Camp Lejeune Water
Contamination Lawyers
The water at Camp Lejeune has been contaminated with toxic chemicals causing an increases risk of cancer and other serious medical conditions to residence of the base and those working in the area. Warner Law Offices understands the danger and devastation caused by the contamination. Our team of fierce advocates is dedicated to helping clients recover the compensation they deserve.
New, Efficient Way to Receive Camp Lejeune Settlement
As of September of 2023, the Department of Justice and the Department of Navy announced an ‘Elective Option’ to resolve Camp Lejeune claims more efficiently. This is a voluntary process for qualifying claims under the Camp Lejeune Act of 2022 (CLJA).
The ‘Elective Option’ provides similar settlement offers to claimants with comparable exposures, injuries, and evidence of causation. This ensures equitable treatment for all eligible claimants.
The potential settlements are broken down as the following per the Department of Justice and the Department of Navy if determined to be a qualifying claim:
Through this ‘Elective Option,’ we believe qualifying Camp Lejeune claims will be more efficient. We are currently representing nearly 200 local veterans and their families. Let us help you get your claim filed by calling us at 304-345-6789.
Contaminants and Causes
The Camp Lejeune U.S. Marine Corps and Navy base has been operational since 1942. The base receives drinking water from eight treatment plants surrounding the base. The Marine Corps discovered dangerous volatile organic compounds in the drinking water coming from two of the eight treatment facilities.
According to testing, the toxic substances in the water include:
- Perchloroethylene
- Tetrachloroethylene
- Vinyl chloride
- Benzene
- Trichloroethylene
These chemicals are called PCEs and are the result of human activity. While the chemicals are organically produced, they are not organic meaning they are man-made compounds not found in the earth. Because of their composition and toxicity, PCEs often take decades to decompose and can cause harm in small doses.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has traced the contamination back to improper toxic waste disposal from cleaning facilities in the area. There are specific waste disposal regulations from the federal government that require all facilities with toxic byproducts or waste to dispose of it in a way that does not infiltrate the groundwater.
Not only did the operators fail to follow these regulations, but they also neglected to check on old waste to ensure that there were no leaks or spills. VOCs and PCEs cause serious health issues from increased risk of cancer to central nervous system damage in extreme cases.
Thousands of Camp Lejeune residents have been exposed to high levels raw toxic chemicals between 1953 and 1987. Since the advent of legislation expanding healthcare and benefits for veterans called the PACT Act, veterans and their families can pursue litigation and hold the negligent parties responsible
Toxic Water Exposure Claims
Claims are filed with the Office of the Judge Advocate General of the Navy’s Tort Claims Unit who will process the claim and determine the amount of compensation, if any, the claimant is owed.
Claims of this nature rely on the legal concepts of negligence and duty of care. Negligence occurs when one party neglects to abide by rules or regulations put in place to protect customers, visitors, residents, and others who share the road or enter their space. For example, a negligent driver may violate the speeding laws and cause an accident.
Duty of care is the responsibility a property owner or individual has to their customer or resident. In the Camp Lejeune case, the water treatment facilities and industrial facilities had a duty of care to follow the Environmental Protection Agency’s regulations and prevent contamination.
The negligent parties may have willfully chosen to ignore their duty of care. This is grounds for a claim. It is important to note that the Camp Lejeune toxic water case is composed of thousands of claims and is potentially one of the largest mass litigation or class action lawsuits in American history.
Class action and mass litigation are complicated and those seeking to make a claim should not do so without legal guidance.
Helping You Recover What Matters
For the thousands of families affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, no compensation could be enough to erase the harm caused by years of exposure to toxic chemicals. However, compensation can help to provide financial provision for lost wages, healthcare costs, long term care, pain and suffering, and emotional distress.
Warner Law Offices can help you create a legal strategy that holds the negligent parties responsible and ensures that you receive the most optimal result. Our team of attorneys have extensive courtroom and negotiating experience and can offer you the support you need during this difficult time.
Do not wait – contact our Charleston Camp Lejeune toxic water exposure attorneys at Warner Law Offices, PLLC today.
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Bobby has received many accolades throughout the years from both his peers in the legal community, as well as the media. The National Trial Lawyers association named Bobby a Top 100 Trial Lawyer and he has been selected as a Member of the Nation’s Top One Percent. Additionally, he has been named a Best Attorneys of America by Rue Ratings, which also named Warner Law Offices to its Best Law Firms of America.
We represent clients across West Virginia and surrounding areas, providing compassionate client service and relentless advocacy in and out of the courtroom.
Call us 304-345-6789 or
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