The law firm of Nadrich & Cohen is actively representing those who have been exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
North Carolina’s Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune saw its water treatment facilities contaminated by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE), from 1953 to 1987, according to the CDC.
Anyone at Camp Lejeune during those years may have been exposed to toxic chemicals and may be at risk of significant illness, according to medical evidence.
If you or a loved one became ill after being exposed to Camp Lejeune water contamination, you may be eligible for financial compensation in a lawsuit for past and future medical bills, pain, suffering, lost wages, loss of earning capacity and more.
We are representing veterans exposed to Camp Lejeune’s water on a contingency fee basis, meaning the only fee our law firm charges is a percentage of any recovery or settlement we obtain for you. Our Camp Lejeune attorneys won’t charge a fee if our law firm doesn’t obtain financial compensation in the lawsuit.
Who Qualifies For The Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
President Biden signed The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 into law on August 10, 2022.
The new law addresses resources, healthcare, the presumption of service connection, research, and other areas relating to veterans who suffered toxic exposure during their military service.
Section 804 of the act is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, which lets those sickened by water contamination to seek a settlement or recovery via a lawsuit for any harm the contaminated water did to them.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act states that you are eligible if:
- Your exposure to the contaminated water (which includes in utero exposure) at Camp Lejeune lasted at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987; and
- The water at Camp Lejeune harmed you
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act applies to civilians, veterans and their family members. Anyone exposed to the water at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more during the time period listed above who became ill due to Camp Lejeune water contamination qualifies to file a lawsuit, whether they were civilians or service members.
A time limit exists for the filing of claims. Camp Lejeune claims can’t be filed:
- Two years after the signing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act into law; or
- 180 days after a Camp Lejeune claim gets denied by 28 U.S. Code § 2675
Those who file a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act must produce evidence sufficient to show that Camp Lejeune water contamination caused their sickness or that water contamination is at least as likely to have led to their sickness as not.
We are currently accepting cases involving:
- Acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
- Brain cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Central nervous system (CNS) cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Hodgkins lymphoma
- Liver cancer
- Leukemia
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Lung cancer
- Non-Hodgkins lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Prostate cancer
- Ovarian cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Scleroderma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Female infertility (including miscarriages)
- ALS
The best way to discover if you are eligible for a lawsuit is to contact us for a free consultation. Our law firm can ensure any claim you file is filed in a timely manner, and we can collect any evidence necessary to prove your sickness was the result of Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water.
Evidence Collection
Claims involving the water at Camp Lejeune are technically personal injury claims. The most important part of successfully obtaining a recovery in any personal injury case is gathering high-quality evidence.
Evidence involving the water at Camp Lejeune might include many different documents relating to the time you or someone you love spent at the military base.
Evidence in a potential lawsuit might include:
- Documents that prove you or someone you love lived at Camp Lejeune
- Medical records
- Diagnoses
- Records of military service that state locations and dates served
- Records of travel
- Medical bills
- Records of benefits
- Healthcare information
How Does The Camp Lejeune Justice Act Differ From Other Camp Lejeune Bills?
H.R. 1627, the Camp Lejeune Families Act, was passed in 2012 by Congress. This bill provided some healthcare benefits to those exposed to the contaminated drinking water as long as they qualified.
Under this bill, family members of veterans would receive healthcare benefits and veterans would qualify for benefits as well as Veterans Affairs compensation benefits.
Veterans Affairs then passed a rule in 2017 providing additional benefits, as well as expanding on conditions linked to exposure to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act differs from prior Camp Lejeune bills because it actually allows those sickened by the water to seek Camp Lejeune settlement payouts for their illness via the legal process.
What Can I Be Compensated for in a Camp Lejeune Claim?
We can assist in obtaining financial compensation for:
Medical bills: We can help you obtain compensation for any medical bills which have resulted from sickness caused by water contamination by filing a lawsuit on your behalf. Your sickness may also require long-term medical care, maybe even for the rest of your life. We can assist you by obtaining financial compensation for any medical bills you can be reasonably estimated to incur as a result of illness caused by water contamination.
Loss of wages: You might have missed time from work because of sickness caused by water contamination. We can assist you by obtaining compensation, via a recovery or a settlement, for any lost wages resulting from your inability to work.
Lost earning capacity: Your sickness might have led to you being permanently unable to do the work you did prior to becoming ill, or permanently unable to do any work. We can assist you by obtaining financial compensation via a lawsuit for loss of earning capacity due to illness caused by water contamination.
Pain and suffering: We can assist you by obtaining financial compensation via litigation for any mental suffering and physical pain you have experienced due to your sickness.
Wrongful death: If you lost a loved one to sickness caused by water contamination, we can assist you by obtaining wrongful death compensation by filing a lawsuit on your behalf. This financial compensation might include compensation for loss of financial support, loss of relationship benefits, lost care, affection, love and more.
How Camp Lejeune Claims Will Proceed
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows those exposed to water at Camp Lejeune to file a lawsuit seeking financial compensation for illness that the water allegedly caused.
Before a toxic water lawsuit can be filed in federal court, though, the act requires claimants to comply with 28 U.S.C. § 2675 of the United States Code.
What this means is that before a toxic water lawsuit can be filed in federal court, plaintiffs need to first submit a claim to the correct federal agency. This agency has six months to deny or accept the claim once it is submitted. Claimants need to wait until the six month deadline expires or their claims get denied before filing Camp Lejeune lawsuits.
In a lot of lawsuits against the military, these claims get denied, leading to lawsuits. However, things may be different regarding claims involving the water at Camp Lejeune.
It is our belief that claimants will receive fair settlement offers as long as the screening process shows they meet certain qualifications. We believe many claimants will never need to file Camp Lejeune lawsuits over the water at Camp Lejeune as they will accept the Camp Lejeune settlement amounts first.
Our experienced lawyers can help make sure your Camp Lejeune claim shows that you meet the qualifications necessary to receive a fair settlement offer from the U.S. government.
We expect the Camp Lejeune claims to go this way because the purpose of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was making sure Camp Lejeune victims are compensated for their illness, and because President Biden has stated he is in support of veterans receiving compensation that they deserve.
The correct federal agency to file Camp Lejeune administrative claims with will be the Navy, who was ultimately responsible for the Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune.
While Camp Lejeune claims will be filed with the Navy, the Department of Justice will probably instruct them on how to handle Camp Lejeune claims, and the Department of Justice will be directed by President Biden.
When you hire Nadrich & Cohen, we will work hard to make the claims process as easy and stress-free as it can be for you as well as your loved ones. We will handle every part of the process on your behalf so your focus can be on your recovery and health.
We will:
- Provide you with a free consultation during which we will determine if you are eligible to file a Camp Lejeune claim
- Build a strong case involving evidence, testimony and medical records
- File a claim on your behalf
- File a lawsuit for you if necessary
- Negotiate settlement amounts on your behalf with the defendant
- Litigate your case in court, if necessary
What Diseases Are Associated With Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
There are a number of health effects that have been linked to Camp Lejeune water contamination by scientific and medical evidence.
These health effects have been documented by a 2009 National Research Council (NRC) report, clinical guidance reports published by a committee of experts established by the Veteran’s Administration (VA), and studies by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
2009 National Research Council Report
In 2009, the National Research Council published Contaminated Water Supplies at Camp Lejeune: Assessing Potential Health Effects.
The report was prepared by a committee at the request of the Navy, which consisted of experts in toxicology, epidemiology, environmental health, exposure analysis, risk assessment, biostatistics, and groundwater modeling.
The report focused on what scientific evidence says about any causal relationship between health outcomes and past exposure to Camp Lejeune water contamination. It found that not only was drinking the water at Camp Lejeune considered exposure to the contaminants, but bathing, showering, and washing dishes could also expose people to the contaminants since toxic chemicals in hot water such as TCE and PCE can evaporate and be inhaled.
Contaminated Water Sources
According to the report, two water systems belonging to the Camp Lejeune water supply had been contaminated: the Tarawa Terrace system and the Hadnot Point system.
The primary contaminant in the Tarawa Terrace system’s water was PCE, a dry-cleaning solvent that was used by ABC One-Hour Cleaners, an off-base dry cleaning facility.
The contamination occurred due to spills, as well as improper disposal.
The water in the Hadnot Point system was contaminated with TCE, trans-1,2-DCE, PCE, methylene chloride, and vinyl chloride.
There were multiple sources of toxic chemicals in the Hadnot Point system, according to the report, including:
- A drum dump
- An industrial area
- An industrial fly ash dump
- A transformer storage lot
- A former fire training area
- An open storage pit
- A liquids disposal area
- A former on-base dry cleaning site
- A fuel-tank sludge area
- A former burn dump
- An original base dump site
Reported Health Effects
When reviewing epidemiologic evidence, the report found limited or suggested evidence of an association between exposure to TCE, PCE, or solvent mixtures and numerous health effects, meaning evidence existed that those exposed to these substances are more likely to suffer from the health effects.
However, the studies had limitations or were few in number. Those health effects were:
- Lung cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Adult leukemia
- Kidney cancer
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Multiple myeloma
- Hepatic steatosis
- Renal toxicity
- Miscarriage
- Female infertility
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Scleroderma
The report also found that while inadequate or insufficient evidence exists to determine if there’s an association between exposure to TCE, PCE, or solvent mixtures and numerous other health effects, an association also can’t be ruled out.
Those health effects were:
- Nasal cancer
- Oral/pharyngeal cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Laryngeal cancer
- Colon cancer
- Stomach cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Hepatobiliary cancer
- Soft tissue sarcoma
- Bone cancer
- Non-melanoma skin cancer
- Melanoma
- Cervical cancer
- Breast cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Cancer of the central nervous system or brain
- Multiple myeloma
- Hodgkin disease
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Adult leukemia
- Childhood neuroblastoma
- Childhood leukemia
- Aplastic anemia
- Childhood brain cancer
- Male infertility
- Congenital malformations
- Miscarriage
- Fetal growth restriction
- Preterm birth
- Female infertility
- Cardiovascular effects
- Gastrointestinal effects
- Liver function issues
- Risk of cirrhosis
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
- Renal toxicity
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson’s disease
- Long-term color discrimination reduction
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Long-term olfactory function reduction
- Long-term loss of hearing
Toxicologic Evidence Findings
When reviewing toxicologic evidence, the report found that TCE or PCE could cause the following in rats or mice:
- Kidney cancer
- Testicular cancer
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Mononuclear cell leukemia
The report concluded that kidney cancer was the most relevant of these health effects on humans.
Other health effects the report identified that were linked by toxicologic evidence to TCE or PCE included:
- Kidney toxicity
- Liver toxicity
- Effects on male fertility
- Adverse effects on offspring
- Adverse changes in nervous system measurements
- Immune system effects
When considering the toxicologic and epidemiologic evidence together, the report concluded that there was suggestive/limited evidence for an association between TCE or PCE exposure and:
- Kidney cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Bladder cancer
The report found that the toxicological evidence most strongly supported a link with kidney cancer. It also found that effects of TCE and PCE that were similar in humans and lab animals included adverse effects on the immune system, nervous system, kidneys, and liver.
The report found that the following health effects were seen in both epidemiologic and toxicologic studies:
- Kidney cancer
- Kidney toxicity
- Liver toxicity
- Immunologic effects
- Neurobehavioral effects
2015 Review of VA Clinical Guidance
A Review of VA Clinical Guidance for the Health Conditions Identified by the Camp Lejeune Legislation was published in 2015 by the National Academies Press. It was compiled by a committee of experts established by the VA.
The review found that exposure to TCE or PCE can cause renal effects such as tubular necrosis, cytomegaly, tubular epithelium necrosis, and karyomegaly.
It also found that strong evidence exists suggesting an association between TCE or PCE exposure and acute tubular toxicity in humans and rodents.
The review also found that evidence exists for a link between PCE or TCE exposure and the risk of death from end-stage renal disease.
Parkinson’s Disease
The review found that while the 2009 NRC report determined that there was inadequate or insufficient evidence to establish a link between TCE or PCE exposure and Parkinson’s disease, newer studies that the VA-established committee assessed led the committee to conclude that TCE or PCE exposure may cause Parkinson’s disease.
Neurobehavioral Effects
The review found that recent studies established a “clear association” between infant neural tube defects and mothers being exposed to TCE or PCE.
The review suggests that the VA should consider stating in its clinical guidance that these neural tube defects can cause neurobehavioral effects.
The review also recommended that the VA consider stating that adolescent illicit drug use and adult illicit drug use, as well as bipolar disorder, be mentioned in its clinical guidance as neurobehavioral effects related to TCE or PCE exposure.
Vision Impairment
The review found that there is an association between TCE or PCE exposure and deficits in color discrimination and contrast sensitivity regarding vision.
Cancer
The review concluded that the VA should cover eight different cancers (esophageal, lung, breast, bladder, kidney, leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and multiple myeloma) in its Camp Lejeune program regardless of latency.
Scleroderma
While the 2009 NRC report found only limited or suggestive evidence suggesting an association between scleroderma and exposure to mixed solvents, the review concluded that new evidence confirmed an association between TCE and scleroderma.
Other Health Effects
The review found that exposure to TCE or PCE may result in infertility or miscarriage. It also found that exposure to TCE or PCE is associated with hepatic steatosis, also known as fatty liver.
ATSDR Studies
ATSDR studies have linked the following health effects with exposure to Camp Lejeune water contamination:
- Male breast cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Rectal cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Cervical cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Liver cancer
- Hodgkin lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney disease
- Preterm birth
- Small for gestational age infants
- Term low birth weight
- Reduced mean birth weight
- Neural tube defects
- Child hematopoietic cancers like leukemia
2023 Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Updates
As of January 2023, over 15,000 claims have been filed. Navy JAG has a 6-month period to respond as part of their administrative claims process. Therefore, they have until February 11, 2023 to respond to the first claims which have been made since the Camp Lejeune Justice Act/ PACT Act was signed into law on August 11, 2022.
You Deserve Experienced, Expert Lawyers Representing You
If you’ve become ill due to contaminated water, filing a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit with enough evidence might mean the difference between a lifetime of debt and a lifetime of medical bills that are paid for.
The Camp Lejeune lawyers at Nadrich & Cohen have been representing victims of toxic exposure, such as those who were exposed to AFFF firefighting foam on military bases, for over 30 years.
We are experts at collecting evidence and presenting it in a manner which definitively proves our clients’ sicknesses were the result of exposure to various toxic chemicals. This expertise means we can maximize the recovery in the lawsuit.
We have recovered over $350,000,000 on behalf of our clients. We are experts at holding those who expose others to toxic chemicals accountable for their actions.
Don’t hesitate; call us today for a free consultation or text us from this page. You may be entitled to financial recovery under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, and we have the experience and know-how to obtain the largest possible settlement for you.
