Camp Lejeune Attorneys

Am I Eligible to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

You may have grounds to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit if you or someone you love were:

• A servicemember, military family member, government contractor, or civilian who worked or lived at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987;
• Exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days, including in utero and non-consecutive exposure; and
• Diagnosed with cancer or another adverse health condition.

Determining your eligibility is a critical first step in the fight for justice, but it can be challenging, especially for individuals and families who are currently dealing with diagnoses and poor health. At Schackow & Mercadante, our attorneys can assist with evaluating your eligibility and obtaining the necessary evidence to show that you qualify.

What Are the Claims in Camp Lejeune Lawsuits?

Plaintiffs filing Camp Lejeune lawsuits allege that they developed cancers and other conditions because they were exposed to contaminated water at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

These claims are supported by the Marine Corps’ 1982 discovery that drinking water supplied on base was contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemicals that are often man-made and toxic to humans. VOCs found in Camp Lejeune’s water included:

• Benzene
• Vinyl chloride
• PCE (perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene)
• TCE (trichloroethylene)
• Trans-1,2-DCE (t-1,2-dichloroethylene)

According to the CDC, researchers have traced these VOCs to multiple contamination sources, including leaks in underground tanks, industrial spills, and a nearby dry cleaner’s improper disposal of chemical waste.

Cancers & Conditions Connected to Camp Lejeune Contaminants

Over the course of decades, medical experts have connected exposure to the VOCs found in Camp Lejeune drinking water to increased risks of certain cancers and health conditions. Some of these include:

• Lung, esophageal, cervical, and breast cancer
• Kidney, bladder, and liver cancer
• Blood cancers (leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and multiple myeloma)
• Kidney disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Scleroderma
• Reproductive complications (birth defects, fetal death, and miscarriage)

How Much Compensation Will Camp Lejeune Victims Recover?

Civil lawsuits like those in the Camp Lejeune litigation allow victims to recover various damages connected to their injuries – including losses that are not available through the VA or workers’ compensation system. If you qualify, you may be entitled to a financial recovery for your:

• Pain and suffering
• Grief, anguish, and emotional injuries
• Lost income and lost future earnings
• Past and future medical bills
• Other economic and non-economic losses connected to your injuries

Settlement value depends on the facts of each individual case, so the best way to assess the potential value of your claim is to have it reviewed personally by a lawyer. 

Our Camp Lejeune toxic exposure attorneys can help you understand the damages to which you may be entitled after reviewing your case. And because damages awarded in lawsuits brought under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act are subject to offsets of any benefits awarded through the VA, Medicare, or Medicaid, we can also evaluate how any benefits you’ve already received might impact a final award. 

FREE Consultation with a Camp Lejeune Attorney: (352) 261-6767

Schackow & Mercadante is an experienced law firm with a passion for fighting on behalf of veterans, victims, and families who’ve suffered through no fault of their own. If you or someone you love were harmed by exposure to Camp Lejeune water, we want to help you in the fight for justice.

Our attorneys serve Camp Lejeune victims across Gainesville, the state of Florida, and the U.S. We charge no fees up front and only collect a fee if we win. To request a consultation, call (352) 261-6767 or contact us online.