Camp Lejeune Lawyer in Ohio: Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

A Camp Lejuene lawyer in Ohio can help veterans and their families navigate the complicated route to them recovering compensation for their losses and pain and suffering due to exposure to contaminated water while stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987. 

The lawyers at GB Law are experienced in handling these types of cases and claims, and we are here to help service members, past or present, and their loved ones who may have been exposed to water contamination at Camp Lejeune in any way possible.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

What Happened at Camp Lejeune?

camp lejeune veterans roll out

Camp Lejeune is a Marine Corps base located near Jacksonville, North Carolina, that was founded in 1941 and grew to become one of the largest Marine Corps base camps in the country.

In the 1970s, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called Camp Lejeune a major polluter (1). Unfortunately, not much came out of this, as military bases were known for being behind the times when it came to environmental considerations.

Camp Lejeune’s waste disposal strategy for decades involved dumping oil and industrial wastewater down storm drains and burying radioactive materials and dead animals used in chemical tests.

It wasn’t until the 1980s that the EPA began to make recommendations for the levels of certain chemicals in drinking water and tap water, which resulted in the agency testing water samples from Camp Lejeune in 1984. After nearly a decade of testing Camp Lejeune water samples and an investigational probe, Camp Lejeune was listed as a Superfund Site in 1989 (2).

While the water at Camp Lejeune meets today’s safety standards, the effects of the contaminated water continue to cause pain and suffering for veterans and their families decades later.

What Toxins Were Found in Camp Lejeune’s Water?

female scientist tests Camp Lejeune water for toxins

The EPA reported the presence of at least 70 types of toxic chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune, including several Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), many of which are used in industrial cleaning solvents. 

The most common contaminants found in the toxic water at Camp Lejeune include:

  • Trichloroethylene (TCE)
  • Tetrachloroethylene/Perchloroethylene (PCE)
  • Benzene
  • Vinyl chloride

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) became involved in testing the concentration of certain chemicals at the Camp Lejeune base.

A May 1982 report found that the maximum concentration of perchloroethylene (PCE) in Camp Lejeune’s toxic drinking water was 1,400 parts per billion—280 times the allowed concentration in drinking water (3).

What are the Diseases Caused by the Contaminated Drinking Water at Camp Lejeune?

camp lejeune veteran prays

The health conditions caused by toxic drinking water vary widely. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) considers the following conditions as the only ones that have sufficient scientific and medical evidence to be linked to the water supply at Camp Lejeune (4):

  • Adult leukemia
  • Aplastic anemia (and other myelodysplastic syndromes)
  • Bladder cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Parkinson’s disease

However, many other Camp Lejeune residents who were harmed by the toxic water report other health effects and conditions:

  • ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease)
  • Brain damage and injuries causing a variety of neurobehavioral effects
  • Birth defects and birth injuries
  • Breast cancer
  • Cardiac defects
  • Esophageal cancer
  • Fatty liver disease
  • Hepatic steatosis
  • Infertility and miscarriages
  • Renal toxicity (kidney failure)
  • Scleroderma

If You or a Loved One Were Exposed to the Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune, Call GB Law

camp lejeune veteran and his family

On August 10, 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 (5), which contains a bill referred to as the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 (6). 

Under this law, certain individuals exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, can sue and recover damages from the government. 

Our attorneys at GB Law can help Camp Lejeune families navigate the complicated route to help them receive compensation for their losses or pain and suffering from water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

Contact GB Law today for a free case review.

How Much Time Do Residents of Ohio Have to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

ohio veteran who served at camp lejeune awaits medical diagnosis

North Carolina, the state where the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is located, has a 2-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases. This means you need to hire a lawyer quickly if you wish to receive financial compensation for the issues caused by toxic exposure.

What Does it Cost to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit in Ohio?

ohio camp lejeune veteran and gear

The Camp Lejeune lawyers at GB Law will not charge for services by the hour or any surprise fees. 

Our law firm works on a contingency fee basis, which means we will only charge if we either settle or win your case.

Contact Our Camp Lejeune Lawyers in Ohio

female veteran calls camp lejeune lawyers in ohio

If you are ready to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, don’t wait. Contact the Ohio Camp Lejeune lawyers at GB Law for a free case consultation. 


Sources:

  1. St. Lawrence County Government
  2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
  3. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  4. U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs
  5. Honoring Our PACT Act (sec. 804)
  6. Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021