U.S. Government Argues for Specific Causation in Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits

The U.S. government recently argued in response to plaintiffs’ motion for partial summary judgment that each individual plaintiff in Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits should be required to establish specific causation for their injuries. Government attorneys claim that not requiring plaintiffs to prove specific causation could potentially lead to compensation for injuries that may not have resulted from the Camp Lejeune water contamination. If you or someone you love developed cancer, Parkinson’s disease, or another serious health issue following exposure to the contaminated water supply at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, contact Consumer Safety Watch today for help.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Issue

Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps training base located in North Carolina, was the site of a severe water contamination issue between 1953 and 1987. The water supply at Camp Lejeune was found to be contaminated with toxic chemicals, including trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride (VC), and benzene. These contaminants have been linked to various health issues, including cancer, Parkinson’s disease, birth defects, cardiac defects, and other serious injuries.

The contamination affected not only military service members stationed at Camp Lejeune but also their families and civilian employees who lived and worked on the base. Thousands of individuals were exposed to the contaminated water during this period, leading to a major health crisis.

Legal Claims and Compensation for Camp Lejeune Illnesses

In response to the water contamination issue at Camp Lejeune, many individuals have pursued legal claims against the U.S. government. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, passed by Congress, was intended to provide speedy and fair compensation for those who were stationed at the base for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and suffered harm as a result of the contaminated water.

However, the U.S. government is now arguing that plaintiffs should be required to establish specific causation for their injuries. They believe that not requiring specific causation could potentially result in compensation for injuries that may not have been caused by exposure to the toxic chemicals in the Camp Lejeune water supply.

Understanding Specific Causation

Establishing specific causation is a crucial aspect of personal injury lawsuits, including those related to the Camp Lejeune water contamination. It requires plaintiffs to provide evidence linking their injuries directly to the exposure to the contaminated water. This evidence can include medical records, scientific studies, military service records, and base housing records. 

Initially, it was suggested that the new Camp Lejeune law would simply require claimants to show that they were exposed to the water on the base during the contamination period, with the government presuming that any resulting injuries were a direct result of this exposure due to the challenges in proving exposure to specific contaminants over time. 

However, attorneys for the government now argue that this would potentially allow plaintiffs to recover damages for injuries unrelated to the contaminated water. Plaintiffs maintain that requiring each plaintiff to establish specific causation for their individual injuries would drag out the litigation process and is contrary to the original intentions of the U.S. legislature, President Biden, and the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

Linking Health Conditions to Camp Lejeune Water

Exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune has been scientifically and medically linked to a variety of serious and potentially life-threatening health conditions. Some of the most commonly associated conditions include:

Cancer

Exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has been linked to an increased risk of several types of cancer, including aplastic anemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, lung cancer, bladder cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, leukemia, and prostate cancer.

Parkinson’s Disease

Studies have shown a potential link between exposure to the contaminants in the Camp Lejeune water supply and the development of Parkinson’s disease. Individuals who were exposed to the contaminated water may have a higher risk of developing this neurodegenerative disorder.

Birth Defects

Prolonged exposure to the toxic chemicals in the water supply has also been associated with an increased risk of birth defects in children born to individuals who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune during the contamination period. These birth defects can range from cardiac defects to congenital disabilities.

Other Health Issues

Long-term exposure to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water supply has also been associated with a range of other health issues, including myelodysplastic syndrome, hepatic steatosis, female infertility, miscarriage, renal toxicity scleroderma, neurobehavioral effects, and more.

Gathering Evidence in Camp Lejeune Injury Claims

Filing a successful Camp Lejeune injury claim requires careful documentation and gathering of evidence. To establish eligibility under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, individuals must provide proof that they served, lived, or worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, for at least a month.

Medical records, reports, and diagnoses related to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune are essential pieces of evidence. These documents should reflect any contact with possible contamination sources and help establish a connection between the exposure to the contaminated water and the resulting health impacts.

Retrieving accurate and comprehensive records is crucial to proving eligibility under the act. Working with an experienced attorney can greatly assist in collecting and organizing the necessary evidence for a Camp Lejeune injury claim.

Find Out How Consumer Safety Watch Can Help

The U.S. government’s argument for requiring specific causation in Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits could have a significant impact on individuals pursuing compensation for injuries related to toxic exposure on the base. If you have been diagnosed with a condition linked to Camp Lejeune’s tainted water, contact Consumer Safety Watch today to discuss the possibility of filing a claim and ensure that your rights are protected. Remember, time is of the essence, as the filing window for Camp Lejeune water contamination claims closes in August 2024.