WHEELING – The poisoning of the drinking water at Camp Lejeune started in the 1950s. Specific volatile organic compounds up to 280 times the safe exposure limit were present in the water. Four of these VOCs are widely known carcinogens: Benzene, Trichloroethylene, Tetrachloroethylene and Vinyl Chloride.
As many as one million military and civilian staff and their families may have been exposed to the drinking water. Most affected were Marines, but anyone who spent 30 days or more could be affected.
The Veterans’ Administration confirms at least 15 diseases are caused by consuming toxic water:
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- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility
- Hepatic steatosis
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 is a bipartisan bill that was passed by Congress on June 16. The Senate made some small changes, and after another vote in the House, it is expected to be signed by President Biden on or before July 1. If signed, it will become a federal law to provide a monetary remedy to residents of Camp Lejeune during the years from 1953 to 1987. This includes all military, civilians and their families.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act ensures justice by authorizing stand-alone civil lawsuits (not VA claims) to be filed on behalf of those Camp Lejeune residents poisoned by the contaminated water. Once it is signed into law, it will create a limited two-year window for anyone who qualifies to file their claims and potentially receive reparations from the federal government.
To qualify for the reparations, you must:
- Have worked or lived at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more, not required to be continuous, during the years 1953 to 1987.
- Have an illness or disease. The disease does need to be on the list as more are being connected to the contaminated water.
Toriseva Law is one of many firms nationally who represent Marines, civilians and their families who need help in these situations. The act specifically envisions a remedy only through a court case. This is not a mass tort action or a class action lawsuit. You must file your own lawsuit.
Camp Lejeune Veterans and their families: seek legal advice – your country owes you.
Toriseva is the founder and managing partner of Toriseva Law in Wheeling.