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Exposed to Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?

If you lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and developed health problems, you may be eligible for compensation. Schedule a confidential consultation to review your claim.

  • Speak directly with a Camp Lejeune claims attorney
  • Representing veterans, families, and civilian workers nationwide

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For decades, people at Camp Lejeune Marine Base in North Carolina drank, bathed in, and cooked with water filled with dangerous chemicals. This contaminated water has caused cancers, birth defects, and other serious illnesses in veterans, their families, and civilian workers.

At DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall, our North Carolina attorneys fight for Camp Lejeune victims nationwide. With offices near the federal court where all Camp Lejeune cases must be filed, we offer advantages that out-of-state firms simply can’t match.

You served our country. Now let us serve you in your fight for justice.

What Happened at Camp Lejeune?

Between 1953 and 1987, the water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, was poisoned with harmful chemicals, including:

  • TCE (a metal degreaser)
  • PCE (a dry-cleaning chemical)
  • Benzene (a known carcinogen)
  • Vinyl chloride (a plastic production chemical)
  • DCE (an industrial solvent)

These toxic substances leaked into the base’s water from several sources, including leaky storage tanks, industrial sites, waste dumps, and a nearby dry cleaner. Tests later showed chemical levels up to 300 times higher than safety limits allow.

Almost one million Marines, family members, and civilian employees were exposed to this toxic water while living or working on the base. Many have since gotten sick with illnesses directly tied to these chemicals.

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Administrative Claim Deadline and New Developments

The initial administrative claim filing deadline under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was August 10, 2024. While this deadline has passed, there are important developments for victims:

Corrective Measures

A bill to amend the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 to make technical corrections is being pushed by lawmakers to address serious problems with how claims are being handled. This new legislation aims to fix:

  • The massive backlog of pending claims (over 100,000 cases)
  • Logistical barriers that have slowed down the process
  • Issues that have prevented victims from getting fair treatment

Proposed Improvements

The corrective legislation seeks to:

  • Make clear that victims have the right to jury trials
  • Expand jurisdiction to more courts for faster resolution
  • Place limits on attorney fees to protect victims from excessive charges
  • Streamline the claims process to get money to sick veterans faster

If you missed the initial deadline, these changes could potentially create new opportunities for filing claims. Our attorneys keep close watch on these developments and can advise on the latest options.

Who Can File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act created a way for victims to seek payment for their injuries. You may qualify if:

  • You lived, worked, or were exposed (including before birth) to Camp Lejeune’s water for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987
  • You later got one of the medical conditions linked to the water contamination

People who can file claims include:

  • Marines and Navy personnel stationed at Camp Lejeune
  • Family members who lived on base
  • Civilian workers and contractors
  • Children exposed before birth
  • Family members of victims who have died (wrongful death claims)

If you or a loved one meets these criteria, you may be eligible for compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

Health Problems Caused by Camp Lejeune Water

Studies show clear links between Camp Lejeune’s toxic water and many serious health problems, including:

Cancer

  • Bladder cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Leukemia (all types)
  • Liver cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Brain and Nerve Problems

  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Neurobehavioral effects (memory problems, mood issues)

Other Serious Conditions

  • Birth defects (especially heart problems)
  • Female infertility
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Miscarriage
  • Kidney damage
  • Scleroderma (skin hardening disease)

If you’ve been diagnosed with any of these conditions after exposure to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water, you may have a right to seek compensation. Our team is here to review your situation and help you understand your legal options.

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  • Address: 300 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601
  • Hours: M-F 8:30 A.M.-5 P.M.
  • Phone:(919) 792-4000

How Camp Lejeune Lawsuits Work

If you qualify for a Camp Lejeune claim, here’s what happens:

1. Administrative Claim

First, you must file a claim form with the Navy. This form details your exposure and medical conditions. The Navy then has six months to either:

  • Accept your claim and offer payment
  • Deny your claim
  • Do nothing (which counts as a denial after six months)

2. Federal Lawsuit

If your claim is denied or the offer is too low, your lawyer will file a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. All Camp Lejeune cases must go through this specific court.

3. The Elective Option Program

The government created a faster settlement program called the “Elective Option.” It groups conditions into three tiers:

  • Tier 1 (highest payments): Kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemias, bladder cancer, and Parkinson’s disease
  • Tier 2 (medium payments): Multiple myeloma, kidney disease, scleroderma
  • Tier 3 (lower payments): Breast cancer, esophageal cancer, lung cancer, and others

While this program offers faster results, many victims find the amounts too low compared to their suffering.

4. Litigation and Bellwether Trials

Cases that don’t settle are organized into “tracks” based on disease type. The court will select some cases as “bellwether trials” to go first.

These test cases help show how juries respond and set the stage for other settlements.

Get Help With Your Camp Lejeune Claim

If you or someone you love might qualify for a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit, call DeMent Askew Johnson & Marshall today for a free case review. Our skilled North Carolina lawyers will look at your situation and explain your options.

Call or contact us online to talk with a dedicated North Carolina personal injury lawyer about your Camp Lejeune water contamination case.

Serving clients in Raleigh, Durham, Orange, Carteret, and Chatham Counties, and throughout North Carolina.

Areas served

Wake County

  • Raleigh
  • Cary
  • Apex
  • Morrisville
  • Garner
  • Holly Springs
  • Fuquay-Varina
  • Wake Forest
  • Rolesville
  • Knightdale
  • Wendell
  • Zebulon

Carteret County

  • Beaufort
  • Morehead City
  • Atlantic Beach
  • Emerald Isle
  • Newport

Durham County

  • Durham

Orange County

  • Chapel Hill
  • Carrboro
  • Hillsborough

Chatham County

  • Pittsboro
  • Siler City

Johnston County (Smithfield courthouse only)

  • Smithfield

FAQs

Do I need an attorney for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit?

Yes, you definitely need a lawyer for a Camp Lejeune water case. These lawsuits involve tricky scientific proof, special legal rules, and fighting the federal government. A good lawyer will check if you qualify, gather all needed proof, file your Navy claim correctly, handle court papers, and fight for the most money possible. Without a lawyer, you might make mistakes that kill your case or accept much less money than you deserve.

How long will it take to get a settlement from the Camp Lejeune lawsuit?

How long it takes to get money from a Camp Lejeune case depends on which path your case takes:

  • Elective Option: If you qualify and accept the government’s quick settlement offer, you might get paid within several months.
  • Full lawsuit: For cases going through the complete court process, it typically takes 1-3 years. This includes the Navy claim process (up to six months), court proceedings, possible trial, and any appeals.

Every case is different, and timing depends on how complex your health problems are, how strong your proof is, and how many other cases are moving through the system at the same time.

How many people have filed claims against Camp Lejeune?

Over 100,000 Camp Lejeune claims have been filed with the Navy. This is only a portion of the nearly one million people who may have been exposed to toxic water at the base between 1953 and 1987.

What is the 35-year rule for Camp Lejeune?

The “35-year rule” refers to the time when the water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated, from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, which is about 35 years. To qualify for a Camp Lejeune claim, you must have been exposed to the toxic water for at least 30 days during this 35-year period.

Cases We Handle

Areas Served

IN RALEIGH:
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Raleigh, NC 27601 Get Direction
(919) 833-5555
IN MOREHEAD CITY:
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Morehead City,
NC 28557 Get Direction
(252) 251-5555
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