Home to the 62nd Airlift Wing and located 9.1 miles south-southwest of Tacoma, Washington, Joint Base Lewis-McChord is an amalgamation of the U.S. Army's Fort Lewis and the U.S. Air Force's McChord Air Force Base that merged on February 1, 2010, as a result of Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommendations of 2005. Built in 1917 as Fort Lewis, the military base is one of the largest and most modern Army installations in the country, and its geographic location offers quick access to the deepwater ports of Tacoma, Olympia, and Seattle for deploying equipment.
Unfortunately, the drinking water of the military base is contaminated with PFAS, a group of highly toxic chemicals that ended up on the premises of the installation as a result of firefighters and trainees using AFFF. This is a fire suppressant that, while very effective in putting out fires stemming from flammable liquids or gases, contains a high percentage of PFAS, also known as "forever chemicals." Exposure to these hazardous agents can result in numerous life-threatening diseases, including various cancer types.
According to the last tests run by the Environmental Working Group, the PFAS level present in the water at Joint Base Lewis-McChord is 378 ppt, which exceeds the safety limit by 94.5 times. Therefore, veterans and family members who developed a health issue due to PFAS exposure at this military base and spent at least one cumulative year there might be eligible for financial compensation.
Aside from cancer, which is the most severe health condition that exposure to PFAS can inflict, there are numerous other diagnoses affected people can receive as a result of coming in contact with these harmful chemicals. The medical issues associated with PFAS exposure that might make you eligible for compensation are:
The chances of developing a health condition related to PFAS exposure are higher if your time spent at Joint Base Lewis-McChord was longer, whether as a member of the military or a family member of one. So, seeing a medical professional and performing the recommended investigations are essential steps in the early detection of a potential disease. In the regrettable case you receive a diagnosis on the above list, we encourage you to contact us.
Our legal team has been providing support to veterans, members of the military, and family members affected by toxic exposure for over 35 years and is prepared to help you file a claim. We only need 10 minutes over the phone with you to tell you if you qualify to file a claim. Once the analysis of your case is concluded and eligibility established, we will continue to submit the claim. We strongly suggest contacting us as soon as you receive your diagnosis, as you might lose your right to compensation if you postpone taking legal action.