Ken Harrell, the managing partner of Joye Law Firm, recently appeared on WCIV ABC News 4 Lowcountry Live to discuss the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and the new legal rights available to people harmed by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
Between the 1950s and 1980s, millions of Marines, family members, and civilian workers at Camp Lejeune were exposed to drinking water contaminated with industrial chemicals. The toxic chemicals have been linked to numerous types of cancer, progressive neurological diseases, infertility, birth defects, and miscarriages.
A new law passed by Congress and signed by President Biden allows anyone who was at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987 and later diagnosed with a serious health condition to seek significant monetary compensation for the harm they suffered. Many veterans in South Carolina spent time at Camp Lejeune and later in life developed serious medical conditions.
Joye Law Firm offers a free screening to help you understand whether you or a loved one may be eligible to file a claim for compensation, under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. If so, our attorneys can help you pursue justice through a Camp Lejeune contaminated water lawsuit. Call us for a free case review.
What Caused the Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune?
Two underground wells used to supply drinking water at Camp Lejeune had high levels of certain industrial chemicals found in dry cleaning fluids and in industrial solvents used as degreasers for large machinery.
The improper disposal of chemicals by a dry cleaner located adjacent to Camp Lejeune accounted for a significant source of the contamination in wells supplying the Tarawa Terrace water system.
There were also leaks from underground fuel tanks and chemicals dumped on the base. The chemicals went through the sandy soil at Camp Lejeune and into the underground aquifers that supplied water to the water plants serving the base.
Contaminated water supplied by the Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point water treatment plants served enlisted family housing, offices, barracks for unmarried service members, schools, and the base hospital.
“In some cases, I’d say the water was basically poisoned because the chemicals were so dangerous and at such a high level,” Ken Harrell said in the WCIV Lowcounty Live interview.
What Types of Injuries Has the Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune Caused?
Ken Harrell said a whole host of health problems have been linked to the chemicals found in Camp Lejeune water. Anyone who spent time at Camp Lejeune and has developed any type of cancer should contact an attorney to review whether filing a Camp Lejeune claim is appropriate.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, exposure to the hazardous chemicals found in Camp Lejeune drinking water has been linked to numerous cancers and serious health conditions including:
- Adult Leukemia
- Bladder Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
- Stomach Cancer
- Multiple Myeloma and other Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Aplastic Anemia and other bone marrow conditions
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Renal Toxicity
- Neurobehavioral effects
Exposure to toxic chemicals also is associated with elevated rates of miscarriages, infertility, birth defects, and still-born babies.
“They had so many stillbirths at Camp Lejeune that they created a separate cemetery that they refer to as Baby Heaven,” Ken Harrell said. “That gives you some idea of how widespread this problem was.”
Were You Affected by This Contaminated Water? Why Is So Important To Have A Free Consultation With A Camp Lejeune Lawyer?
You may not have associated your medical condition or your loved one’s cancer diagnosis with having spent time at Camp Lejeune decades ago. But there may be a connection. In many cases, exposure to toxic chemicals causes disease later in life.
You may have incurred significant medical expenses and suffered pain and anguish as a result of your health condition or the loss of a loved one who developed cancer or another progressive disease.
To be eligible to seek compensation, a person must have been at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, for at least 30 days. The 30 days do not have to have been consecutive.
Ken Harrell said building a strong case for compensation will involve obtaining records showing military service, residency, or employment at Camp Lejeune and getting medical experts who can review your records and offer testimony that your health condition was in all probability caused by the toxic chemicals in the Camp Lejeune water.
The Camp Lejeune contaminated water claims process will involve submitting a claim to the Department of the Navy and may entail filing a lawsuit in federal court. The lawsuits will be individual lawsuits, not a class action lawsuit. The new law allows two years to file the lawsuits.
“It’s a very complicated process,” Harrell said. “First you have to go through the claim process with the Department of the Navy. You need to make sure you have all the right information when you file this claim with the Navy.”
It’s best to seek the help of a knowledgeable lawyer who understands the types of records needed to build a persuasive case.
Schedule A Free Case Review with a Camp Lejeune Lawyer
If you or a loved one was at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and you then developed any significant health problems, call Joye Law Firm for a free case review. It’s important to understand your rights and whether you are eligible to seek compensation through a Camp Lejeune contaminated water lawsuit.
Don’t delay seeking a case screening.
“It doesn’t cost you a dime to get your claim screened,” Ken Harrell said. “There is zero financial risk to you. You will not owe us a penny unless we are able to obtain a recovery for you.”
Joye Law Firm has been serving people in South Carolina for more than 50 years and has a long record of favorable case results. Our results show our experience handling complicated cases and the effort we make to achieve a positive outcome for our clients. Our Veteran Disability Attorneys are proud to help veterans and their families pursue justice.
Call us at 888-324-3100 for a free Camp Lejeune contaminated water case review.
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