According to the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA), some of the illnesses linked to water contamination at Camp Lejeune include:
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Aplastic anemia
- Multiple myeloma
- Parkinson’s disease
If you were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and have since been diagnosed with one of these or another health problem, you may be eligible to recover compensation via a veterans disability claim or lawsuit.
Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune
Camp Lejeune is a Marine Corps Base in North Carolina. The Camp Lejeune area and the Marine Corps Air Station New River were affected by contaminated water between 1953 and 1987. The water was contaminated with several dangerous chemicals that can cause severe health problems.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the chemicals found in water at Camp Lejeune included:
- Benzene, a substance used to make plastic, nylon, resins, and synthetic fibers
- Trichloroethylene (TCE), a metal-cleaning solvent
- Tetrachloroethylene (PCE), a metal-degreasing and dry-cleaning chemical
- Vinyl chloride (VC), a manufactured substance formed by degraded TCE and PCE in groundwater
The contaminated water affected many people, including military personnel, their families, and even unborn children. Not everyone exposed developed health problems, but sometimes it can take years for these health problems to manifest. The amount and timeframe of exposure can influence someone’s risk.
Treatment of Health Conditions Caused By Water Contamination
Treatment for the health conditions caused by the chemicals at Camp Lejeune involves careful work with doctors and specialists. Each plan is individualized and will depend on when the health problem is detected and its severity. For example, if doctors detect a particular cancer early, the patient might have more treatment options available, and their chances of recovery may be higher.
While the treatments for some cancers offer optimistic outcomes, some can be aggressive, and others terminal. Medical treatments can also be costly. These medical expenses and pain and suffering involved with a serious illness lead many of those affected to seek compensation.
Who Is Eligible for Compensation Due to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
The military personnel at Camp Lejeune were affected by something outside their control while serving their country. Many innocent civilians also experienced the negative effects of water contamination. In the face of this unfair situation, there are a few options for affected individuals to cover their associated costs.
First, the VA offers healthcare benefits and monthly payments to some veterans, reservists, and guardsmen. While veterans typically must provide proof of a service connection to their disability to receive benefits, some conditions are “presumptive.” This means if you served in a certain area at a certain time and have since been diagnosed with a specific condition, the VA will automatically approve your application for benefits.
Presumptive disability benefits are available for those who served at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987 for at least 30 days and who developed one or more of these eight conditions:
- Liver cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Aplastic anemia
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022
As of August 2022, there are now more legal options for those hurt by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 allows some individuals to seek compensation for damages they suffered from exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune via civil lawsuits. Several individuals, including veterans and their family members, may qualify for this option.
What Compensation Can You Receive Because of Exposure to Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?
Military veterans who successfully file veterans disability claims are eligible to receive healthcare benefits and monthly compensation from VA.
If you choose to file a Camp Lejeune contaminated water lawsuit, your lawyer can help you seek the following damages:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Wrongful death, if you lost a loved one due to a water contamination-related illness
Begin Your Camp Lejeune Case Today with a Free Consultation
With the passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, you may be eligible to take legal action to receive compensation. Our legal team at Schiller & Hamilton can review what happened during your time at Camp Lejeune and the evidence of the damages you sustained.
You can start your case with a free consultation, allowing us to review your legal options and explain how our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers can help you. Contact us today to get started with your case.