Camp Lejeune has long been a source of concern for many victims of water contamination. In recent years, studies have shown that the base was home to toxic levels of chemicals that may have led to an increased risk of leukemia.
- The Long History of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
- What Caused Camp Lejeune Leukemia?
- Camp Lejeune Leukemia Caused by Contaminated Drinking Water
- Illnesses From Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water
- The PACT Act Now Provides Disability Benefits to Injured Military Service Members and Families
- Average Settlement Amount in Camp Lejeune Leukemia Cases
- Wrongful Death Benefits for Surviving Families Who Lost Loved Ones From Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
- File a Camp Lejeune Leukemia Lawsuit Through a Personal Injury Lawyer
- Resources:
While the Department of Veterans Affairs has made moves to provide care for affected veterans harmed by the water contamination, more work needs to be done. Victims and their families are still fighting for justice and proper treatment.
Were you or someone you know affected by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune? Were you stationed at the military base during the relevant period between 1953 and 1987?
The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC can assist you in filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit seeking financial compensation for your damages.
Contact our product liability lawyers today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation related to a Camp Lejeune leukemia lawsuit.
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The Long History of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Camp Lejeune is a US Marine Corps Base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. For years, it was thought that the base’s water supply was contaminated with harmful chemicals that caused severe health issues for those stationed there, including leukemia.
New research has shown that the contamination likely began much earlier than believed and may have affected hundreds of victims. Hundreds of victims who drank and bathed in contaminated water at Camp Lejeune from the 1950s to the 1980s are now learning they may have been exposed to cancer-causing chemicals.
The Marine Corps base was found to have had a massive underground leak of toxic chemical solvents, which raises severe concerns about the health of those who lived or worked there.
What Caused Camp Lejeune Leukemia?
When Camp Lejeune opened in 1942, it was the largest Marine Corps Base on the East Coast. At its peak, more than 40,000 military and family members called Camp Lejeune home.
For years, it was contaminated with toxic chemicals that caused severe health problems for those who lived or worked there. Decades later, the full extent of the damage has come to light – and many victims who lived and worked at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune are still waiting for answers about what caused their leukemia.
On July 26, 2012, a report released by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) indicated that harmful chemicals at Camp Lejeune may have caused up to 1,500 cases of leukemia and other cancers.
Nearly 60 organizations representing military veterans and their families called on the federal government to provide medical care for those affected.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published a report which indicates that perchloroethyleneand other contaminants found in the water at Camp Lejeune may have caused severe health issues for Marines and their families. This contamination may have led to numerous illnesses, including cancer.
A National Research Council (NRC) report reignited long-standing concerns over the water supply at Camp Lejeune, which was polluted with carcinogens including benzene and trichloroethylene from 1953 to 1987. While investigations into the source of the pollution are ongoing, victims and their families call for justice.
Camp Lejeune Leukemia Caused by Contaminated Drinking Water
For decades, scientists have conducted comprehensive research on the toxic water a Camp Lejeune after first identifying numerous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful chemicals, causing significant health effects to residents of workers near the military base.
In the 1980s, test results on the drinking water at Camp Lejeune identified high levels of trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene PCE, benzene, vinyl chloride, and other contaminants. The Research Triangle Institute (RTI) found that these VOCs could potentially cause cancer in those exposed.
- Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a harmful chemical often released into the environment. If you are a victim of TCE exposure, it is essential to understand what this chemical is, how it can affect your health, and where you can find resources to help you recover.
- Perchloroethylene (PCE) is a solvent used in the dry-cleaning industry. It’s also widely used in various industrial and commercial cleaning applications. While PCE is an effective cleaner, it can also be hazardous to your health if you’re exposed to it for too long.
- Benzene is a colorless and flammable gas with a sweet odor. It is mainly used as a solvent in the chemical industry. Benzene can also be found in gasoline, tobacco smoke, and some industrial solvents. Exposure to benzene can cause health problems such as cancer and leukemia.
- Vinyl chloride is a colorless and flammable gas that is commonly used in the manufacturing of plastics. It can be harmful to humans if exposed to it for long periods and can cause severe health issues.
In response to these findings, the Department of Defense issued a public health advisory in 1985, informing residents and workers of the potential risks associated with the contaminated water. Despite this warning, many people continued to be exposed to the toxic water until the wells were finally shut off in 1987.
Since then, numerous studies have been conducted on the health effects of the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. These studies have found that exposure to contaminated water can cause several severe health conditions, including cancer, myelodysplastic syndrome, and other diseases.
Illnesses From Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water
Camp Lejeune, in Jacksonville, North Carolina, was the home of the US Marines for over 50 years. For many of those years, however, the water supply at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with chemical toxins and bacteria.
As a result, many Marines and their families who lived on or near the base developed severe illnesses, including cancers and debilitating autoimmune diseases. Adverse health outcomes associated with Camp Lejeune water contaminants include:
- Adult leukemia
- Adverse birth outcomes, including birth defects
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bile duct (gall bladder) cancer
- Bone Cancer
- Breast cancer
- Brain cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Cardiac defect
- Central nervous system cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Endocrine cancer
- End-stage renal disease
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility
- Heart defect
- Hepatic steatosis
- Kidney cancer
- Kidney disease
- Liver cancers
- Liver diseases
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
- Nephrotoxicity (a rare form of kidney damage)
- Neurobehavioral disorders
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)
- Ovarian cancer
- Parkinson’s
- Plasma cell myeloma
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal, colorectal/colon cancers
- Renal cancer
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
- Other diseases and cancers
Victims of this tragedy are now speaking out, hoping to bring awareness to this issue and get the help they need and deserve. If you or someone you know was affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, please seek legal assistance as soon as possible. You may be eligible for compensation.
The PACT Act Now Provides Disability Benefits to Injured Military Service Members and Families
Military service members and their families can now receive disability benefits through the PACT Act, including the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022.
The United States House of Representatives and Senate passed the bill in the summer of 2022. The new law superseded the existing North Carolina statute of limitations and repose, now providing disability benefits to qualifying service members diagnosed with presumptive conditions due to exposure to water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
The PACT Act’s signed into law by President Biden in August 2022 not only provides for disability benefits but also makes those with certain presumptions of service-connection eligible for health care at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities.
Average Settlement Amount in Camp Lejeune Leukemia Cases
Base personnel and their families were unknowingly exposed to these toxins for many years. As a result, many people have developed leukemia and other cancers. Unfortunately, because of the time since the contamination occurred, many victims are not eligible for compensation from the government.
So far, the average settlement amount offered in Camp Lejeune leukemia cases is $164,000. While this may seem like a lot of money, it often isn’t enough to cover medical bills and other expenses due to cancer.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has not recognized these illnesses as related to contaminated water until recently. Many veterans have not received the benefits they deserve. If you or someone you know was stationed at Camp Lejeune during that period, it is crucial to understand your rights and potential eligibility for benefits. Contact an experienced veterans attorney today for more information on filing a Camp Lejeune leukemia lawsuit.
Wrongful Death Benefits for Surviving Families Who Lost Loved Ones From Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
If you are a surviving family member of someone who died due to Camp Lejeune water contamination, you may be eligible for wrongful death benefits. Though the Marines Corps has recently agreed to provide benefits to affected families, not everyone will be automatically compensated.
However, qualifying family members, including the surviving spouse, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling, could file a Camp Lejeune leukemia lawsuit, citing wrongful death. These lawsuits are independent of the government’s recent benefit package and could provide additional – and much-needed – compensation to help with final expenses, pain, and suffering.
File a Camp Lejeune Leukemia Lawsuit Through a Personal Injury Lawyer
Were you diagnosed with leukemia and suspect that your medical condition results from exposure to Camp Lejeune water contamination? Did you live on the military base during the relevant period between 1953 and 1987 for 30 days (consecutive or nonconsecutive)?
The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC can help you seek financial compensation and file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit on your behalf. Contact us today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form to schedule a free consultation.
We accept every Camp Lejeune leukemia lawsuit on a contingency fee agreement. This arrangement ensures you pay no legal fees until your case is resolved through a negotiated settlement or jury award.
