Military veterans and civilian employees exposed to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune are potentially at risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. A recent study has found a significant correlation between water exposure and the progressive neurological disorder affecting movement and cognitive function.
- Parkinson’s Disease and Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Statistics
- The Truth About the Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune
- What You Need to Know About the Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit
- Injuries Other Than Parkinson’s Caused by Camp Lejeune Contaminated Drinking Water
- The Department of Veterans Affairs Camp Lejeune Presumptive Conditions List
- The PACT Act and Camp Lejeune Justice Act
- Filing a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Benefits and Compensation Lawsuit
- Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Resolve a Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s Disease Claim
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While the cause of Parkinson’s disease is unknown, research suggests that environmental factors may play a role. Those who served at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987 should be especially vigilant in monitoring the health conditions identified for any signs of Parkinson’s disease.
Were you diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease after exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base? Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC are legal advocates for Camp Lejeune victims qualifying for VA disability benefits and financial compensation for damages.
Contact our attorneys at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation of your Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s Disease lawsuit.
All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team concerning your Parkinson’s disease diagnosis remains private through an attorney-client relationship. See if you qualify for a Camp Lejune water contamination lawsuit today.
Parkinson’s Disease and Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Statistics
If you are a military veteran who served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina, you may have had contact with contaminants in the drinking water there.
Scientific and medical evidence has shown an association between exposure to these contaminants during military service and the development of certain diseases later on. For example, studies estimate that over 900,000 military personnel diagnosed with severe medical conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, may have been exposed to the contaminants.
As a result, the military has established a health care program to provide treatment and benefits for veterans who served at these bases and were exposed to contaminated water. If you believe you may have been exposed, you must speak with your doctor and determine if you are eligible for benefits through the program.
The Truth About the Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune
For many years, the Marines denied that the water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated. However, in recent years they have finally admitted that there were problems with the water supply dating back to the 1950s.
The contaminants present in the water included industrial solvents like trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, vinyl chloride, and lead. These chemicals are believed to have leached into the water supply from leaking storage tanks and industrial sites nearby.
Although the Marines have taken steps to clean up the contamination, it is still present in some areas of the base. Anyone who served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River during the years when the contamination was present may have been exposed.
Veterans and their families affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune have suffered for many years without knowing the truth about what happened. Since the 1980s, they were told that the water was safe to drink, even though the Marines knew it was contaminated.
As a result, many veterans and their families have developed severe health problems, including Parkinson’s disease. Long-term occupational exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune increases the Parkinson’s disease risk.
What You Need to Know About the Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit
If you served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River during the years when the water was contaminated, it is essential to be aware of the potential health risks. Although the Marines have taken steps to clean up the contamination, it is still detectable in some areas of the base.
Anyone who served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River during the years when the contamination was present may have been exposed.
The Solvent Exposures and Harmful Chemicals Detected in the Camp Lejeune Water Supply
The National Research Council identified positive trends and increased risks from occupational and drinking water exposures reported in numerous studies. The Veterans Administration (VA) Committee released information revealing health conditions determined by a special panel of experts.
The experts determined an increased risk factor in harmful conditions caused by detected solvents that could have potential etiologic relevance in developing Parkinson’s disease.
At the end of the report, the VA committee concludes that the Camp Lejeune water supply might have caused the neurobehavioral effects of Parkinson’s disease.
Injuries Other Than Parkinson’s Caused by Camp Lejeune Contaminated Drinking Water
The U.S. Marine Corps has been aware that Camp Lejeune’s water supply was contaminated with harmful chemicals for years. However, it wasn’t until recently that the public learned about the full extent of the damage.
Studies now reveal that Camp Lejeune’s water was laced with toxic amounts of carcinogens and other pollutants for decades, leading to many severe medical conditions in those who drank from the taps or bathed in the water, including:
- 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 disease
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
- Nephrotoxicity (a rare form of kidney damage)
- Neurobehavioral disorders
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)
- Ovarian cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Plasma cell myeloma
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal, colorectal/colon cancers
- Renal cancer
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
- Other cancers
The Department of Veterans Affairs offers disability benefits to veterans diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or any other condition caused by contamination at Camp Lejeune.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Camp Lejeune Presumptive Conditions List
In 2012, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began recognizing certain illnesses as “presumptive conditions” for veterans stationed at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. Only recently was Parkinson’s disease added to the list.
The VA now states that many illnesses are related to the veteran’s time at Camp Lejeune, even if there is no concrete evidence linking them directly to the base. The presumptive conditions and potential health outcomes include:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Multiple myeloma
- Parkinson’s disease
The VA recently added Parkinson’s disease to the specific diseases list after the National Academies Camp Lejeune released its report in March 2022.
Lawyers specializing in Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s disease cases believe that either the Goldman Study or VA Clinical Guidance is sufficient to establish causation linking exposure to the harmful chemicals at the Marine base and Parkinson’s. Proving causation is still crucial to meet the burden of proof outlined in the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
The PACT Act and Camp Lejeune Justice Act
The United States Congress codified the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA), which is now a part of the PACT Act (Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act). The new law provides military veterans and their families with access to compensation and medical care for illnesses that may have been caused by exposure to toxic chemicals at Camp Lejeune.
In 2012, President Barack Obama signed CLJA into law, which provided medical care for military personnel and their families affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune. The federal Camp Lejeune legislation superseded the North Carolina statute of repose that dismissed cases.
However, some felt the original federal law did not go far enough in providing justice for those affected by the contamination. Changes to the law now provide more comprehensive services to those affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune, including those who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
Filing a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Benefits and Compensation Lawsuit
If you or a loved one were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you might be eligible for benefits and compensation from the federal government. There are strict deadlines for filing a claim, so it is crucial to act quickly. An experienced attorney can help you understand your legal rights and options and guide you through the claims process.
Your lawyer can help you meet the requirements for Camp Lejeune cases, as defined by federal law by:
- Reviewing medical records revealing a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease or another condition
- Show a service connection that you worked or lived at the Marine base between 1953 and 1987 for at least 30 days (consecutive or non-consecutive) and had residential or occupational exposure to the Camp Lejeune water supply.
A recent report by the National Academies Press found that those exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune face a significantly increased risk of developing severe health conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, leukemia, and other illnesses.
The VA has already begun awarding benefits to Camp Lejeune residents affected. More are likely to come as more people are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease or another condition. If you think you may be eligible for VA benefits, an experienced attorney can help you file a claim.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Resolve a Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s Disease Claim
Do you believe your Parkinson’s disease diagnosis is related to exposure to contaminated Camp Lejeune water? Our legal team can help ensure you receive all the VA benefits and financial compensation you deserve.
Call our Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s disease law firm at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free case evaluation.
Our lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to pay us any attorney fee for our legal services unless we win your case. All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
