Fort Jackson Water Contamination Lawsuit

The Fort Jackson, South Carolina, military base knowingly subjected its personnel to water contaminated by dangerous chemicals, placing them at an increased risk of developing serious health complications like thyroid disease or testicular cancer.

Our law firm represents those who have developed medical conditions due to contaminated military bases, including Fort Jackson.

Updates on Fort Jackson Water Contamination Lawsuits

2024

Veterans and Service Members File More PFAS Exposure Suits

Following the success of claimants in the Camp Lejeune water lawsuit, veterans and service members continue to seek justice for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in lawsuits focused on specific military installations, including Fort Jackson, Fort Hood, Camp Mabry, and Camp Pendleton.

April 2022

Government Study Reveals Serious Risks from Toxic Exposure

An internal study by the Department of Defense found that over 600,000 service members were exposed to polyfluoroalkyl substances at 116 military installations worldwide, including Fort Jackson [1].

The study only counted individuals who were exposed to 70 parts per trillion or more in accordance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards. However, the EPA has now determined that anything more than 1 part per trillion of these chemicals is unsafe [2].

September 2022

Fort Jackson Army Cleanup Program Exposes Widespread Contamination

The Installation Action Plan at Fort Jackson identified several separate sites requiring environmental remediation, including landfills, rocket grenade ranges, mortar ranges, and the tank machine shop [3].

2013-2019

Public Meetings Discuss Serious Health Issues on Base

Members of the public and military personnel around Fort Jackson pressed the issue of health concerns related to toxic exposure, resulting in water sampling around the area and the development of mitigation proposals.

2009-2013

Operational Range Assessments Reveal Fort Jackson Water Contamination

Water sampling identified traces of Royal Demolition Explosive (RDX) in both ground and surface water east of Weston Lake. Though RDX doesn’t explode in water, this type of toxic exposure can result in serious adverse effects on human health, particularly over long periods of time [4].

Fort Jackson Lawsuit Eligibility Criteria

When you contact our legal team to discuss your eligibility, we look at several factors, including the following:

• Duration of Toxic Exposure – As these chemicals take time to build up in the body, we typically pursue cases for those who were stationed on or around Fort Jackson for at least 6 months.
• Medical Diagnoses – The chemicals in Fort Jackson water are linked to numerous types of cancer, as well as multiple myeloma and ulcerative colitis. When you provide us with your medical records, we’ll explore whether we believe you have a case.

Fort Jackson Lawsuit Eligibility Criteria

When you contact our legal team to discuss your eligibility, we look at several factors, including the following:

• Duration of Toxic Exposure – As these chemicals take time to build up in the body, we typically pursue cases for those who were stationed on or around Fort Jackson for at least 6 months.
• Medical Diagnoses – The chemicals in Fort Jackson water are linked to numerous types of cancer, as well as multiple myeloma and ulcerative colitis. When you provide us with your medical records, we’ll explore whether we believe you have a case.

Toxic Chemicals in Fort Jackson Drinking Water

Fort Jackson, a military base in South Carolina, is one of the largest training bases in the United States. Previously a training facility for the South Carolina National Guard, 50% of Army recruits now participate in training exercises here each year. The base played a critical role in training soldiers for World War II and the Korean War.

Like many other bases, Fort Jackson also has widespread water contamination putting thousands of service personnel and their family members at risk of serious health issues.

Forever chemicals in the water supply have led the Environmental Protection Agency to designate Fort Jackson as a Superfund site, demanding the military mitigate the risks to human health. These chemicals include the following types.

RDX

Royal Demolition Explosive is the incendiary chemical in hand grenades, known to have been used at Fort Jackson since the 1950s [5]. Exposure to RDX can adversely affect the nervous system, and mice with long-term RDX exposure suffer liver damage [6].

Fort Jackson now provides whole-house filtration systems to families whose homes have tested positive for RDX [7].

PFAS

Per- and polyfluorinated substances are found primarily in firefighting foam, putting military firefighters at great risk. These chemicals don’t break down in the soil, leading to groundwater contamination.

PFAS exposure can result in elevated levels of cholesterol and liver enzymes, as well as reproductive issues and kidney cancer [8]. If you have suffered from reproductive issues after toxic exposure on a military base, reach out to us to file a PFAS exposure lawsuit.

TCE

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is used on a military base as a cleaner and degreaser for military weapons and equipment. TCE exposure can result in neurological issues as well as damage to the liver, kidneys, endocrine system, and immune system [9].

Lead

The drinking water at Fort Jackson has been found to contain lead above the standards set by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control [10]. Lead exposure can result in developmental delays, stillbirths, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease [11].

PAHs

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons are chemicals produced as byproducts of incomplete combustion, such as in trash incineration, and in the exhaust of large vehicles like planes [12]. Long-term effects of toxic exposure include jaundice, cataracts, and liver or kidney damage [13].

Other Dangerous Chemicals

Due to its long history, Fort Jackson is the source of many other types of toxic exposure, including ammunition chemicals, diesel fuel, gasoline, and even radioactive waste from the now-defunct Davy Crockett weapons system [14].

Adverse Health Risks of Contaminated Drinking Water

There are both short-term and long-term health risks associated with drinking Fort Jackson toxic water. Health effects include:

• Dizziness – Many of the chemicals on contaminated military bases work on the central nervous system, inducing vertigo and dizziness.
• Muscle Twitching – RDX can induce seizures and muscle twitches shortly after exposure [15].
• Vomiting – Acute exposure to RDX can result in vomiting [16]. Lead exposure also results in vomiting, headaches, and stomach issues [17].
• Headaches – TCE can lead to headaches, confusion, and dizziness [18].
• Cardiovascular Damage– PFAS exposure increases the risk of death by cardiovascular disease and can lead to elevated cholesterol levels [19].
• Immune System Damage – PFAS chemicals impair immune system responses, making vaccines and other treatments less effective [20].
• Reproductive Issues – PFAS is linked to reduced fertility, and it can increase the risk of developing polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis [21]. It’s also been linked to higher miscarriage and stillbirth rates, as well as pre-eclampsia and low birth weight [22].
• Cancer – Chemicals in the drinking water at Fort Jackson have been linked to a variety of different cancers, including:
  • Kidney cancer
  • Bladder cancer
  • Testicular cancer
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Liver cancer

How to File a Fort Jackson Water Contamination Lawsuit

To file a Fort Jackson toxic exposure lawsuit, follow these steps:

• Contact Our Legal Team – Call our Chicago personal injury law firm for a free consultation, where we will identify whether we believe you’re eligible for financial compensation based on your health problems and military service.
• Gather Evidence – We will inform you of what evidence is required. This can include documentation of your diagnoses, proof of prior service at Fort Jackson, and details about your time at the military base.
• File a Complaint – A military base water contamination attorney from Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers will draft a formal complaint letter and file it with the appropriate agencies on your behalf. This will detail who we believe is responsible and what compensation we are requesting.
• Negotiations – We’ll seek a proper settlement from the responsible parties, which may be the Fort Jackson administration or other relevant agencies.
• Going to Trial – If we are not able to receive adequate compensation from a settlement, we will take the case to trial and keep you informed throughout the process.

Evidence Needed to Support Fort Jackson Toxic Exposure Claims

• Military Records – We are open to cases from those stationed at Fort Jackson for six months or more. This documentation can include military orders, deployment records, discharge paperwork, and work logs.
• Medical Records – Your legal team must prove you suffered health problems that have been linked to toxic exposure, such as liver damage or certain cancers. This will help us link your case to toxic water. Medical records can include diagnostics, testing, treatment plans, and care visits.
• Reports and Studies – We’ll review records related to water contamination at the military base, such as studies commissioned by the Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency. This will help demonstrate that toxic drinking water is linked to the types of health conditions you are suffering from.
• Testimony – Our legal team has a strong network of professionals across a variety of fields who can attest to the dangers posed by hazardous chemicals in drinking water, particularly those associated with Fort Jackson.

Fort Jackson Lawsuit Settlement Financial Compensation Estimation

Estimated compensation amounts for Fort Jackson lawsuits range from $30,000 to $500,000, with the average settlement estimated at around $250,000. The duration of your exposure, the financial losses you have incurred, and the severity of your condition will affect the settlement amount.

You may be eligible for both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are for the hard financial losses incurred by exposure, including:

• Medical bills
• Out-of-pocket medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning potential
• Funeral expenses

Non-economic damages represent the severe impacts serious health conditions can inflict on a person and their family. These can include:

• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Disfigurement
• Emotional trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Grief
• Loss of companionship

You Have a Limited Time to Pursue Legal Action

In South Carolina, where Fort Jackson is located, there is a statute of limitations of 3 years from the date of diagnosis for water contamination lawsuits against military bases.

However, statutes of limitation differ by state, and the extenuating circumstances surrounding long-term exposure may change the limitations. It’s important to contact us as soon as possible so we can identify whether you’re eligible for a lawsuit based on your specific circumstances.

Contact a Fort Jackson Water Contamination Lawyer Today!

Toxic exposure claims are complicated. But having successfully navigated a number of them, we have the necessary knowledge to obtain fair compensation for you. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has recovered millions in damages on behalf of our clients who have suffered health issues due to the negligence of the Department of Defense and other parties, who put thousands at risk at this Superfund site.

We work on a contingency fee basis, ensuring military firefighters, service members, and their families can work with a world-class legal team regardless of their financial situation. To schedule your free consultation with a drinking water contamination lawyer, call us at (888) 424-5757 or use our online contact form.

Related Practice Areas

• Military Base Water Contamination Lawsuit
• Camp Pendleton Water Contamination Lawsuit
• Cherry Point Water Contamination Lawsuit
• Fort Benning Water Contamination Lawsuit
• Fort Bragg Water Contamination Lawsuit
• Fort Carson Water Contamination Lawsuit
• Fort Detrick Water Contamination Lawsuit
• Fort Dix Water Contamination Lawsuit
• Fort Drum Water Contamination Lawsuit
• Fort Ord Water Contamination Lawsuit

References: [1] Environmental Working Group, [2] Environmental Working Group, [3] Fort Jackson Army Cleanup Program, [4] United States Army, [5] United States Army, [6] Centers for Disease Control, [7] GoUpstate; [8] Centers for Disease Control, [9] Environmental Protection Agency, [10] South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, [11] World Health Organization, [12] National Library of Medicine, [13] Illinois Department of Public Health, [14] US Nuclear Regulatory Commission, [15] Centers for Disease Control, [16] Centers for Disease Control, [17] Tennessee Department of Health, [18] Environmental Protection Agency, [19] National Library of Medicine, [20] Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, [21] Mount Sinai, [22] BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.