Camp Lejeune Resource Center

Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was approved by Congress to be constructed on April 5, 1941, on an 11,000-acre tract of land in Jacksonville, NC. Situated on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean, the base was the perfect location for amphibious assault training. The close proximity to several deep water ports also allowed for quick deployment. As the base was constructed, Camp Lejeune grew into six satellite facilities, and so did the need for resources on the base. From the time of construction in 1941, several wells were dug to provide safe drinking, cooking, and cleaning water for the servicemembers and families stationed at the base, so they thought.

Between 1953 and 1987, servicemembers, military families, and civilian employees stationed at Camp Lejeune consumed poisoned drinking water. Camp Lejeune water toxin levels were 240 to 3600 times more toxic than the levels permitted by environmental safety and reasonable consumption standards. The toxic water contamination is linked to several of the base wells including Tarawa Terrace, Hadnot Point, and Holcomb Boulevard.

The primary toxins polluting the drinking water were VOC’s (volatile organic compounds). The poisoned water is attributed primarily to dry-cleaning solvents, degreasers, jet fuel, and chemicals used on heavy machinery. As a result of Camp Lejeune water testing, we know that over 70 toxins have been recorded in Camp Lejeune drinking water, containing some of the most toxic and harmful know to mankind including:

• • • Benzene– an organic compound found in industrial chemicals. Extended exposure has been linked to cancer, and more notably acute myeloid leukemia (AML)
    • Tetrachloroethylene/Perchloroethylene (PCE or PERC)– an industrial chemical used in a variety of applications including dry cleaning fabrics and degreasing heavy machinery
    • Trichloroethylene (TCE)– a chemical used as a degreaser on heavy machinery. It has been linked to cancers, lymphoma, and cardiac issues.
    • Vinyl Chloride– a colorless gas used in the production of plastics. Heavy exposure has been linked to myeloma and a variety of cancers.

In 1980, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enacted new regulations that required water testing at Camp Lejeune.  The EPA’s initial reports and testing illustrated heavily contaminated and toxic drinking water. In response to this report, the Marine Corps contracted a private company to monitor and test the quality of Camp Lejeune’s drinking water. The contractor’s testing resulted in high levels of contaminated water. The toxic water report was provided to Camp Lejeune officials in 1982. The Marine Corps ignored the toxic water reports and military families continued to drink contaminated water without knowing the truth. In 1983, Camp Lejeune officials reported to the EPA that there were no toxic environmental issues at Camp Lejeune. Subsequently, North Carolina agencies requested copies of the water testing, and Marine Corps officials declined to share the reports.

In 1984, an EPA superfund contractor conducted a review of Camp Lejeune’s water supply. The contractor’s review resulted in a finding of contaminated drinking water including dangerous levels of Benzene and other VOCs. As a result of this damaging revelation, the Marine Corps stopped using one of the contaminated wells. In 1989, the EPA officially declared Camp Lejeune and an off-site dry cleaning facility as superfund sites.

The Honoring Our Pact Act of 2022 will finally provide justice for military families and civilian families poisoned by Camp Lejeune’s toxic water. If enacted into law, toxic water victims who served, lived, or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 (must have drank water for a cumulative 30 days) may be eligible for compensation including:

• • • Veterans (including those who have died from cancers or other illnesses)
    • Marines (including those who have died from cancers or other illnesses)
    • Sailors (including those who have died from cancers or other illnesses)
    • Coast Guard (including those who have died from cancers or other illnesses)
    • Spouses (including ex-spouses and those who have died from cancers or other illnesses)
    • Children (including late-term miscarriages, children in utero, and childhood deaths from cancers or other illnesses)
    • Civilians (including those who have died from cancers or other illnesses)

Pursuant to the Honoring Our PACT Act, any claims for toxic water compensation must be submitted to the United States Navy. The Navy will have 6 months to review and adjudicate claims. Camp Lejeune toxic water victims with unresolved claims after six months may be eligible to file a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. The lawsuit is directly related to the Camp Lejeune claim for compensation for illnesses and diseases presumptively connected to toxic water consumption.

Once signed into law, it is important to act fast. When filing a claim or lawsuit, time is of the essence. The Honoring Out Pact Act permits eligible Camp Lejeune toxic water victims to file claims within two (2) years of being enacted into law. Any Camp Lejeune toxic water victim that does not file a claim within two years may be barred forever. Again, you must first file your Camp Lejeune compensation claim with the United States Navy. If denied, you may be able to bring a lawsuit against the United States government for compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. We will review your case and determine if you are eligible for compensation.

Qualifications

• • • Drank toxic water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 combined days between 1953 and 1987.

Eligible Medical Conditions

• • • See a list of eligible medical conditions above.
    • If your medical condition is not on this list, you may be eligible for compensation.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 was passed by the US House in March 2022 and then by the Senate in June 2022 as part of the Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022. Once the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is enacted into law,  Camp Lejeune toxic water victims may be eligible to bring claims for wrongful death, illnesses, diseases, birth defects, and other issues resulting from toxic water from Camp Lejeune. 

As with the Honoring Our PACT Act, claimants must show that they drank toxic water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 combined days between 1953 and 1987 and that they or a family member suffered an injury, illness, or disease as a result of toxic water exposure.

If the Navy denies your Camp Lejeune claim for compensation, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the federal government in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Toxic Water Victim Damages

Camp Lejeune toxic water victims may qualify for various compensation related to their injuries, illnesses, cancers, diseases, female infertility, wrongful death, etc.  Damages may include:

• • • Past and future medical expenses
    • Lost wages
    • Loss of earning capacity
    • Out-of-pocket expenses
    • Loss of consortium
    • Pain and suffering
    • Emotional distress
    • Disability
    • Loss of society and companionship
    • Permanent illness, disease, or injury

IMPORTANT: If you were previously granted health or disability benefits from the VA for health conditions related to service at Camp Lejeune, your compensation may be reduced by any previous benefits awarded.

Eligibility & Evidence

• • • Drank toxic water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 combined days between 1953 and 1987.

Camp Lejeune toxic water victims will be required to provide evidence relating to their time at Camp Lejeune which may include:

• • • Documents proving residence at Camp Lejeune
    • Military service records indicating dates and locations served
    • Medical records and diagnoses
    • Medical bills
    • Travel records
    • Health care information
    • Records on disability benefits or VA compensation benefits

Passed by Congress in 2012, the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act qualified certain veterans and their families for medical benefits due to their exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. If you meet the qualifications and conditions to receive benefits, you may be entitled to reimbursements for out-of-pocket health care expenses.

Camp Lejeune Disability Benefit Coverage Area from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Qualifications

To qualify for medical benefits provided by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), veterans are required to have served on active duty at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987. Additionally, veterans must qualify by meeting one of the eligible medical conditions listed below.

Eligible Medical Conditions

• • • Breast Cancer
    • Esophageal Cancer
    • Bladder Cancer
    • Lung Cancer
    • Kidney Cancer
    • Leukemia
    • Female Infertility & Miscarriage
    • Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
    • Multiple Myeloma
    • Hepatic Steatosis
    • Myelodysplastic syndromes
    • Neurobehavioral Effects
    • Renal Toxicity
    • Scleroderma

How to File for VA Medical Benefits

To receive medical benefits from the VA for treatment of illnesses from Camp Lejeune water exposure, veterans or families need to fill out VA Form 10-10068: Camp Lejeune Family Member Program Application. Additionally, they will be required to submit documentation showing their eligibility including:

• • • Provide proof that you lived at the base for at least 30 consecutive days between 1953 and 1987.
    • Complete VA Form 10-10068b: Camp Lejeune Family Member Program Treating Physician Report. This report must be completed by your physician.
    • A marriage license or birth certificate showing you were the dependent of a veteran stationed at the base
    • Proof of payment of medical expenses for one of the qualifying conditions above

If the VA has denied your disability claim related to Camp Lejeune’s toxic water, you may soon be able to file a claim for compensation. Contact our VA Accredited Attorney for help and guidance.  

General

Camp Lejeune