help – Call Now
At Carter Mario Law Firm, our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers would be honored to serve the men and women who have bravely served our country. If you served, lived, or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, and were diagnosed with a serious illness, then we want to hear from you. The same is true if you lost a loved one to possible complications from the water contamination. You could have a valid claim to file if the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is officially enacted, so it is helpful to get a start now by understanding your options.
Carter Mario really cares about you and your claim. Call (203) 876-2711 and ask about our 8-Point Guarantee and free consultations for Camp Lejeune clients.
