Camp Lejeune Water Crisis
34 Years of Contamination and the Fight for Justice
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Camp Lejeune
A Marine Corps base in North Carolina. Home to thousands of military families for decades.
Between 1953 and 1987, something was wrong with the water. This is the story of what happened, who knew, and when they knew it.
Key Context
Camp Lejeune operated as a major Marine Corps training facility, housing tens of thousands of military families in base housing.
The base provided all utilities, including drinking water, to residents
Water quality testing was not standard practice at military installations during the 1950s and 1960s.
Environmental regulations were minimal compared to today's standards
Multiple industrial activities occurred on and around the base, including vehicle maintenance and fuel storage.
These operations would later become central to understanding the contamination
Military families expect their government to protect them. When that trust is broken, the consequences can last generations.
Continue reading below
America's Largest Military Water Contamination
From 1953 to 1987, over one million people were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune
Camp Lejeune served as home to thousands of Marines and their families for decades. Between 1953 and 1987, the base's water supply was contaminated with toxic chemicals, creating one of the largest environmental health crises in U.S. military history.
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The Contamination Begins
In 1953, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) began seeping into Camp Lejeune's water supply from multiple sources including an off-base dry cleaner, on-base vehicle maintenance areas, and underground fuel storage tanks.
A Million People Exposed
Over three decades, more than one million Marines, their families, and civilian workers drank, cooked with, and bathed in contaminated water. The scale of exposure was unprecedented in U.S. military history.
Deadly Chemicals at Extreme Levels
The water contained trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride. PCE levels reached 215 μg/L - that's 43 times the EPA's maximum safe level.
Discovery and Response
The Marine Corps identified the contamination in the early 1980s. Due to various factors including limited environmental regulations at the time, some contaminated wells continued operating until 1987.
A Generation of Suffering
Families drank, cooked with, and bathed in poisoned water for decades. Pregnant women unknowingly exposed their unborn children. Marines trained and lived in toxic conditions daily.
The Human Cost
The contamination has been linked to 15 different cancers, Parkinson's disease, birth defects, and numerous other serious health conditions. Many victims have already died waiting for justice.
Timeline of Events
Contamination Begins
Toxic chemicals start seeping into Camp Lejeune's water supply
Discovery & Cover-Up
Marine Corps discovers contamination but delays action
Wells Finally Closed
Contaminated wells shut down after 34 years of operation
Janey Ensminger Act
Congress provides healthcare for some victims
Camp Lejeune Justice Act
Congress finally allows victims to seek compensation
The Fight Continues
408,000 claims filed, trials beginning
Contamination Begins
Toxic chemicals start seeping into Camp Lejeune's water supply
Discovery & Cover-Up
Marine Corps discovers contamination but delays action
Wells Finally Closed
Contaminated wells shut down after 34 years of operation
Janey Ensminger Act
Congress provides healthcare for some victims
Camp Lejeune Justice Act
Congress finally allows victims to seek compensation
The Fight Continues
408,000 claims filed, trials beginning
Confirmed Health Effects
Increased cancer risks documented by CDC studies
Marines & Navy Personnel
Civilian Workers
Birth Defects & Pregnancy Outcomes
They poisoned us. They knew about it. And they covered it up. We drank that water. We bathed our babies in it. Now we're dying from it.
The Settlement Reality
$22 billion allocated by Congress, but most victims still waiting
The Legal Battle: Justice vs. Bureaucracy
The Case For Plaintiffs
Three powerful arguments supporting the victims
Scientific Evidence:
Water was 43x more toxic than safe levels
Dozens of peer-reviewed studies conclusively link Camp Lejeune water contamination to cancer, birth defects, and other serious illnesses. The contamination levels were up to 43 times the safe limit.
Evidence: CDC, ATSDR, and National Academy of Sciences studies confirm causation
Government Negligence:
Marines knew for 7 years but kept wells running
Documents prove the Marine Corps discovered contamination in the early 1980s but continued using poisoned wells until 1987. They failed to notify residents, violating their duty of care.
Evidence: Internal Marine Corps documents and EPA Superfund designation
Congressional Recognition:
Allocated $22 billion, admitting responsibility
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, explicitly creating a path to compensation. Congress allocated $22 billion, acknowledging the government's responsibility.
Evidence: Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 and Congressional appropriations
The Defense Arguments
Three key challenges to the plaintiffs' case
Causation Challenges:
Hard to prove water caused specific cancers decades later
The DOJ argues proving direct causation between water exposure and specific illnesses decades later is difficult. Many conditions have multiple potential causes.
Counter: Government motions emphasizing burden of proof requirements
Administrative Burden:
408,000 claims need individual review to prevent fraud
With 408,000 claims, the government argues individual case review is necessary to prevent fraud and ensure only legitimate claims are paid.
Counter: Only 153,006 claims have supporting documentation
Precedent Concerns:
Fears lawsuits from 126 other contaminated military bases
The government fears setting precedents for other environmental contamination cases at military bases nationwide, potentially opening floodgates to massive liability.
Counter: Similar contamination at 126 other military installations
The Balance of Arguments
Plaintiffs' Strengths
Scientific Evidence: Water was 43x more toxic than safe levels
Government Negligence: Marines knew for 7 years but kept wells running
Congressional Recognition: Allocated $22 billion, admitting responsibility
Defense Challenges
Causation Challenges: Hard to prove water caused specific cancers decades later
Administrative Burden: 408,000 claims need individual review to prevent fraud
Precedent Concerns: Fears lawsuits from 126 other contaminated military bases
With overwhelming scientific evidence and Congressional recognition of responsibility, the government's delay tactics appear designed to outlast elderly and dying veterans rather than provide the justice Congress intended.
Military Service & Exposure
Service members and families unknowingly lived on base during contamination period
years of documented water contamination (1953-1987)
The Path Forward
With Congressional recognition through the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, victims now have a path to compensation. Success requires thorough documentation of service records and medical history to establish residency and health impacts.
Document Everything
Service records, medical history, and proof of residency at Camp Lejeune are crucial for your case
Medical Evidence
Comprehensive medical records linking conditions to toxic exposure strengthen your claim
Legal Representation
Experienced attorneys working to secure fair compensation for victims and their families
Aging Claimant Population
Most claimants are elderly veterans with time-sensitive health conditions
average age of Camp Lejeune claimants filing for compensation
Help Camp Lejeune Victims Get Justice
If you're representing Camp Lejeune victims, comprehensive medical documentation is crucial for securing fair compensation. Let us help you find the evidence.
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