From 1953 to 1987, nearly one million service members, their families, and civilians who worked at the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in North Carolina were exposed to one of the most severe cases of water contamination in US history. This exposure has been linked to the development of cancer and other illnesses among those affected.
Camp Lejeune water contamination symptoms have caused extreme stress on service members and their families for decades. With the passing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) in 2022, victims are finally able to file claims and receive compensation for their losses.
If you or a loved one has been harmed by the water supply at Camp Lejeune, you deserve justice. Contact our Camp Lejeune water contamination advocates at 888-373-4722 or request a free consultation today.
What Was the Cause of the Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune?
Contamination at the water treatment plants was caused by a combination of chemical spills and leaks, both on and off the Camp Lejeune base. ABC One-Hour Cleaners, a dry-cleaning business situated off-base, significantly contributed to the water contamination. The company disposed of wastewater containing dry-cleaning chemicals into drains, which eventually made their way into the soil and groundwater through the septic tank system on the property.
While the dry cleaners were responsible for some of the contamination, the National Research Council suggests that there were likely other sources of pollution, including underground storage tank leaks and industrial site spills. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry estimated that the drinking water at the water treatment plants contained concentrations of PCE that exceeded the EPA’s maximum contaminant levels. These chemicals, which are not meant for human consumption, have been linked to several severe health conditions.
What Are the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Symptoms?
The drinking water sources at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene, trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene or perchloroethylene (PCE), and vinyl chloride (VC). Camp Lejeune water is known to have caused health effects including cancer, birth defects, organ damage and neurobehavioral changes. Many different symptoms are associated with these conditions, ranging widely from fatigue to difficulty breathing to short-term memory problems.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, TCEs can lead to symptoms including headaches, dizziness, confusion, facial numbness, weakness, and feelings of euphoria. People exposed to PCEs for longer periods of time may experience changes in memory, mood, attention, reaction time, and/or vision.
Cancers connected to Camp Lejeune water exposure cause a variety of symptoms because the water contaminants may affect many different parts of the body. Symptoms may include: fatigue, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss or weight gain, changes in bowel or bladder function, swelling or lumps in the skin, cough or respiratory problems.
Other serious conditions connected to Camp Lejeune water exposure cause symptoms that may affect the heart, liver, reproductive organs, kidneys, skin, mouth and nervous system, and symptoms may include: irregular heartbeat, abdominal pain, inability to become pregnant, decreased urine output, dry, itchy skin, dental issues with cleft palate, nerve damage, tremors in hands, arms, legs or head, and muscle stiffness.
What Illnesses Have Been Linked to the Water Contamination at Camp LeJeune?
Many health problems have been linked to the contaminants in Camp Lejeune’s water. PCEs and TCEs can both increase the risk of several cancers as well as Hodgkin’s disease, and TCEs may have effects on pregnancy and unborn children, such as birth defects or miscarriages. Benzene, on the other hand, can cause a decrease in red blood cells, leading to anemia over time. It can cause irregular menstrual periods and a decrease in the size of ovaries in women.
Some of the most prevalent illnesses linked to Camp Lejeune include:
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Am I Eligible for Compensation If I Have Camp Lejeune Water Symptoms?
According to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, people who develop health problems from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may file claims seeking compensation. You may be eligible for benefits if you meet these criteria:
- Camp Lejeune Justice Act covers people exposed for at least 30 days between August 1953 – December 1987. This includes:
- Service members who served at Camp Lejeune
- Family members who lived on base
- Civilians who worked on base
- Contractors who worked on base
- Someone who was in utero of any of the previous groups
- They must also be diagnosed with a presumptive condition, which is a health condition connected to contaminated Camp Lejeune water. These include:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
Suffering From Camp Lejeune Water Symptoms? It’s Time to Get Justice
If you were exposed to the contaminants and chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s water and you’ve been diagnosed with a health condition because of it, then it’s time to get the justice you deserve. We are here to help.
Our advocates at Disabled Vets know the difficulties that Camp Lejeune victims have been dealing with for decades. We can help you prepare your case and file a Camp Lejeune water claim as quickly as possible.
We are committed to our clients, and we will work to ensure your claim is filed and you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at 888-373-4722 and get started with a free case review to determine your eligibility for a Camp Lejeune case!
