Camp Lejeune Lawsuit - Toxic Water Contamination

Camp Lejeune Lawsuit is a United States Marine Corps base located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. For decades, the base contaminated its drinking water with various toxic chemicals, including trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), and benzene. This contamination led to a variety of health problems for Marines and their families who were stationed there, including cancer, birth defects, and other chronic illnesses.

In response to the contamination, the U.S. government passed the 2012 Camp Lejeune health care law, which provides healthcare to veterans and family members who were exposed to the contaminated water. However, the law does not provide compensation for any damages or losses suffered as a result of the contamination.

As a result, many people have filed Camp Lejeune lawsuits against the U.S. government and other responsible parties, seeking compensation for the health problems they have suffered as a result of the contamination. These lawsuits have been filed in both state and federal courts, and they have involved a wide range of legal claims, including personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage.

One of the most significant Camp Lejeune lawsuits was filed in 2012 by a group of veterans and their families who claimed that the U.S. government knew about the contamination for years but failed to take action to protect them. In 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the government was immune from lawsuits related to its discretionary decisions, including decisions related to Camp Lejeune’s water contamination. This ruling effectively ended the veterans’ lawsuit against the government.

However, other lawsuits related to the Camp Lejeune contamination have continued. For example, in 2017, a federal judge in South Carolina approved a settlement in a class-action lawsuit brought by veterans who were exposed to contaminated water. The settlement provided up to $2.2 billion in compensation for veterans and their families who suffered from certain illnesses, including leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Parkinson’s disease.

Overall, the Camp Lejeune contamination has had a significant impact on the lives of many veterans and their families. While some legal battles have been successful, others have faced significant challenges due to legal immunities and other factors. Despite these challenges, the fight for justice and compensation for those affected by the contamination continues.