The wait continues for Camp Lejeune veterans and their families seeking settlements for exposure to toxic water at the North Carolina Marine Corps base. Despite close to 100,000 claims filed with the Navy, settlements have yet to be paid out, with fewer than one-fifth of the claims processed thus far.
Key Points:
Extent of Exposure: Nearly 1 million individuals who lived and worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water due to on-base leaks, spills, and mishandling of chemicals by off-base businesses.
Legislative Action: President Joe Biden signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act into law in August 2022, enabling legal action against the federal government for those affected by the contamination.
Health Implications: Exposure to the tainted water has been linked to various serious health issues, including liver cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, and male breast cancer.
Claims Processing: The Navy has initiated the processing of approximately 17,000 out of over 93,000 claims received under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Efforts to expedite the process include additional staff and new IT solutions.
Legal Framework: A leadership team of seven lawyers representing plaintiffs has been appointed by federal judges in North Carolina to handle civil cases related to Camp Lejeune. This team will pursue trials and propose settlement amounts for specific medical conditions resulting from exposure to the toxic water.
Government Response: U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has urged the Navy to address the delays in Camp Lejeune lawsuits, calling for faster resolution processes.
Health Studies: Research indicates a strong correlation between Camp Lejeune service and Parkinson’s disease, with veterans stationed there between 1975 and 1985 being 70% more likely to be diagnosed with the condition compared to their counterparts elsewhere in the country.
Victims’ Advocacy: Former Marine Eddie Peterson, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2001, emphasizes the need for accountability, labeling the situation a “crime against humanity” and advocating for justice for those who suffered due to the contamination.
The continued pursuit of settlements, alongside legislative and judicial actions, underscores the ongoing efforts to address the repercussions of the Camp Lejeune water contamination and provide relief to affected veterans and their families.
