Toxic Tap Water Lawsuit

U.S. Marines, civilians, and their families who lived at the North Carolina military base Camp Lejeune from 1957 to 1987 were described as "poisoned patriots" at a congressional hearing in June 2007, after studies showed they were exposed to toxic levels of chemicals in their drinking water. The " toxic tap water " lawsuits initiated by at least 850 former residents of Camp Lejeune seek nearly $4 billion in damages wrought by the residents' exposure to industrial chemicals.

To learn more about filing a toxic tap water lawsuit, please contact us today.

Toxins in the Water

The chemicals that seeped into the water used for drinking and bathing at the base were PCE (tetrachloroethylene), a dry cleaning agent that has been linked to cancers, and TCE (trichloroethylene), a degreasing solvent. Levels of PCE in the camp's drinking water were measured at up to 200 micrograms per liter. The Environmental Protection Agency allowable limit of PCE in drinking water is 5 micrograms per liter or less.

The contamination at Camp Lejeune lasted for 30 years, until the affected wells were closed. Meanwhile, the Marines and their families drank the water during military assignments on the base that averaged two years.

Lawsuits Cite Birth Defects, Cancer, Deaths

The Camp Lejeune lawsuits seek compensation for birth defects , illnesses, and deaths that the plaintiffs contend were brought on by levels of solvents in the tap water at levels more than 40 times higher than safety standards. The birth defects and illnesses among the children of Camp Lejeune residents include spina bifida, leukemia, cleft palate, and aplastic anemia. Many adult residents have also been afflicted with cancer .

According to the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), as many as one million people were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune — a figure that is much higher than previous estimates. During the 30-year exposure period, about 75,000 people lived in a Camp Lejeune neighborhood called Tarawa Terrace, the epicenter of the toxic exposure. More Camp Lejeune lawsuits are expected as people hear about the new findings. The ATSDR recently posted a website on which Marines can register and find out more about their exposure to the toxins.

Consult a Toxins Lawsuit Attorney

If you or your loved one has suffered ill health effects because of exposure to PCE and TCE at Camp Lejeune, contact an experienced attorney to discuss filing a toxic tap water lawsuit — you may be eligible for monetary compensation.

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