At OnderLaw, we pride ourselves on championing justice for the oppressed and neglected. Few cases epitomize this mission more starkly than the unfolding tragedy of the Camp Lejeune water contamination.
For decades, the brave men and women who lived and served at Camp Lejeune, alongside their families, were unwittingly exposed to a deadly cocktail of carcinogens in the water they drank, bathed in, and used daily. Trichloroethylene (TCE) and other contaminants have since been linked to a staggering 15 different cancers and conditions, devastating countless lives.
While the Marine Corps internally acknowledged the contamination in the early 1980s, they failed to alert the community until nearly two decades later. The devastating consequences of this delay are immeasurable. Eddie Peterson, an individual affected by this negligence, and many like him, suffered silently for years before drawing the connection between their health issues and their time at Camp Lejeune.
Thanks to the PACT Act signed by President Joe Biden, victims of this grave injustice finally have a path to hold the government accountable. Yet, justice remains elusive. Many claims are still languishing in courts or evolving into wrongful death suits as victims pass away, their lives cut tragically short by a crisis they neither caused nor had the information to mitigate.
OnderLaw is deeply moved by the resiliency of these victims and their families. As Eddie Peterson poignantly highlights, true justice can never fully mend the damage done. No legal win can return the lost years, nor erase the pain of countless families. However, in the face of such overwhelming tragedy, accountability becomes paramount.
The hefty price tag projected by the Congressional Budget Office, exceeding $163 billion over a decade, underscores the magnitude of the crisis. But this isn’t just about financial recompense. It’s about signaling that such gross negligence, especially when it affects those who’ve dedicated their lives to serve our nation, will never be tolerated.
The Camp Lejeune crisis, sadly, isn’t an isolated incident. Recent events in Honolulu and aboard the USS Boxer further highlight a disturbing pattern of neglect and misinformation within our military institutions. It is high time that these recurring episodes of environmental negligence are addressed head-on.
We at OnderLaw stand in solidarity with the victims of Camp Lejeune and all others affected by similar crises. Our commitment remains unwavering: to ensure that such grievous oversights are brought to light, and that those responsible are held accountable.
In the end, as Eddie Peterson eloquently puts it, it’s not just about monetary compensation or settlements. It’s about recognizing the deep scars left behind, the irreplaceable loss, and ensuring no other community has to endure a similar fate. Because every individual, especially those who serve our country, deserves the right to clean, safe water. If you or a loved one have been affected by this or a similar tragedy, contact OnderLaw today for your free, no-obligation consultation.
