Veterans Lawsuits
Military service members and veterans face unique health risks from toxic exposures during their service. These lawsuits address harms from contaminated water, toxic chemicals, and hazardous materials at military installations.
Military-Related Mass Tort Lawsuits
Lawsuits Affecting Veterans
Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
Water contamination at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, NC exposed service members and families to toxic chemicals from 1953-1987.
AFFF Foam Lawsuit
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) contains PFAS "forever chemicals" linked to cancer in firefighters and contaminated communities.
Mesothelioma Lawsuit
Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of mesothelioma. Over $30 billion in trust funds exist for claimants, with average settlements of $1M-$1.4M.
3M Earplugs Lawsuit
The largest MDL in US history — 3M's defective Combat Arms Earplugs caused hearing loss and tinnitus in over 300,000 military service members. $6.01 billion settlement.
Bair Hugger Lawsuit
3M's Bair Hugger forced-air warming blankets used during surgery are alleged to circulate contaminated air, causing deep joint infections after hip and knee replacements.
Served Our Country? You May Have a Claim.
Veterans and military families exposed to toxic substances during service may be eligible for significant compensation. Get a free, confidential case review.
Common Military Exposures
Defective Combat Earplugs
Over 300,000 service members were issued defective 3M Combat Arms Earplugs (CAEv2) between 2003 and 2015. The dual-ended earplugs had a design defect that caused them to loosen imperceptibly, failing to provide adequate hearing protection. 3M agreed to a $6.01 billion settlement — the largest military-related mass tort in U.S. history.
Water Contamination
Service members stationed at bases with contaminated water supplies — most notably Camp Lejeune (1953-1987) — were exposed to toxic chemicals including TCE, PCE, benzene, and vinyl chloride. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 allows affected individuals to file federal tort claims.
AFFF Firefighting Foam
Military firefighters and personnel at bases where AFFF foam was used for fire training and suppression were exposed to PFAS "forever chemicals." These chemicals have been linked to testicular cancer, kidney cancer, and thyroid disease.
Asbestos Exposure
Veterans who served in the Navy (shipboard exposure), construction, demolition, or in older military facilities may have been exposed to asbestos. Navy veterans are disproportionately affected, as asbestos was widely used in ship construction through the 1970s.
Surgical Warming Device Infections
The Bair Hugger forced-air warming device, manufactured by 3M and widely used in VA hospitals, is alleged to circulate contaminated air over surgical sites during joint replacement procedures. Veterans who developed deep joint infections after hip or knee surgery at VA facilities may be eligible to file claims.
Veterans may also have access to VA benefits and healthcare in addition to civil legal claims. These are separate processes that do not affect each other. Consult with an attorney to understand all your options.