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Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits

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Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyers

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Legal Help for Veterans, Families, and Civilian Workers Nationwide

Legal Help for Veterans, Families, and Civilian Workers Nationwide

If you or a loved one lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and later developed a serious illness, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit and recover financial compensation.

Thanks to the Honoring Our PACT Act and the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, you now have the legal right to sue the federal government for illnesses linked to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune—even if your VA claim was previously denied.

At Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro, our water contamination attorneys are helping veterans, military families, and workers pursue justice and secure the benefits they deserve.


What Happened to the Water at Camp Lejeune?

Between the 1950s and 1980s, two primary water treatment plants at Camp Lejeune, a U.S. Marine Corps base in North Carolina, were contaminated with dangerous chemicals.

These included:

  • Trichloroethylene (TCE) – a metal degreaser linked to kidney cancer

  • Perchloroethylene (PCE) – a dry-cleaning solvent linked to liver disease and cancer

  • Benzene – a known carcinogen associated with leukemia

  • Vinyl Chloride – linked to liver cancer and birth defects

These toxins infiltrated the base’s drinking water and were unknowingly consumed by service members, their spouses and children, and civilian workers.

Affected buildings included:

  • Military housing (e.g., Tarawa Terrace, Hadnot Point)

  • Hospitals and medical clinics

  • Schools and daycare centers

  • Recreational facilities

  • Administrative offices

For over 30 years, thousands were exposed to hazardous levels of these chemicals through the water at Camp Lejeune.


Diseases Linked to Lejeune Water Contamination

Medical research has linked Camp Lejeune water contamination to a wide range of life-threatening diseases and chronic conditions, including:

  • Kidney, bladder, liver, and breast cancers

  • Lung, prostate, and pancreatic cancers

  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and adult leukemia

  • Multiple myeloma

  • Aplastic anemia and myelodysplastic syndromes

  • Female infertility and miscarriage

  • Parkinson’s disease

  • Birth defects, neural tube defects, and developmental disorders

Veterans and their family members may have lived for years unaware that their serious illnesses were caused by chemical exposure from Lejeune’s drinking water.


What Is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act?

Signed into law as part of the PACT Act of 2022, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows victims of water contamination at Camp Lejeune to file claims in federal court—specifically the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Key features of the law:

  • Victims can sue the U.S. government, even if previously denied VA claims

  • No need to prove negligence—only exposure and a related illness

  • Allows family members and estates to file on behalf of deceased individuals

  • Applies to illnesses caused by toxic water at Camp Lejeune over three decades

This legislation represents a historic shift in veterans’ rights and environmental justice.


Contact Us Today for a FREE Consultation

If you or a loved one has experienced health complications due to Camp Legune water, don’t wait to seek legal help.

Contact Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro today for a FREE consultation.

Call (800) 675-8556 or contact us online to get started. 


Who Is Eligible to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

You may qualify to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit if you:

  • Lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 cumulative days or more between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987

  • Were exposed in utero during that period

  • Were later diagnosed with a linked disease or condition

  • Are the family member or estate representative of someone who died from a qualifying illness

This includes:

  • Veterans and active-duty military personnel

  • Military spouses and children

  • Civilian employees and contractors

  • Legal heirs and representatives

Even if you previously filed for VA disability benefits and were denied, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act gives you a new path to compensation through the civil court system.

PACT Act and the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Under the PACT Act, eligible victims can now file lawsuits in the Eastern District of North Carolina, regardless of previous VA denials. You may recover compensation for:

  • Medical bills
  • Pain and suffering
  • Lost wages and benefits
  • Disability-related costs
  • Funeral and burial expenses

What Compensation Can I Receive?

Camp Lejeune victims may be eligible for financial compensation to cover:

  • Medical treatment costs

  • Ongoing care and rehabilitation

  • Lost wages and future earning potential

  • Pain and suffering

  • Funeral expenses

  • Loss of companionship

  • Disability-related costs not covered by the VA

You can file a civil claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act in addition to receiving VA disability benefits. Our legal team can help you pursue both paths to recovery.


The Camp Lejeune Legal Process: Step-by-Step

Filing a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act involves several key steps:

  1. Administrative Filing
    Submit your initial claim to the Department of the Navy. This must be completed before filing a lawsuit.

  2. Waiting Period
    The Navy has six months to respond. If they deny or fail to respond, you gain the right to sue.

  3. Filing the Lawsuit
    Your attorney will file your Camp Lejeune lawsuit in federal court.

  4. Evidence Gathering
    This includes proof of service or residence, medical records, and linkage between illness and exposure.

  5. Settlement or Trial
    Many cases will settle, but our attorneys are ready to take your case to trial if necessary.


Important Legal Update (June 2025)

  • Over 410,000 administrative claims have been filed as of mid-2025

  • More than 3,000 Camp Lejeune lawsuits are pending in federal court

  • Bellwether trials are scheduled for late 2025 to help determine case values

  • The government has delayed key discovery, but courts are pushing forward

These test cases will shape the outcome and settlement values for future claims. Don’t wait to see how things unfold—protect your right to file now.


Why Time Is Critical

There is a limited window to file under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Although the filing period began in August 2022, many expect the statute of limitations to close in August 2024–2025, depending on interpretation and case developments.

If you delay, you may lose your right to seek justice.


Why Hire Salenger, Sack, Kimmel & Bavaro?

SSKB Law has over four decades of experience representing victims of toxic exposure and environmental harm. When you work with us:

  • You get a free, confidential case review

  • We investigate your exposure history and medical diagnosis

  • We help secure VA disability benefits and file your federal claim

  • We handle all legal filings and negotiations

  • You pay nothing unless we win your case

Our water contamination attorneys are here to help military families in New York and across the U.S. pursue justice and compensation.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is Camp Lejeune water still contaminated?
No. The contaminated wells were shut down in the late 1980s. However, exposure during the affected years can still lead to illness decades later.

Can I receive VA benefits and file a lawsuit?
Yes. You can pursue disability benefits through the VA and file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit under the Justice Act.

Do I need to have lived on base?
No. Anyone who spent 30 cumulative days or more on base—military or civilian—may qualify, even if they lived off base and worked at Camp Lejeune.

How much is a Camp Lejeune settlement worth?
Compensation depends on your illness, medical costs, and lost income. Bellwether trials will help determine average payout values.

What proof do I need?
Service records, medical diagnoses, and evidence of time spent at Camp Lejeune. We’ll help you collect everything you need.


Talk to a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Attorney Today

If you or a loved one were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and later developed a qualifying illness, don’t wait. We’ll help you explore your legal options, file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, and pursue maximum compensation for the harm you’ve endured.

📞 Call (800) 675-8556 or contact us online for a free consultation

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