After 40 years of contamination, the U.S. military finally
acknowledged that the water at Camp Lejeune was toxic. But questions remain:
How many people have been affected? Who is responsible for this tragedy? And
what will be done to help out those who’ve already suffered from Camp Lejeune’s
contaminated water supply?
In this article, we will try to find answers to all such
questions by exploring the recent information on Camp Lejeune lawsuits.
Historical Background
Established in 1941, Camp Lejeune is a Marine Corps base. The
base was used as a training facility during World War II, the Korean War, and
the Vietnam War.
● World War II: Camp Lejeune was established in 1941, shortly
before the United States entered World War II. It was named in honor of
Lieutenant General John A. Lejeune, the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps.
During World War II, the base served as a training and deployment center for
Marine units preparing for combat in the Pacific theater.
● Post-World War II: After World War II, Camp Lejeune became a
permanent Marine Corps installation. It continued to serve as a major training
facility and a hub for Marine operations.
● Korean War: Camp Lejeune played a vital role in the deployment
and training of Marine units sent to the Korean Peninsula.
● Vietnam War: Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, Camp Lejeune
was instrumental in training and deploying Marines for the Vietnam War.
● Cold War era: During the Cold War, the base served as a critical
part of the U.S. military's strategy, as it housed various Marine units,
including the II Marine Expeditionary Force.
The Victims and Their Struggles
The Camp Lejeune water supply was intoxicated with numerous
chemicals. Tetrachloroethylene (or PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene
hexachloride (BHC), and vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) are some of the
contaminants found in the water.
PCE has been detected in 77% of blood samples, taken from the
general population. The reason is that it is the most commonly used solvent in
textile processing, dry cleaning, and metal degreasing. Hence, it was found in
large quantities in the water supply at Camp Lejeune.
The victims of the water contamination are in their struggles.
Many have suffered from health problems caused by exposure to the contaminants
of Camp Lejeune’s water supply. Some of the health concerns associated with
contaminated water are cancer, developmental defects, and other serious health
issues.
Hence, anyone who has suffered from any health issues after
staying at Camp Lejeune can file a lawsuit. However, the plaintiff must have
stayed for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987. If the
plaintiff wins the case, he or she can expect some part of the Camp Lejeune settlement
amounts as compensation.
The Pursuit of Justice
The pursuit of justice is not an easy one. It can be a long,
arduous process. For Camp Lejeune victims and their families, it has been even
more difficult because the government and military have been slow to respond.
The victims have had to be persistent and determined to see the justice they
deserve.
The legal process may seem overwhelming at times, but you don't
have to go through it alone. If you or someone you love has been affected by
this contaminated water crisis, contact a lawyer. An attorney will have the
right knowledge and skills to guide you throughout the lawsuit.
Moreover, the lawyer can also advocate on your behalf and be
your legal representative. This can release the stress on your head, as you
will have someone who can take care of things for you.
Compensation and Resolution
As stated on TorHoerman Law’s website, the settlement amount for
each case has not been decided yet. However, the Congressional Budget Office
(CBO) has estimated a budget for these claims. Under the Honoring Our PACT Act,
the budget is estimated to be around $6.7 billion. However, since there are
many plaintiffs in this case, you might get anywhere around $40,000 to $500,000
based on various factors.
There are still thousands of veterans who have not received any
compensation for what they went through. Nearly 100,000 claims have been filed
with the Navy. However, they have only taken action on a fifth of the cases. The Navy has not paid any
settlements yet.
Opposition and Challenges
The fight for justice is not over. Veterans and their families
have been fighting for decades to get the government to recognize the effects
of water contamination at Camp Lejeune. However, the process has been slow
going.
Several studies have shown a link between cancer and exposure to
toxic chemicals in drinking water at Camp Lejeune. However, the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) only recently began providing disability benefits to
those who were stationed there during that period.
By January 2023, the VA reportedly received 102,265 disability claims connected to exposure
to cancer-linked compounds at the camp. However, most of these cases are still
pending. In addition, many veterans are still suffering from illnesses related
to this contamination. In fact, some may never recover from them due to health
complications or death.
Thankfully, things have changed recently, and the claims are on
a fast track. That’s because the court has given the Navy a six-month window to
respond to all claims received. If the Navy fails to do so, the individual can
file a lawsuit. Hence, the Navy has been trying to respond to all claims within
six months, which has increased the speed of hearing.
Lessons Learned
Here are some of the lessons learned from the Camp Lejeune
lawsuits:
● Health risks: One of the most significant lessons is the
importance of monitoring and addressing potential health risks associated with
environmental contamination promptly. The exposure to toxic chemicals resulted
in a wide range of health problems, including cancer, birth defects, and other
chronic illnesses. It highlighted the need for rigorous monitoring and timely
responses to protect public health.
● Government accountability: The Camp Lejeune lawsuits shed light
on issues of accountability within government agencies. The U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) were criticized for
their handling of the situation. The criticism was for delays in acknowledging
the contamination and providing adequate healthcare and support to affected
military personnel and their families.
● Compensation and healthcare: The lawsuits emphasized the
importance of providing compensation and healthcare services to those affected
by environmental contamination. Victims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination
received settlements and compensation, which helped them cover medical expenses
and other related costs.
● Awareness and advocacy: The lawsuits brought significant
attention to the broader issue of water contamination on military bases and its
potential health hazards. Advocacy groups and individuals affected by the
contamination played a crucial role in raising awareness and pushing for
accountability and action.
● Public health monitoring: The Camp Lejeune case underscores the
importance of ongoing monitoring of public health in communities surrounding
military installations. Regular testing of drinking water supplies and prompt
reporting of contamination incidents are essential to prevent long-term health
consequences.
● Cooperation and transparency: Cooperation between government
agencies, military branches, and local communities is vital in addressing
environmental contamination effectively. Transparency in communication and
sharing information with affected individuals and communities is crucial in
building trust and ensuring timely responses.
● Long-term consequences: The lawsuits at Camp Lejeune highlighted
the long-term consequences of environmental contamination. Many of those
affected continue to deal with health issues and require ongoing medical care
and support.
Conclusion
We can see that there are many important lessons to be learned
from Camp Lejeune. It is a tragic story of negligence and mismanagement by the
government. It has left thousands of people with lifelong health problems.
However, it is also a story of courage and perseverance in the face of
adversity by those who suffered from this contamination.
