Illinois Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Injury Attorneys

How to Receive Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Benefits in Illinois?

Camp Lejeune, which is located outside of Jacksonville, North Carolina, is a Marine Corps base and military training facility that has been used for over 80 years. During this time, tens of thousands of military service members and their families have lived on or near the base. Unfortunately, it was discovered that for decades, the water at Camp Lejeune had been contaminated with toxic chemicals. Exposure to these substances put many people at risk of suffering serious health issues and life-long disabilities. For years, many veterans and their families have struggled to address these problems, but fortunately, a recently-passed law may allow them to receive financial compensation for their injuries.

If you lived on or near Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, and you have experienced illnesses or other health problems that may have been caused by contaminated water, you may be able to file a lawsuit and seek compensation. At Schwartz Injury Law, we can review your case and help you determine your options. With our experience representing clients who have been injured by toxic substances and other issues, we can make sure you will be able to take the correct steps to receive the compensation you deserve.

Injuries Caused by Contaminated Water

Health Issues That May Qualify Victims for Compensation

In the early 1980s, it was discovered that the water-supply systems at Camp Lejeune had been contaminated with toxic chemicals. The primary source of these chemicals was a dry cleaning business located near the base that had not properly disposed of toxic substances. Multiple harmful chemicals had been released into the water supply for years, and the problem was not fully corrected until several years after it was discovered. Because of this, people on or near the base were exposed to contaminated water for decades.

The substances that led to water contamination are known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and they have been associated with multiple types of serious health issues. People exposed to these chemicals may have experienced an increased risk of multiple forms of cancer, including bladder, kidney, and liver cancer, as well as leukemia and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Other conditions associated with these chemicals include neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, immune system disorders, and birth defects.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022

Pursuing Compensation for Injuries Associated With Water Contamination

For years, people who had been exposed to toxic chemicals while serving at or living near Camp Lejeune have struggled to address the injuries and health issues they have suffered. While some veterans have been able to receive disability benefits, qualifying for these benefits has not always been easy. Fortunately, the passage of a new law may provide more people with the opportunity to receive compensation for their injuries.

Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, veterans or members of their families who were exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune may pursue civil lawsuits and seek compensation for the damages they have suffered. To be eligible for compensation, a person must have lived at or near Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. Victims may pursue compensation for any health issues that were directly caused by exposure to contaminated water, as well as illnesses or conditions that have been linked to the toxic chemicals present in the water at Camp Lejeune during this time.