Rhode Island Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Attorney

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyer in Rhode Island and Massachusetts

Were you or a loved one in the Camp Lejeune area between 1953 and 1987?

On August 10, 2022, the President enacted a new law that gives military veterans and others around Camp Lejeune the right to claim monetary compensation for harm caused by water contamination. The Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act seeks to provide justice for harms caused by toxic water.

Here at Bottaro Law, we are proud to be reviewing and accepting these cases in support of our veterans and their families throughout our Rhode Island and Massachusetts communities. If you or your loved ones (the law extends to anyone on the base) were potentially affected and entitled to monetary compensation, you need to know two things:

You need a trusted, local firm to help you navigate the federal court system;
You need a powerful legal team to maximize your chances for an efficient outcome.

Act Now – Get Your Claims Processed Faster – 24/7 Local Service

The PACT Act can help those in our Rhode Island and Massachusetts communities in several ways. The law permits those harmed by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to file claims against the federal government seeking compensation.

For these Camp LeJeune water contamination lawyers, getting your claim up and running is important to you and therefore to us. As your local law firm, here at Bottaro Law we are staffed to provide 24/7 service in whatever format you find convenient. Our goal is to answer your questions and efficiently ensure that your claim is set up and ready for success! Text or Call or reach out to us online now for a free and confidential claim review.

What Happened With The Toxic Water Contamination At Camp Lejeune?

In 1942, the government established U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. In the following years, it appears that Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was one of the worst water contaminant sites in history.

According to reports, there may have been dumping of oil and industrial wastewater from the base into nearby storm drains. Some also indicate that radioactive materials may have been buried on site, including the bodies of animals used in government testing. As early as the 1970s, the Environmental Protection Agency labeled Camp Lejeune as a “major polluter.” Years of improper chemical disposals, spills, and leaks from underground storage tanks on the base created the perfect storm. Groundwater became contaminated, and as a result, military members and their families were exposed to dangerous water contamination for years.

Toxic Water: How Were Rhode Island and Massachusetts Veterans And Their Families Potentially Harmed?

Testing of the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune found a variety of chemicals and industrial solvents. These chemicals include:

Trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene are known as volatile organic compounds. VOCs are artificial industrial solvents used primarily in dry cleaning and manufacturing. Benzene is a chemical found in gasoline and other materials. It is used heavily in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Which Types of Cancer Are Linked to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?

Many of the chemicals and solvents found in the water at Camp Lejeune are categorized as known carcinogens by the American Cancer Society and the World Health Organization. A carcinogen is a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue. These agents have been known to interact with DNA, producing potentially harmful mutations. These mutations can begin a pattern of rapid and uncontrolled growth, resulting in cancer.

The types of cancer that have been linked to Camp Lejeune’s water contamination include:

Bladder cancer
Breast cancer
Kidney cancer
Lung cancer
Esophageal cancer
Liver cancer
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Leukemia

Many of these cancers can be aggressive and require extensive medical treatment. Treating these diseases not only takes a mental and physical toll on a person but a financial toll as well. If you were at Camp Lejeune and eventually developed cancer, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses.

Which Types of Cancer Are Linked to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?

Could You Have Been Exposed to Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?

If you were stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 – or if you lived there as part of a military family or worked there as a civilian employee – you might have been exposed to dangerous water contamination. Water contamination was a significant issue at Camp Lejeune for decades, exposing residents, servicemembers, and their families to harmful contamination.

What Are the Effects of the Camp Lejeune Contamination?

If you were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you might have experienced acute symptoms of chemical exposure. Acute symptoms are short-term effects or illnesses, in this case, due to a hazardous substance.

If you were at the base between the 1950s and 1980s, you might have experienced the ill effects of water contamination. However, at the time, many people did not understand the origins of their symptoms. The short-term health effects associated with the chemicals found at Camp Lejeune can include:

Nausea
Dizziness
Vomiting
Headaches
Confusion
Tremors

Over time, the long-term consequences of exposure to water contamination can result in significant medical conditions and illnesses. Some of the long-term effects of chemical exposure at Camp Lejeune may include:

Cancer
Blood disorders
Infertility
Miscarriage
Renal toxicity
Parkinson’s disease
Dementia
Scleroderma
Neurological conditions

These illnesses can have a catastrophic impact on a person’s life, robbing an individual of their health, financial stability, and potentially, time with their family and friends.

Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuits for Rhode Island and Massachusetts Residents

For years, our local lawyers have supported our military families while fighting for the injured. You get a caring, fierce advocate on your side when you call or text us 24/7 here in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

PACT measure also increases critical health care and disability benefits to veterans and their families impacted by water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

If you are a Rhode Island or Massachusetts resident and served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 consecutive days between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible for meaningful compensation. Our Camp Lejeune water contamination attorney can review the circumstances of your claim and help identify which legal avenue might provide you with the best possible chance at recovering compensation for your medical expenses.

Who Qualifies for Presumptive Compensation for Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is allowing eligible service members to apply for disability benefits which will cover the cost of medical treatment and out-of-pocket costs. To file a claim with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, you must meet all the agency’s requirements, including:

You must have served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 consecutive days anywhere between August 1953 through December 1987.
You must not have received a dishonorable discharge from service.
You must have a diagnosis of one or more presumptive conditions:
- Leukemia
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes

These benefits will cover veterans, reservists, and guardsmen. In some cases, these benefits may apply to family members impacted by water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

To file a claim, eligible service members must submit a disability benefits application with the VA. Applications are available online. You will also need to provide medical evidence of your diagnosis to substantiate your claim.

Gathering the required information and building a compelling claim can be complicated and time-consuming, especially when you are feeling the effects of a significant illness. Our experienced attorneys can help.

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How Can We Help? Get The Bottaro Lawyers On Your Side For The Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Claims

At Bottaro Law, we believe at the very least that veterans and their families deserve meaningful compensation that will cover their medical expenses.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer or another significant illness and believe exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is to blame, contact our Rhode Island and Massachusetts legal team right now so we can start your claim.