Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyers

A Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer at Coplan + Crane can help you pursue compensation for a serious illness that resulted from exposure to toxic chemicals in the drinking water at the North Carolina U.S. Marine Corps base. If you or a family member served, lived, or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 to 1987, you may be eligible for damages related to your physical, financial, and emotional losses.

Coplan + Crane is uniquely qualified to handle these difficult and complex cases. We have built a reputation for excellence in cases involving personal injury, medical malpractice, and more. Our seasoned attorneys understand both the medicine and the law involved in these claims, and we are committed to helping you obtain the full and fair compensation to which you may be entitled.

Contact us online or at (708) 358-8080 today. You risk nothing by calling our office. Your initial consultation is completely FREE and you are under no obligation to move forward with our firm. We handle Camp Lejeune water contamination claims on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing if we don’t win. We help clients in Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, and other areas in Illinois. We also serve clients nationwide.

Our results speak for themselves.

You Have Limited Time To File a Claim

Camp Lejeune lawsuits must be filed no later than August 10, 2024. Two years is not a lot of time to take legal action, so it is crucial to discuss your situation with a Camp Lejeune water contamination attorney right away.

camp lejeune water contamination lawyer

Who Is Eligible for Compensation?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 provides much-needed relief for those who were exposed to toxic water at the U.S. Marine Corps base. Signed into law as part of the Honoring our PACT Act, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows individuals who lived or worked on the base between 1953 and 1987 to file claims in federal court for health conditions linked to water contamination.

You may be entitled to damages if you were a:

  • Service member who was stationed at Camp Lejeune
  • Civilian employee or contractor who worked at the base
  • Family member of a veteran or employee who resided on the base
  • Child exposed to water contamination in utero

If you believe you suffered toxic exposure from contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, contact Coplan + Crane today. Our experienced attorneys have the knowledge, skill, and resources necessary to handle these difficult cases.

Do I Have a Claim?

In order for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit to be viable, several conditions must be met. These include:

  • You lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987
  • For a minimum of 30 days, you were exposed to contaminated drinking water “that was supplied by, or on behalf of, the United States”
  • Exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune caused you to suffer harm

It is important to understand that a lawsuit under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is completely separate from the VA disability benefits for medical conditions linked with water contamination at Camp Lejeune. In addition to receiving benefits through the VA, you can also file a lawsuit for damages.

In the most tragic cases, victims of toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune lost their lives before they could achieve justice. If you lost a family member because of the toxic water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, burial costs, lost benefits, and more in a wrongful death claim. While no financial award can compensate for the immeasurable loss of someone dear, damages in a wrongful death lawsuit can help your family remain financially stable during a difficult time.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyer

What Illnesses Are Linked To Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune?

The drinking water supply at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with toxic chemicals for more than 30 years. These chemicals included tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, benzene, and vinyl chloride. Often found in cleaning solvents, prolonged exposure to these toxic chemicals has been associated with an increased risk of cancer and other serious health concerns.

Cancers Linked to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

  • Brain Cancer
  • Lung Cancer
  • Breast Cancer
  • Thyroid Cancer
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Liver Cancer
  • Kidney Cancer
  • Esophageal Cancer
  • Bladder Cancer
  • Colorectal Cancer
  • Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
  • Multiple Myeloma
  • Adult Leukemia

Reproductive Issues and Birth Injuries Associated with Toxic Exposure at Camp Lejeune

  • Infertility in Women
  • Miscarriages
  • Childhood Cancers
  • Cardiac Birth Defects
  • Microcephaly
  • Low Birth Weight
  • Conjoined Twins
  • Congenital Malformations
  • Cognitive Impairments
  • Cleft Lip and Palate
  • Fetal death

Other Health Conditions Linked To Toxic Chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s Water Supply

  • Heart Disease
  • Autoimmune Diseases
  • Parkinson’s Disease
  • Systemic Sclerosis/Scleroderma
  • Neurological Deficits
  • Myelodysplastic (MDL) Syndromes
  • Kidney Disease and Kidney Damage
  • Fatty Liver Disease (Hepatic Steatosis)
  • Aplastic Anemia

These lists are not exhaustive. If you lived and/or worked at Camp Lejeune during the specified time period and were later diagnosed with cancer, a neurological condition, a bone marrow disease, or another concern, you may have a viable claim for damages.

Potential Compensation In a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

Cancer and other illnesses can have a major impact on your life. The loss of a child or other loved one – even if it was decades ago – can cause you and your family immeasurable pain.

The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers at Coplan + Crane can fight for the justice you deserve. Depending on the details of your situation, you may be entitled to recover damages for your:

  • Medical expenses
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Disability
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of society and companionship
  • Out-of-pocket expenses

No two cases are the same. If you or a family member developed cancer or another serious health issue after being exposed to toxic chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s drinking water, it is crucial to contact an experienced attorney immediately.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyer

Filing a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

In order to file a successful claim, you must meet five key requirements:

1. You Were Exposed to Contaminated Water at the Base Between 1953 and 1987

To recover damages, you must prove that you (or a family member) were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 for a time period of at least 30 days.

Our attorneys can help you prove this through:

  • Military Records: Our lawyers can help you get copies of your discharge certificate, Record of Separation (DD Form 214), and other necessary documentation.
  • Employment Records: Civilian personnel records and tax returns can demonstrate that you worked at Camp Lejeune and prove the dates you were employed at the base.
  • Residence Records: Public and military records can establish that you and your family resided at the base during the specified window of time between 1953 and 1987.

2. You Suffered an Illness Linked to Water Contamination

Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, you must prove the connection between toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune and the illness you and/or your family suffered.

It is important to keep in mind that the illnesses and health conditions listed above do not necessarily cover every health condition that may be associated with water contamination at the North Carolina base. If you have been diagnosed with a medical concern that is not included in the lists above, you may still be eligible for compensation. 

A Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer can help you acquire the relevant medical records needed to support your claim. During your free initial consultation, we will listen to your story, explain your rights, and discuss your legal options.

3. You Must Meet the Burden of Proof

You cannot recover compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 by simply filing a claim. You must meet the burden of proof. This means that you are required to “… produce evidence showing that the relationship between exposure to the water at Camp Lejeune and the harm is—

  • (A) Sufficient to conclude that a causal relationship exists; or
  • (B) Sufficient to conclude that a causal relationship is at least as likely as not.

Proving a water contamination claim is not easy. If you are considering filing a lawsuit, it is in your best interest to speak with an attorney with considerable knowledge in these matters. The attorneys at Coplan + Crane have a proven record of success handling even the most complex cases. We can help you acquire the evidence you need to present a compelling claim.

4. You Must File in the Appropriate Court

Claims associated with the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 must be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

If you qualify for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, the attorneys at Coplan + Crane can ensure your claim is filed correctly with the appropriate court.

5. You Must File in Time

To obtain the justice and compensation you deserve, you must act quickly. You only have until August 10, 2024.

Contact a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyer Today

Coplan + Crane represents people who have been injured or lost relatives through no fault of their own.

Our team of experienced attorneys is committed to helping our clients move forward after an injury caused by another’s negligence or wrongdoing.

See what our clients say about us.

Don’t postpone justice another day. Call (708) 358-8080 now or complete the form on this page to speak with a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer for free. We welcome clients from Chicago, Oak Park, Rockford, and other areas throughout Illinois.