Camp Lejeune Water Contamination: Legal Battles and Personal Stories
The path to justice for those affected by toxic water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is fraught with delays, leaving thousands of victims in limbo. Despite legislation intended to aid in their pursuit of justice, the process remains slow and challenging.
From the 1950s to the 1980s, Camp Lejeune’s water was tainted by industrial pollutants, including those from storage tanks, waste sites, and even a nearby dry-cleaning business. Tests in the early 1980s confirmed contamination in several water treatment facilities on the base, affecting both living quarters and family housing.
The contamination, primarily involving chemicals like tetrachloroethylene and benzene, went undetected until 1982 and wells supplying the tainted water weren’t shut down until 1985. This prolonged exposure led to significant health issues for many, including Morgan Makely III, a former Marine who served from 1981 to 1985 at Camp Lejeune.
Makely’s widow, Cathy, recounts their discovery of the contamination while living in Atlanta in 2002. “We got a letter that said the water was contaminated,” she explained. As time passed, Morgan began experiencing severe health issues, culminating in a diagnosis of stage 4 esophageal cancer in 2020.
Despite the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, which allows victims to sue the U.S. government, progress has been slow. Cathy describes the legal hurdles as the Department of Navy and the Department of Justice challenge claims aggressively. “It’s absurd,” she said, expressing frustration over the slow-moving judicial process.
A recent bill, the Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act, aims to streamline court procedures and lower the burden of proof for victims, but it remains stuck in legislative limbo.
U.S. Veterans Administration
As families like the Makelys continue to seek justice, they face not only legal battles but also personal hardships. “Why are we having to fight?” Cathy asks, voicing her frustration as she advocates for fellow victims through petitions and public campaigns.
For more information on the ongoing fight for justice, visit the Erin Brockovich speaks out for justice for victims of toxic water aboard Camp Lejeune and the 25 year fight for justice; retired USMC MSgt and father of child victim continues to advocate for those impacted by toxic Camp Lejeune water.
