Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers | December 6, 2024 | Personal Injury
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, located in southeastern North Carolina, lies just east of Jacksonville in Onslow County. Named in honor of Lieutenant General John A. Lejeune, the 13th Commandant of the Marine Corps, the base was established in the early 1940s as a premier training facility for the U.S. Marine Corps. Spanning approximately 153,439 acres and featuring over 14 miles of coastline, Camp Lejeune serves as an ideal location for amphibious warfare and water-based combat training.
Can I Visit Camp Lejeune?
Civilians can visit Camp Lejeune, but they must follow strict procedures for base access. The base uses a Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) for base access. All visitors must go through the approval process and obtain a temporary paper pass or DBIDS for authorization to enter the base. The approval process includes a criminal background check and identity verification.
Visitors without a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license must provide additional proof of identity, such as:
- A U.S. passport,
- An original or certified birth certificate with a raised seal, or
- A Social Security card.
All documents must display matching names. If a name has changed due to marriage, divorce, or legal action, visitors must also provide supporting documentation, such as a court order, marriage certificate, or divorce decree.
Most visitors should submit their applications at the Visitor Center in Building TT-13. Vendors and contractors, however, must go to the Contractors Vetting Office for approval.
Additional procedures and processing times may apply for special cases such as command events, veterans’ visits, DoDEA events, and other occasions. Visitors and the service members hosting them are encouraged to contact the Visitor Center for detailed guidance.
Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune
Camp Lejeune has been in the news because of lawsuits related to water contamination at the base. In 1982, officials discovered harmful toxins in the base’s water supply caused by industrial solvents. The contamination was traced to benzene, dry cleaning waste, and leaks from underground fuel storage tanks.
Personnel and visitors at Camp Lejeune were exposed to these hazardous chemicals through everyday activities, including drinking, bathing, and other uses of the contaminated water. Conditions linked to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune include:
- Liver cancer
- Adult leukemia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Kidney cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Multiple myeloma
The above eight conditions create a presumption that the condition was caused by exposure to the chemicals if the person can prove exposure. However, other conditions could be related to the exposure, so it is important to have a lawyer on your side if you think you may have a case.
Is Camp Lejeune Safe to Visit?
The water at Camp Lejeune is now safe to drink, but many individuals who lived or worked on the base continue to experience health effects from prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals. U.S. Marines, their family members, and others stationed at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, may be eligible for financial compensation if they developed health conditions linked to the contaminated water. These individuals can pursue legal action under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, which provides a pathway for injured parties to seek accountability and restitution.
Premises Liability Claims in North Carolina
In addition to water contamination lawsuits, premises liability claims may also arise from incidents at Camp Lejeune. Property owners have a duty to keep their property safe for guests and invitees. If someone is injured on their property, the property owner could be liable for economic damages and non-economic damages. However, you must prove the elements of a premises liability claim to be entitled to compensation.
The legal elements in a premises liability claim are:
- The property owner or other responsible party owed the injured party a legal duty of care
- The property owner or other responsible party breached the duty of care
- The breach of duty was the direct and proximate cause of the victim’s injuries
- The victim sustained damages because of the breach of duty
Premises liability claims can occur on residential and commercial property. They may also arise from injuries and harm occurring on government property. If you sustained an injury on Camp Lejeune property, contact a premises liability lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers For a Free Consultation
If you have been injured at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina or even just have questions about visiting the site, Mani Ellis & Layne Accident and Injury Lawyers are here to help. Whether you’re dealing with injuries related to unsafe conditions, contamination, or another incident, our dedicated legal team can provide the guidance you need. Contact our North Carolina personal injury lawyers today to schedule a free consultation.
Contact the Personal Injury Law Firm of Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact an experienced lawyer at Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have convenient locations in Columbus, OH, and Charleston, WV.
Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers – Columbus, OH Office
20 E Broad St Suite 1000, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 587-8423
Mani Ellis & Layne Accident & Injury Lawyers – Charleston, WV Office
10 Hale St Suite 501, Charleston, WV 25301
(304) 720-1000