Since World War II, Camp Pendleton has stood as a crucial training ground for the US Marine Corps and their families living on the base. However, exposure to alarmingly high levels of dangerous substances, known as PFAS or forever chemicals, within the site’s drinking water supply has raised serious health concerns.
PFAS chemicals have been linked with several harmful effects upon prolonged contact or ingestion, including an increased risk of cancers like kidney or testicular cancer, developmental issues in infants and children, and immune system disorders, along with a broad range of other health problems.
Keep reading to learn more about Camp Pendleton and the toxic drinking water, who may be eligible to file a lawsuit, and what you could be entitled to.
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Camp Pendleton Water Contamination Lawsuit Updates
Established as a Superfund site due to alarming levels of harmful substances present, the base has been undergoing cleanup by the Environmental Protection Agency for decades, but the challenges persist. [1]
For those who have lived or worked at Camp Pendleton and are now dealing with illnesses related to PFAS exposure or exposure to other toxic substances during their time on base, there may be the possibility to file toxic exposure claims to seek justice and compensation.
Speak with an experienced law firm to ensure you stay informed about potential eligibility and recent developments related to these Camp Pendleton contamination lawsuits and the legal process.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers stays up to date on both the latest litigation outcomes and scientific findings regarding exposure to toxic substances. If you have questions about the current status of litigation or need help filing a claim, don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Who Can File a Camp Pendleton Lawsuit?
Filing a lawsuit for issues related to water contamination at Camp Pendleton requires meeting certain criteria. Here is a general overview of eligibility:
- Current or former residents: Any individual who lived on Camp Pendleton, including service members and their families, may potentially be eligible if they’ve suffered health consequences due to PFAS exposure.
- Civilian employees: Workers who were employed at the base could also be entitled to file a lawsuit if they’ve been affected by water contamination.
- Duration of toxic exposure: Those considering filing must have an established period of exposure at Camp Pendleton, where they consumed or came into contact with the contaminated water.
- Diagnosed conditions: Service members, their families, or civilian employees who can demonstrate a diagnosis linked to known side effects of PFAS chemicals are likely to be eligible to seek compensation through legal action.
If you believe that your current medical conditions stem from PFAS exposure while at Camp Pendleton, legal assistance is crucial. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers is here to help.
Toxic Chemicals in Camp Pendleton Drinking Water
Camp Pendleton is a major United States Marine Corps base camp located on the southern California coast in San Diego County. Since its establishment in 1942, it has served as both home and workplace to countless Marine Corps personnel, their families, and civilian employees.
Unfortunately, those residing or working at Camp Pendleton did so without knowing that they were being exposed to dangerous chemicals, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
With these contaminants potentially causing serious health problems, it’s important to understand more about the chemicals found on this base and their effects.
PFAS are a group of man-made chemicals notorious for remaining in the human body and the environment for quite some time, sometimes referred to as “forever chemicals.” They have been used in a variety of industrial applications, including firefighting foams and at military bases.
Those exposed to PFAS and suffering from adverse health risks may be able to file a PFAS exposure lawsuit.
TCE is an industrial solvent often detected around military installations due to its extensive use for degreasing metal parts. Long-term toxic exposure can lead to significant health hazards, including various types of cancer.
This chemical is widely used in the manufacturing of other solvents and plastics. Like TCE, DCE can also cause adverse health effects upon significant exposure.
These represent a broad family of several hundred individual compounds derived from crude oil. They originate mainly from accidental releases, including leaks and spills often extending into military bases like Camp Pendleton, causing serious harm to active-duty military personnel and others who lived or worked on the base.
Military activities introduce numerous other hazardous substances into the environment, which can detrimentally impact the environment and, subsequently, the health of individuals exposed to them.
This category includes a wide array of contaminants such as heavy metals like lead or arsenic frequently found in military shooting ranges or legacy waste from previous military operations that persistently contaminate soil and waterways near bases. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were also located at the Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton.
If you and your family members or someone you know lived or worked at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and are now experiencing health conditions that could be related to toxic chemicals, you may be able to file a lawsuit, similar to the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits filed since the passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
Adverse Health Effects of Contaminated Drinking Water
Human health risks caused by contaminated drinking water can vary in severity and intensity depending on certain factors such as the type of contaminant, toxic exposure duration, and individual susceptibilities.
Some common toxic substance and PFAS chemical exposure symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- Stomach cramps or discomfort
- Skin irritation
- Birth defects and low birth weight
- Developmental delays
- Reduced immunity
According to the Veterans Affairs and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), PFAS exposure has been linked to various types of cancer, including [2]:
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Ovarian cancer
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Testicular cancer
Failure to protect drinking water and exposure to harmful chemicals like PFAs can have far-reaching and potentially life-threatening repercussions.
If you suspect your medical concerns stem from PFAS contamination at Camp Pendleton or Marine Corps base camp, it’s critical to explore your legal options promptly.
Seek the compensation you rightfully deserve
How to File a Camp Pendleton Water Contamination Lawsuit
Filing a lawsuit for PFAS contamination (or contamination from other toxic chemicals) at Camp Pendleton or any military base, like Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits, requires systematic and carefully considered action.
Here’s an outline of the necessary steps:
- Confirm eligibility: First, ensure you meet the criteria to file such actions—have you been exposed to these chemicals at a military base? A lawyer can help you make this determination as well.
- Gather evidence: This includes assembling medical records, expert testimony regarding the health impacts of toxic exposure, and historical information about water quality on the base. Any existing documentation that you were military personnel stationed at this location should also be gathered.
- Contact a lawyer: To assess your case’s viability, engage with an experienced attorney who specializes in military base water contamination lawsuits and navigating civil claims against government entities.
- File your claim: Once proper preparations have been made, file a formal lawsuit addressing all the legal grounds for your claim, including how you were affected by the water at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.
- Negotiation and mediation: Before reaching trial, you’ll work with your attorney during negotiations to try to reach a possible settlement with the defendant.
- Proceed to trial if necessary: If a fair settlement isn’t offered, your lawyer will represent you during trial proceedings. They’ll present evidence, including your medical records, and argue on your behalf before the court, aiming for adequate compensation through a judgment in your favor.
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Camp Pendleton Lawsuit Financial Compensation Evaluation
When it comes to evaluating financial compensation in Camp Pendleton lawsuits or any military base water contamination claims, precise averages of previously settled suits are difficult to determine.
Every case rests on a set of unique conditions, such as toxic exposure level and health consequences. Damages you may be entitled to include medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages if an illness has prevented you from working, as well as the emotional distress of dealing with prolonged medical conditions.
You may also be entitled to disability compensation and other disability benefits, which we can help you determine as well.
To thoroughly evaluate your right to financial compensation as part of a Camp Pendleton water contamination claim, seeking experienced legal counsel is essential to obtain appropriate relief. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers can help you determine what you may be able to recover.
If you suspect that you’ve been harmed by Camp Pendleton’s water woes, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. We understand how such exposure can upend lives, leading to tremendous emotional and financial burdens due to medical bills and the impact on your daily life.
Our firm operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case. With no upfront costs or out-of-pocket expenses for legal fees, you can be certain that we’re even more incentivized to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
Contact us to schedule a free consultation by reaching out online or calling (888) 424-5757.
