A Deep Dive into Camp Lejeune Lawsuit and Payout Update in 2023
The Camp Lejeune water contamination is one of the worst cases of environmental disaster in US history. The United States Marine Corps has been sued by thousands of people who lived on the base during its water contamination crisis in the 20th century. In addition, nearly half a million marines were exposed to toxic chemicals and pollutants for an unknown period.
The main culprits behind this debacle were waste incinerators which spewed dangerous chemicals into the groundwater supply causing congenital disabilities, cancer, and chronic illnesses, among many other ailments. Here’s a deep dive into the Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
The Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Background
Camp Lejeune was a United States Marine Corps base located in North Carolina. It was used as a training camp for Marines, who would go there to prepare for deployment. The base continues to operate, but the military shut down the contaminated wells in February 1985.
Camp Lejeune has been controversial since 1985 when it was discovered that many people who lived near Camp Lejeune had been exposed to contaminated water from their wells or public water sources on the base.
What Was the Cause of the Chemical Exposure?
To understand the payout for Camp Lejeune Lawsuit, it’s essential to know what chemicals were in the water. The contamination was caused by industrial waste from a nearby chemical plant deposited into the groundwater. This contamination occurred from the 1950s until 1984, when officials finally permanently shut down operations at the facility.
The chemicals found in this toxic groundwater include benzene and trichloroethylene (TCE). The EPA classifies benzene as a known human carcinogen that can cause leukemia when ingested over long periods. TCE has been linked with congenital disabilities in children whose mothers were exposed during pregnancy.
How Did This Lawsuit Come About?
In 2012, a group of veterans filed a lawsuit against the government and the companies that supplied chemicals used at Camp Lejeune to treat water. The plaintiffs claimed they were sickened by contaminated drinking water at the camp.
The suit was filed in federal court in North Carolina. It sought $10 billion in damages for those who lived there between 1957 and 1987 when officials learned about high levels of toxic chemicals like benzene and trichloroethylene (TCE) in wells used for drinking water at the facility.
What Are the Individual Payments for Those Impacted by Their Time at Camp Lejeune?
Individual payments for those exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune are based on the level of exposure, which is determined by several factors, including length of service and rank. The Marine Corps has also acknowledged that some individuals may have been more highly exposed than others because they worked in specific areas at certain times.
Additionally, there are two types of contamination – trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE). TCE was present in drinking water between 1953 and 1987, while PCE was present from 1975 until 1987.
Each type has its associated health risks, so those who served during these time frames need not worry about getting lumped into one category or another. The VA will consider all relevant information when determining how much money you should receive from your claim payout.
What Is the Camp Lejeune Payout Update in 2023?
Camp Lejeune is the site of a major water contamination scandal, which began in 1953 and continued until at least 1987. Chemicals caused the contamination from an industrial waste landfill used as an open dump for decades after it was installed on base land.
According to recent reports, there are as many as 500,000 CLJA claims. The amount they could receive varies depending on how much they drank contaminated water while living at Camp Lejeune during those years.
The Update on a Camp Lejeune Cancer Lawsuit Payout
The Camp Lejeune cancer lawsuit payout is still ongoing. The case is expected to be settled in 2023, though it could take longer if the number of people eligible for compensation is higher than expected.
Many people have been affected by their time at Camp Lejeune and have developed severe illnesses due to this exposure. Understandably, they are eager for compensation from the government to pay for medical bills and other expenses related to their health issues.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit represents one of the largest environmental cases in US history. Thousands of veterans and family members have filed claims against the US government for illnesses they believe were caused by exposure to toxic chemicals at Camp Lejeune. If you are one of them, there is hope for compensation.