Camp Lejeune is a United States military base located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Established in 1941, it is the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast and the second largest in the United States. For decades, it was home to Marines, sailors, and their families. Unfortunately, the base has also faced some serious issues: the water supply was contaminated with a toxic mix of chemicals, leading to a major health crisis for those who drank or bathed in the water.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
The Camp Lejeune water contamination has been ongoing since 1943 when the first Marines were stationed at Camp Lejeune. The contamination was caused by a combination of factors including, but not limited to:
- Toxic chemicals dumped into water sources
- Poor maintenance of the water supply system
- Poor quality control for testing the water quality
- Poorly maintained equipment that was used to test the water quality
Lawsuits Involving Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
The process of filing a lawsuit for Camp LeJeune water contamination is a complex one. The first step is to identify a lawyer or law firm that is experienced in litigating cases related to environmental contamination and personal injury. The attorney should be knowledgeable about the legal issues and able to provide a thorough review of the facts surrounding the contamination.
Once the lawyer is identified, the next step is to assemble all relevant evidence, including documents such as water quality reports, medical records, and any other available evidence. This evidence must be presented to the court in a clear and concise manner.
Following this, the lawyer will prepare a legal complaint and file it with the court. The complaint will detail the facts of the case, the parties involved, and the legal theories that support the claim. The court may then hold a hearing to determine if a trial is necessary. If the case proceeds to trial, the court will hear the evidence and render a decision. Depending on the results of the trial, the court may award damages to the victims and their families.
You can hire a firm like Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers to help you with your Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.
History of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
The contamination on Camp Lejeune began in 1943 when the first Marine Corps training camp was established at Camp Lejeune. The Marines were stationed at Camp Lejeune until 1957 when the base was closed and the Marines were relocated to other bases in the United States. The Marines continued to use the water for showers and laundry until 1962 when it was determined that the water was contaminated with high levels of lead and other pollutants.
The Causes of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
In 1983, a study was conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) which showed that there were numerous problems with the Camp Lejeune water supply. The USACE determined that there were significant problems with the quality of the water supply, as well as other issues with the water treatment facility that included inadequate disinfection and lack of maintenance. It was also determined that there was a high level of contamination in the Camp Lejeune water supply that was caused by inadequate testing of the water quality.
Contaminants Found In The Camp Lejeune Water Supply
- Arsenic: Arsenic is a carcinogen that is found in drinking water in concentrations that are considered to be toxic to humans. Arsenic is present at very high levels in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. Arsenic is also known to cause cancer and other serious health conditions. Arsenic can be found in its natural forms, such as arsenic trioxide or arsenic nitrate, or it can be found in its oxidized forms, such as arsenic oxide or arsenic sulfide. Arsenic is also known as a metalloid or a chemical element, but it has no stable form on earth.
- Chlorine: Chlorine is also toxic to humans and can cause cancer if ingested at high concentrations. Chlorine is an element that occurs naturally on earth, but it can also be found in its chemical form, such as sodium chloride (NaCl).
- Fluoride: Fluoride is an ion that occurs naturally on earth, but it can also be found in its chemical form, such as fluorine (F). Fluoride is also known as an element symbolized by the atomic number 19.
- Lead: Lead is toxic to humans and can cause serious health problems if ingested at high concentrations.
If you are concerned about the water contamination at Camp Lejeune, you may want to speak with an attorney about your legal rights.