One of the more obvious indicators of water contamination at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune has been the prevalent health conditions that resulted from exposure to high levels of toxins. More than 1 million people spent 30 days or more at the base from 1953 through 1987.
Thousands of these former residents have dealt with the chronic health issues that resulted from toxic exposures.
These residents were military personnel, their families, and civilian workers employed in non-military occupations on the premises, such as the Commissary and PX. During the affected period, research showed that Camp Lejeune residents were found to have illnesses like cancer at a much higher rate than residents at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton in California.
The primary chemicals were perchloroethylene (PCE) and trichloroethylene (TCE), with a host of others including benzene, toluene, methylene chloride, and vinyl chloride, as well as leaking fuel from storage tanks. Continued exposure to large amounts of these substances in drinking water led to chronic health issues in residents both during their time at the base and long after they left.
Camp Lejeune Health Issues
Presumptive Illnesses
The chemicals that leak into the water supply are linked to a variety of health issues, including cancers, organ damage, reproductive issues, and cognitive illnesses. The VA lists eight presumptive illnesses, that is, Camp Lejeune health issues that are presumed to be a result of toxic exposure:
• Adult leukemia
• Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
• Bladder cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Liver cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease
These are the initial illnesses that have been shown as caused by exposure to these toxic substances, and you must be diagnosed with one or more of them. For VA claims, you would not have to prove that the illness is service-related, because it’s presumed to be service-related.
Non-Presumptive Linked Illnesses
These Camp Lejeune health issues are not presumptive but may also be considered caused by toxic water exposure:
• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Female infertility
• Hepatic steatosis
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Lung cancer
• Miscarriage
• Multiple myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Neurobehavioral effects
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Renal toxicity
• Scleroderma
The VA may offer reimbursement for healthcare for these conditions. This includes children who were at Camp Lejeune, either in utero (pregnancy) or after birth. Pregnant women faced a significantly higher rate of miscarriage and stillborn births as well as neural tube birth defects like spina bifida.
Herren Law Can Help if You Have a Camp Lejeune Claim
Even if we’ve helped you before with another VA disability claim, we can help you with filing a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
If you or a loved one were exposed to the water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987 and were later diagnosed with one of the Camp Lejeune health issues, you may be entitled to compensation.
Let us review your situation and see if you meet the eligibility criteria under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. The Herren Law Firm stands ready to help. Call The Herren Law Firm today at 713-682-8194 (or use our online contact form) to schedule your free consultation. There’s no obligation, and we’ll take your case on a contingency fee basis, with no up-front charges.
