On April 6th, both attorneys and advocates spoke at the first status court hearing for a lawsuit involving the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
Lawsuits have been filed by a group of former and current residents of Camp Lejeune who were exposed to chemicals such as: trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and benzene, which were sadly within the base’s water supply.
The contaminants are known to cause cancer, birth defects, and various other serious health problems.
During the hearing, attorneys brought forth a strong emphasis on the urgency of these cases, as well as the need for justice for the plaintiffs, many of whom have suffered for years from illnesses which can be linked to their exposure to toxic chemicals.
During the hearing, Judge James C. Dever III expressed that his primary concern regarding these Camp Lejeune lawsuits was expediting cases towards a fair resolution, noting that due to exceptional volume, these cases could unfortunately take several decades to resolve if a protocol were not established now.
Moreover, attorneys also made light of the importance behind holding the government accountable for the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, and, ensuring that the proper measures are taken to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Attorneys also spoke with Judge Dever about the fact that no Camp Lejeune-based lawsuits have been properly resolved through the current administrative process within the Department of the Navy.
Upon hearing this information, Judge Dever was less than pleased – chiding the government, asking to have them work together with the Department of the Navy to help manufacture a plan.
To his credit, Judge Devers was both quite empathetic and sympathetic to the Camp Lejeune victims and their families, showing a particular interest in determining the exposure sustained by each victim, where they were living, what they were doing, and during what period their exposure occurred.
The status court hearing marks an important milestone in the long legal battle over the contamination of Camp Lejeune water. While plaintiffs have a long road ahead of them, this hearing represents a step forward in their quest for justice and accountability.
It also highlights the importance of holding the government accountable for the health and well-being of its citizens, particularly those who have served their country and sacrificed so much in the process.
Advocates Address Press, Public
Outside the courtroom, a group of advocates spoke to the gathered press and public.
One advocate who spoke outside of the courtroom was Mike Partain.
Partain, a former resident of Camp Lejeune, was born at the base and later developed breast cancer.
Partain has been quite a vocal advocate for the plaintiffs and has worked to raise awareness about the contamination at Camp Lejeune and its impact on the health of those who lived and worked there.
In his statement to the court, Partain spoke about the emotional toll that the water contamination had on both the plaintiffs and their families, saying:
“We have suffered greatly as a result of the contamination at Camp Lejeune,” he said. “We have lost loved ones, we have battled cancer and other illnesses, and we have endured years of uncertainty and fear. We deserve justice and accountability, and we will not stop fighting until we get it.”
In Conclusion
The Camp Lejeune contamination claims are a sobering reminder of the potential dangers of toxic chemicals and the devastating impact they can have on human health.
Marcari, Russotto, Spencer & Balaban would like to take this time to remind Veterans and their families that while we are aggressively pursuing your federal claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, our firm is equipped to assist Veterans and/or their surviving spouses/children with claims against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
We are more than happy to speak to you regarding any previously denied VA compensation claims, DIC (Dependency & Indemnity Compensation) claims, or to simply just assist Veterans or their survivors by reviewing military records with the hope of filing a new claim against the VA.
