Illnesses Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Caused

Chemicals in the groundwater at Camp Lejeune poisoned millions of military members, their families, civilian workers, and others who used the water from 1950 three through 1987.

illness caused by water contamination

These toxic chemicals caused a wide range of illnesses and people who regularly consumed or used the water from the base.

The Chemicals

Two water wells that serviced Camp Lejeune were inadvertently contaminated with toxic chemicals, including:

• Benzene
• Perchloroethylene (PCE)
• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Vinyl chloride

These chemicals are known carcinogens. The base shut down these water wells in 1985 when the contamination was discovered. Unfortunately, millions of people had already unknowingly used and consumed this contaminated water prior to discovery.

Illness Resulting From Chemical Exposures

These are considered presumptive illnesses for those diagnosed with them.

• Adult leukemia
• Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
• Bladder cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease

if you’ve been diagnosed with one of these diseases, and you have spent time at Camp Lejeune during the affected period, The illness is considered presumptive, and you will not have to prove causation. You will however be required to prove that you were at Camp Lejeune during that Time frame.

Because there are so many lawsuits related to the Campbell June water contamination issue, your attorney will be required to show through evidence that your illness was “at least as likely as not” the result of the chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune.

Other Related Illnesses

Many more illnesses may have resulted from chemical exposures. The presumptive illnesses are only those that have been positively identified as being caused five exposure to contamination.

Other illnesses that have been traced to the water contamination include:

• Esophageal cancer
• Breast cancer
• Renal toxicity
• Female infertility
• Scleroderma
• Lung cancer
• Hepatic steatosis (Fatty Liver Disease)
• Miscarriage
• Neurobehavioral effects (such as headaches, lack of coordination, sensory disturbances, cognitive decline, and mental health conditions)

More illnesses that could be related include:

• Adult Leukemia
• ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)
• Appendix Cancer
• Autoimmune Disease, i.e., Lupus
• Bile Duct Cancer
• Birth Defect or Birth Injury, including heart-related (In Utero only)
• Bladder Cancer
• Brain Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Cervical Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer
• Dental Problems
• Esophageal Cancer
• Gallbladder Cancer
• Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Kidney Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Multiple Myeloma
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Neurobehavioral Effects
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Prostate Cancer
• Rectal Cancer
• Renal Toxicity
• Sinus Cancer
• Soft Tissue Carcinoma
• Spinal Cancer
• Thyroid Cancer
• Other Serious Medical Conditions

Because the full effects of the toxins may not be known for many years, it’s highly possible that cancer or other serious illness without precedent in a person’s family history was caused by contaminated water.

If you believe that you became ill after exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, whether military or civilian, contact a Camp Lejeune water contamination attorney as soon as possible to discuss your case.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim? Contact The Herren Law Firm Today

Until recently, only veterans could request help through the VA for their medical conditions. After the signing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, family members and civilian workers can now file a claim for compensation due to the harm they suffered from the contaminated water.

If you or someone you know became ill after working or being stationed at Camp Lejeune, contact us immediately for help filing your claim.

We’ve helped over 4,000 people, and we can help you as well. Contact us today by calling (713) 682-8194 or using our online contact form our consultation is free, and you won’t owe us a fee until we win your case.

Can Family Members File a Camp Lejeune Claim?

Much of the attention that’s paid to the victims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination case is given to the Marines and other military veterans who were stationed there. Camp Lejeune also is and has been home to many service members’ families. Military spouses and their children were also sickened by the toxic water contamination, sometimes in utero. They were left with lifelong illnesses, including many forms of cancer.

camp lejeune claims for military family members

The contamination was eventually cleared after 1987, and Camp Lejeune’s water supply is now safe to drink and use. But the damage that resulted from consuming benzene and other carcinogens continue more than 35 years later for those who lived there.

Because family members were usually not military, they would not be ordinarily eligible for disability benefits from the VA. They may have been previously eligible for benefits through Medicaid or other programs. The VA has since established the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program to assist family members in getting medical help for 15 specified related illnesses.

Additionally, The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 provides the families of veterans a way to file their own claims and receive care and compensation for the illnesses and injuries they suffered.

Why File A Claim?

As a non-military resident, you would not be qualified to recover any compensation through the VA as a service member would despite being made ill by the contaminated water. You may or may not have had healthcare coverage when you were diagnosed and may have had to shoulder the costs yourself or turn to Medicaid or Medicare for your healthcare needs.

Filing a claim will allow you to recover the costs of your medical care, lost wages, as well as losses on behalf of children who were sickened by the toxic water. If your military family member has since passed away from the illnesses from the water contamination, you may also be able to file a wrongful death claim to recover financial losses.

The Navy’s Judge Advocate General (JAG) office has a website with information on filing a claim. Those who previously filed related lawsuits and saw them dismissed under the Federal Tort Claims Act must re-file their claims to have them considered under the Camp Lejeune Act.

Qualifying for a Camp Lejeune claim as non-military

Just as you would if you were applying for disability, you will be required to submit documentation that not only shows that you were at Camp Lejeune, but your relationship with a service member. This can include:

• Marriage certificate
• Birth certificate
• Adoption papers
• Other related documents showing a familial relationship (i.e., parents or other dependents)

You will also need to show your dates of residence at Camp Lejeune and a medical diagnosis of your condition.

Camp Lejeune Claim? Contact The Herren Law Firm Today

Until recently, only veterans could request help through the VA for their medical conditions. After the signing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, family members and civilian workers can now file a claim for compensation due to the harm they suffered from the contaminated water.

If you or someone you know became ill after working or being stationed at Camp Lejeune, contact us immediately for help filing your claim.

We’ve helped over 4,000 people, and we can help you as well. Contact us today by calling (713) 682-8194 or using our online contact form our consultation is free, and you won’t owe us a fee until we win your case.

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