Since the Camp Lejeune water contamination first took place in the 1950’s, and up through the 1980’s, the close to 1 million residents who lived on the base have had to deal with serious consequences. Not only have they suffered in terms of their health, but it has also been a struggle to gain recognition and evidence in order to support their hardships.
Residents of Camp Lejeune might be eligible for compensation due to the severe water contamination, even now almost 40 years later. In this blog post, we delve into the severity of the health crisis caused by the toxic water, shed light on the legal rights of those affected, and explore how mass tort lawsuits can play a pivotal role in seeking justice, accountability, and compensation for the victims.
Understanding the Impact
The Camp Lejeune water contamination is now known to potentially having had a devastating impact on the health of thousands of individuals, including veterans, their families, and civilian employees. The CDC reported this back in 2014, and since then various studies and expert witnesses have backed this up.
The toxic chemicals present in the water supply have been linked to a wide range of health issues, including various cancers, birth defects, neurological disorders, and autoimmune diseases. By shedding light on the extent of the health crisis, victims can seek compensation, raise public awareness and advocate for improved procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Since the incident, there have been a number of various health related issues and conditions linked directly or indirectly to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune.
A wide list of cancers have been found to be caused by the water, including kidney cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, stomach cancer, as well as leukemia, brain tumors and more.
At the same time, there has also been a range of other negative effects, such as increased chances of Parkinson’s disease, cardiac issues, scleroderma, fatty liver syndrome and more.
Legal Rights for Victims
Residents who lived on the base, or in other ways came into contact with the toxic water of Camp Lejeune have the right to seek compensation for the physical, emotional, and financial damages they have suffered as a result.
These forms of compensation can be in order to cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs, but there is also the right to accountability that factors in. This relates to holding those responsible for keeping silent about the situation accountable.
In the case of Camp Lejeune, victims have claimed that some parts of the management were aware of the potential dangers of the contaminated water, and were negligent in their actions to improve the water quality, or even warn the residents at the camp. These rights can in some cases extend to government agencies, private companies, and individuals involved in the maintenance and management of the water supply.
How Mass Tort Lawsuits can Obtain Justice and Accountability
Mass tort lawsuits have proven to be a powerful tool in seeking justice and accountability for victims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination. Joining forces with other victims through a mass tort increases the collective strength and enhances the chances of success.
If you or your loved ones have been affected by the Camp Lejeune water contamination, consider contacting Shamis & Gentile, P.A. today, for a free case evaluation.
