Established in 1942, the Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina served as the critical hub for Marines for several decades. However, its history isn’t just a chronicle of military dedication and discipline. Instead, it’s marred by unintentional water contamination that resulted in lifelong issues in those situated at the base.
A few years ago, seeking damages for illness contracted due to the exposure to poisonous Camp Lejeune’s water was impossible. But the passing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act marked a significant milestone in the pursuit of justice for military personnel and their families affected by the contaminated water. You can recover damages by filing a lawsuit against the government.
Are you eligible to file the Camp Lejeune lawsuit? This article will help you decide, as it discusses the medical conditions that are eligible for the claim.
Toxic Chemicals That Caused Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune
In the early 1950s, industrial solvents contaminated the two water supply systems of the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.
More than 70 dangerous substances were detected in the Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace water treatment plants that provided water to the military base. These included degreasers and dry-cleaning solvents.
Among the 70 chemicals found in Camp Lejeune’s water supply systems, these four were the primary ones:
- Tetrachloroethylene or perchloroethylene (PCE or perc)
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Benzene
- Vinyl Chloride
Medical Conditions Eligible for Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
The chemicals identified in the water supply samples of Camp Lejeune are volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Exposure to these VOCs is linked with adverse health effects, from bladder cancer to neurobehavioral effects.
In this section, we’ll discuss the conditions linked with Camp Lejeune’s water contamination that qualify for a lawsuit.
1. Kidney Cancer
Terrifyingly high levels of PCE and TCE in the contaminated water of Camp Lejeune are believed to cause kidney cancer in veterans. There is sufficient evidence to support this claim.
Several studies disclose that U.S. Marines and their families positioned at the military base are at increased risk of developing kidney cancer compared to civilians. They were at high risk due to the exposure to the contaminated water.
A CDMRP research reveals that active-duty service members are at an increased risk of developing renal cell carcinoma or RCC (kidney cancer) due to exposure to heavy metals and petrochemicals.
Blood in the urine, a lump or mass in the back or the side, and swelling of the ankles and legs are symptoms of kidney cancer.
2. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Another presumptive condition listed by the Veterans Affairs is non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
A Wisconsin Department of Health Services piece reveals benzene exposure to be a risk factor for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Therefore, those who drank the contaminated water of Camp Lejeune were at a greater risk of developing lymphoma than those who didn’t.
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma begins in lymphocytes. In this disease, white blood cells grow in an abnormal manner and tumors begin to form all over the body.
Symptoms of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include abdominal pain or swelling, swollen lymph nodes in the groin, armpits, and neck, and chest pain.
3. Parkinson’s Disease
Sailors and marines who drank the water of Camp Lejeune during its water contamination crisis had a 70% increased risk of developing Parkinson’s Disease, reveals a new study. Exposure to TCE and other volatile organic compounds increased veterans’ risk of acquiring Parkinson’s disease.
In a new study published in Jama Neurology, researchers found that Camp Lejeune veterans had a considerably higher incidence of prodromal Parkinson’s Disease diagnoses. This includes erectile dysfunction, anxiety, and tremor.
4. Other Conditions
Besides the ones mentioned, other illnesses linked with the poisonous water at Camp Lejeune are as follows:
- Breast, bladder, esophageal, and lung cancers
- Female infertility
- Leukemia
- Multiple myeloma
- Scleroderma
- Renal toxicity
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Miscarriage
- Neurobehavioral effects like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Filing a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
Suppose you or any of your family members have been diagnosed with any of the diseases linked with Camp Lejeune’s water contamination. In that case, you can recover compensation by filing a lawsuit. To do so, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must have lived at the military base between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, for at least 30 days.
- You weren’t discharged dishonorably from the military.
- Your illness must be due to the exposure to the contaminated water.
You can file a lawsuit if you meet all three criteria. By filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, you can receive between $10,000 and over $1,000,000 as compensation, notes TorHoerman Law.
Keep in mind your compensation amount depends on the strength of your case. For this reason, we advise you to hire an experienced lawyer for your Camp Lejeune lawsuit. The best lawyers for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit will help you gather evidence proving that you contracted the illness due to exposure to Camp Lejeune’s polluted water.
Whoever you’re hiring to file a lawsuit, make sure they are experienced in handling Camp Lejeune claims.
Wrapping Up
The Camp Lejeune water contamination incident was among the worst cases in the history of the U.S.
From kidney cancer to Parkinson’s disease, exposure to the VOCs resulted in a host of life-altering conditions in those living at the military base over four decades ago. However, you can recover damages by filing a lawsuit against the government. It’s advisable to hire an attorney, as they will build a solid case and help you earn fair compensation.
