These are just five places where the government has been forced to settle contamination claims for soldiers. Soldiers were exposed to harmful toxins and chemicals in each case that caused severe health problems.
Fort McClellan was a U.S. Army base located in Anniston, Alabama. The base was closed in 1999, but not before soldiers were exposed to harmful chemicals from a toxic waste landfill on the property. In 2003, the government settled a class action lawsuit for $700 million. The lawsuit was brought by soldiers who said they were sickened by the exposure to the chemicals. The government has also set up a medical monitoring program for those exposed to the chemicals. As of 2018, more than 9,000 people have enrolled in the program. The program provides free health screenings and monitoring for those exposed to the chemicals at Fort McClellan.
Pease Air Force Base in New Hampshire was contaminated with PFAS, a toxic chemical used in firefighting foam. The contamination caused health problems for many soldiers and their families. In 2018, the government settled a class action lawsuit for $33 million. The lawsuit alleged that the military knew about the contamination but did nothing to warn or protect the soldiers and their families. The settlement will be used to pay for medical treatment and other expenses related to the contamination. This is a tragedy for the soldiers and their families, highlighting the need for better regulation of toxic chemicals.
For many years, the U.S. Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with various toxic chemicals. The contamination occurred through the base’s water supply, and it is estimated that as many as one million people were exposed to the contaminated water. Camp Lejeune base legal issues stem from the chemicals in the water have been linked to a range of serious health problems, including cancer, congenital disabilities, and immune system illnesses. In 2012, the government settled a class action lawsuit for $2.2 billion, providing compensation for those affected by the contamination. However, the damage has already been done to many exposed individuals and their families.
Fort Meade is a U.S. Army installation located in Maryland. In 2016, it was discovered that the installation was contaminated with PFAS, a toxic chemical used in firefighting foam. The contamination caused health problems for many soldiers and their families, including skin rashes, kidney and liver damage, and reproductive problems. In 2019, the government settled a class action lawsuit for $21 million. The lawsuit was brought by more than 700 soldiers and their families who allege that the contamination harmed them. The settlement will compensate for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Aberdeen Proving Ground was one of the leading sites for testing military weaponry for nearly a century. However, the site was also contaminated with asbestos, a known carcinogen. The contamination resulted in serious health problems for many soldiers and their families. In 2016, the government settled a class action lawsuit for $50 million. The settlement will help to provide compensation for the victims and their families. Additionally, the government has pledged to clean up the site and prevent future contamination.
These are just a few sites that have harmed members of the military. Hopefully, the cleanup will be successful and keep future soldiers safe when on base.
