Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlement Amounts

As a lawyer and a victim of the Camp Lejeune water contamination, I have spent months researching the incident and dealing with settlements.

The total estimate for compensations made in the Camp Lejeune case could be as high as $6.7 billion because of the large number of lawsuits filed by affected individuals.

Schmidt & Clark has a team of experts available to help you with your Camp Lejeune lawsuit and receive compensation for your suffering.

Quick Summary

• The Camp Lejeune settlement amount is individual for every case and is based on the nature of the illness they have contracted.
• To file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, you must fulfill certain criteria and provide sufficient evidence to show that your illness resulted from exposure to the toxic water.
• TCE and PCE are the main chemicals behind the water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
• There is no known date yet for the settlement of the Camp Lejeune lawsuit. However, this may be anywhere from 2025 onwards.

History of TCE and PCE and Why They Were Recalled

Research strongly suggests that tetrachloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) were the chemicals responsible for the water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

According to the report, these chemicals were cleaning agents used for machinery dumped into drains, infiltrating the water wells around the camp and making the water highly unfit for drinking [1].

The Marine Corps stated in the 1980s that they weren’t aware chemicals such as these two were not allowed to be deposited into the drains within the area. 

However, the Department of Navy Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (DNBMS) refuted their claim, stating that the chemicals were regulated and were not allowed into any surrounding water in the area.

After the incident, various scientists tested the water to confirm it was toxic. Once this was established and they made the information public, the chemicals had to be recalled, and they shut the contaminated wells down.

The Motives Behind Their Recall

The main reason for the recall of TCE and PCE was the dangers they posed and the series of illnesses and diseases contracted by various individuals who had drunk the contaminated water.

Some of these illnesses and diseases include cancer of the lungs, kidney, bladder, and breast; auto-immune deficiency; neurological effects; and much more.

Also, considering that affected individuals were beginning to file lawsuits and seek compensation, it only made sense to recall them and close the affected areas.

Related Article: Illnesses Caused by Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Common Health Problems Caused by Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Research strongly suggests that the Camp Lejeune water contamination caused health problems in people who drank the water or inhaled the chemicals.

However, different diseases or illnesses may arise depending on the individual and the level of exposure to the contaminated water.

Below are some common health problems that affected individuals face:

Damage to internal organs

The contaminated water at Camp Lejeune causes renal toxicity, multiple myeloma, hepatic steatosis, and scleroderma.

These conditions can produce varying results within the internal organs, making them difficult to diagnose.

Infertility

The toxic water at Camp Lejeune can cause infertility, making it difficult for people to conceive children.

If you served at Camp Lejeune and are struggling with infertility, you may want to schedule a consultation with expert lawyers to determine whether you qualify for a settlement.

Neurological Challenges

Suppose you were in contact with the polluted Camp Lejeune water supply; chances are you may be experiencing some neurological issues such as dementia, amnesia, fatigue, and post-traumatic stress disorder, among others.

These problems are usually the first warning signs you may experience upon contact, and they can be dangerous if not handled early enough.

The Camp Lejeune Families Act allows you to seek compensation if you or your family members suffer from any of these conditions.

Related Article: Camp Lejeune Neurobehavioral Effects Claim

Camp Lejeune Cancers With the Strongest Links to Contaminated Water

Research strongly suggests that the contaminated water present at Camp Lejeune is directly responsible for the development of several forms of cancer in individuals who were victims of the incident [2].

These types of diseases include:

Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer affects the bladder by causing a tumor to grow around it, leading to blood in the urine, frequent urination, or other symptoms such as back pain.

If you were exposed to the polluted water at Camp Lejeune, you are at risk of contracting bladder cancer. Consult an attorney to determine your options if this occurs.

Related: Camp Lejeune Bladder Cancer Suit

Breast Cancer

This disease affects one or both breasts; in some cases, breast removal surgery would have to be done to eliminate the disease. Breast cancer can easily develop in Camp Lejeune incident victims exposed to TCE and PCE.

Common symptoms of this disease include breast pain, white fluid from the breast, swollen skin or a lump on or around the breasts, and so on.

Read Also: Camp Lejeune Breast Cancer Lawsuit

Kidney Cancer

Kidney cancer which affects both kidneys is caused by chemical exposure in the Camp Lejeune water.

Common symptoms of renal cancer include low appetite, back pain, fatigue, weight loss, fever, etc.

Related Article: Capm Lejeune Kidney Cancer Lawsuit

Liver Cancer

This disease affects cells in the liver, and in most cases, this type of cancer spreads from other areas within the body system to the liver rather than from it.

Vinyl chloride and TCE are two toxic substances present in the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune that are responsible for causing liver cancer in individuals exposed to them.

Blood Cancer

Blood cancer corrupts the blood cells and infects the bone marrow, causing you to experience several symptoms, such as a bleeding nose, pale skin, joint pain, fever, swollen nodes, etc.

If you are one of the Camp Lejeune victims with blood cancer, you may need to undergo chemotherapy or radiation for viable treatment.

Prostate Cancer

The hazardous chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water are the leading cause of prostate cancer in affected individuals. 

The disease affects the prostate, and you may develop warning signs during the latter stages, such as infected semen, erectile dysfunction, weight loss, etc.

Prostate cancer victims can qualify for some compensation amounts with the help of an excellent attorney.

Read More: Camp Lejeune Prostate Cancer Lawsuit

Health Conditions That Are Eligible for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

Numerous health conditions are eligible for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit as long as verifiable evidence is provided to support the claim.

They include the following:

• Kidney cancer
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Cardiac defects
• Bladder cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• End-stage renal disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Scleroderma
• Breast cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Female infertility
• Hepatic steatosis
• Lung cancer
• Miscarriage
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Neurobehavioral effects

When Will the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Be Settled?

We expect that the Camp Lejeune litigation will be settled around 2025. It has been about four months since the litigation began, and the U.S. government is still working on the Camp Lejeune lawsuits, which are expected to run at least until 2024.

This means you can only file a compensation claim from now until that period, after which there will be no claims.

How to File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim

You need to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit to get financial compensation for the diseases you may have contracted due to your exposure to the toxic water.

To do this, you will have to show evidence that you were actually among the Camp Lejeune residents at the time of the incident, show proof of any illness or disease you may be suffering from, and then file a disability claim.

If, after filing a disability claim, you get negative feedback, get an excellent lawyer to help you file a lawsuit and ensure that you get the justice that you deserve.

See all related toxic tort lawsuits our lawyers have covered.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlement Amounts

The Camp Lejeune settlement amounts vary depending on the severity of the illness involved. 

For example, if you are suffering from any form of cancer due to polluted water, you may be eligible for figures as high as $1 million. In contrast, less severe illnesses such as anemia may see you receive $200,000 or less.

These are mere estimates, however, and are by no means the exact Camp Lejeune settlements. 

Cancer and other similar illnesses are taken more seriously and receive higher Camp Lejeune settlement payouts than less severe illnesses caused by toxic water served for decades.

“Veterans need to make sure they’re well informed before they make any decisions about getting involved with these lawsuits, because it could actually cost them money. The last thing we want is for our veterans to see a reduction in their benefits.”
– Shane Liermann, Deputy National Legislative Director at Disabled American Veterans

FAQs

1. How Much Is the Camp Lejeune Settlement per Person?

The Camp Lejeune settlement per person is based on the nature of illness contracted from exposure to contaminated water. This could be as low as $25,000 or as high as $1 million.

Read Also: VA Benefits Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

2. What Chemicals Were Found in the Camp Lejeune Water?

The chemicals that were in the water at Camp Lejeune include trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride (VC), and benzene. These chemicals were responsible for the contaminated water supply, making it highly unfit for drinking.

3. How Long Do I Have to File a Camp Lejeune Claim?

You have until August 2024 to file a Camp Lejeune claim as set by the 2022 Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which was signed into motion by President Biden on August 10, 2022. After this period, there will be no Camp Lejeune claims.

4. Do I Need an Attorney for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

Yes, you need an attorney for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit. A good attorney will help you explore your options to see if you are eligible to file a lawsuit and the compensation you can expect to get.

Conclusion

Get a free camp Lejeune lawsuit evaluation with our lawyers at Schmidt & Clark, LLP by contacting us at (866) 588-0600 across all 50 states.

Our toxic TORT litigation group is an experienced team of attorneys who can help represent you in court and ensure you get compensated for your troubles.

We believe the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune was not your fault and you have a right to seek compensation and get compensation for your suffering.

References:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25009942/
2. https://jmedicalcasereports.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13256-022-03501-9