H2O at Military Base Blamed for Marine’s Cancer

A former Marine that alleges that contaminated water at Camp Lejeune military base caused his breast cancer, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, as reported by the Fay Observer.

The man, Joel Shriberg, is seeking $16 million in damages. 

The suit, filed in U.S. District Court, alleges that Shriberg contracted a rare form of breast cancer due to the base water's "notorious and reckless contamination."

Shriberg, honorably discharged at the rank of corporal at an undisclosed date, was a clerk at Camp Lejeune from September 1957 through to April of 1959.

The complaint alleges that his 2004 cancer diagnosis was due to water contamination at the base.  Since 2004 the cancer has also spread to his lungs.

The complaint reads, "The water contamination at Camp Lejeune has affected Marines and civilians alike.  It has not discriminated in its poisoning of the former residents and personnel at Camp Lejeune during the relevant period, and continues to destroy both military and civilian families with its cancerous effects."

Shriberg's lawyer, in citing a published report, wrote, "Scientists testifying before Congress have stated that Camp Lejeune represents the worst contamination of a public water system in United States history."

Shriberg's case is not the only one pending, there are 850 more totaling $4 billion.

The complaint continued, "From at least 1957 through 1987, Marines, their families and other personnel at Lejeune drank and bathed in water contaminated with more than 70 chemicals and toxins at levels 240 to 3,400 times permitted by safety standards."

Of the 70 chemicals noted, three included a degreaser, a dry cleaning solvent and a natural constituent of crude oil.  The chemicals - stored in faulty locations - seeped into the water supply at the base.  Some of the contaminated locations were near homes, hospitals and wells.

Other chemicals were routinely held in drums, which were tossed into waterways when filled - or poured directly onto the base's land.

Shriberg's claim, previously filed with the Department of the Navy in April, was considered denied, as
he didn't receive a final disposition within six months.

Gross negligence, negligence and willful misconduct are alleged in the complaint.  Also stated in the complaint is the government's history of deception, and misinformation, about water contamination.

The complaint reads, "There is a long history of lost documents, deceptive lab tests, and poor management at Camp Lejeune."

According to court documents Shriberg, nor his family, have any history of cancer or genetic predisposition for the disease.

His left breast now removed since the diagnosis, Shriberg suffers with limited - and permanent - loss of mobility.  He also must submit to chemotherapy and hormonal therapy medications.

He has an estimated two years left to live.

The breakdown of the $16 million requested in damages is: $200,000 in past medical expenses and $1 million for future ones; $5 million for past pain and suffering and $6 million for future pain and suffering; and the final $4 million is allocated for his diminished life expectancy.

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