Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims

December 4, 2013 Last Updated on September 18, 2017

Important Information: Camp Lejeune MDL Dismissed in 2016

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are no longer reviewing potential claims for this case. Please keep in mind, however, that although the lawsuits were dismissed, the saga is far from over for veterans and their family members affected by contaminated groundwater at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Read on to learn more.

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At A Glance

What’s going on?
We’ve received a multitude of messages from readers who wanted to know more about the litigation surrounding Camp Lejeune. Even though a federal judge dismissed all Camp Lejeune lawsuits—which in 2011 were consolidated into multidistrict litigation—in 2016, Congressional action four years prior opened the door for possibly hundreds of thousands of individuals exposed to the base’s contaminated water to get help and treatment.
Why were the lawsuits dismissed?
In 2016, U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash dismissed the Camp Lejeune MDL after ruling that North Carolina’s 10-year statute of repose—which is sort of like a statute of limitations (the window you must file a lawsuit in before being barred) —did, in fact, apply to plaintiffs’ claims of latent illnesses caused by the contaminated water.
What does that ruling mean, exactly?
Because the earliest injury claims were made by plaintiffs in 1999, and the contamination mystery at the base was essentially figured out by 1987, Judge Thrash said no exception exists that would trump the time limit set by North Carolina law.
So, you’re saying there’s no lawsuit I can join?
Correct.
I served at Camp Lejeune. What are my options?
In early 2017, The Department of Veterans released its finalized rule providing former veterans, reservists, National Guard members and their surviving spouses with access to more than $2 billion in disability benefits. With the VA’s rule came a list of eight illnesses for which the department says sufficient enough medical evidence exists to be connected to Camp Lejeune’s tainted groundwater. You can apply for the VA’s Camp Lejeune benefits here.
What else do I need to know?
We’ve put together a full round up of the Camp Lejeune situation over on our blog.

Note: The below content was written and posted back when attorneys working with ClassAction.org were actively looking to speak with individuals who lived on or near Camp Lejeune. As the litigation is now over, the below information is for reference only.

From the 1950s through the 1980s, veterans and family members who served on active duty or resided at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina may have been exposed to drinking water that was contaminated with benzene and other hazardous chemicals. Some evidence has indicated a link between the water contamination and the development of certain conditions, including several types of cancer. On Aug. 6, 2012, a new law was signed to provide medical care for veterans and family members who may have been affected.

If you or a loved one served on active duty or resided at Camp Lejeune between Jan. 1, 1953 and Dec. 31, 1987 and developed any of the following conditions, you may have legal recourse:

  • Esophageal cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Bladder cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Renal toxicity
  • Leukemia
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Neurobehavioral effects
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Hepatic steatosis
  • Scleroderma
  • Miscarriage
  • Female infertility

What Compensation is the VA Providing?

Under the new law, veterans and family members are only entitled to medical care through the VA for the 15 medical conditions listed above. This new law applies only to health benefits and not disability compensation; however, veterans and family members who suspect they developed a health condition related to the contaminated drinking water are still eligible to submit a claim to the VA for disability benefits.

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