Camp Lejeune is a Marine Corps base located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Between 1953 and 1987, the drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with dangerous, toxic chemical compounds. An estimated 1 million service members and their loved ones were exposed to contaminated water during those 30 years, including children and babies in utero. Were you exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune? Have you developed cancer or another chronic condition? In that case, you may be entitled to compensation through a legal claim against the federal government.
Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Linked to Cancer and Other Chronic Conditions
The toxic chemicals found in water at Camp Lejeune include vinyl chloride, benzene, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene (TCE), and others. These chemicals have been linked to multiple serious health concerns, including:
- Liver cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (a cancer of the lymphatic system)
- Multiple myeloma (cancer of the body’s plasma cells)
- Leukemia (cancer of the blood)
- Lung cancer
- Brain cancer
- Thyroid cancer
- Esophageal cancer
Cancer is a significant concern for those who have suffered toxic exposure to the water at Camp Lejeune. However, cancer is not the only type of serious illness that researchers have linked to the toxic compounds found in the water. Other health concerns and issues include the following:
- Scleroderma
- Nephrotoxicity is a type of damage to the kidneys
- Parkinson's disease
- Aplastic anemia
- Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
- Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver syndrome)
- Cardiac defects
- Neurobehavioral disorders
Miscarriage and Birth Defects
The contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has also been linked to fertility issues and miscarriages. When pre-born babies are exposed to contaminated water, it can cause a wide range of congenital disabilities. Exposure to contaminated water has also been linked to high childhood cancer rates. Unfortunately, children exposed to contaminated water have died at a young age, likely because of the toxic effects of the chemicals found in the water.
New Federal Legislation Protects Veterans and Family Members
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was recently signed into law as part of the bi-partisan Honoring Our PACT Act. This critical law makes it easier for individuals injured by contaminated Camp Lejeune drinking water to obtain compensation for their injuries and seek justice for the wrong that has been done against them. The attorneys at Blumenshine Law Group have been carefully monitoring federal legislation related to contaminated Camp Lejeune water. We are prepared to help you file a claim and pursue the compensation you and your loved ones deserve.
What are My Legal Rights?
Now that the Camp Lejeune Justice Act has been signed into law, qualifying veterans and their family members exposed to contaminated water have a right to bring a claim for personal injury and wrongful death. As a claimant, you must show that you were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1st, 1953, and December 31st, 1987. You also need to show that you have suffered harm as a result. Suppose you have one of the medical conditions listed above or another chronic medical condition. In that case, it's worth discussing your case with an attorney to see if you are eligible for compensation.
Compensation Available
As a victim of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation for the following types of damages:
- Past, current, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Loss of society and companionship
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation with an Experienced Attorney
Despite knowing that the water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated and dangerous, the military continued to allow service members and their family members to be exposed to the water. Suppose you previously were stationed at or worked at Camp Lejeune as a civilian, and you have been diagnosed with an illness linked to toxic exposure to chemicals. In that case, you must discuss your case with an attorney as soon as possible.
Navigating the claims process is difficult, especially while coping with a serious medical condition. The attorneys at Blumenshine Law Group will carefully evaluate your case and help you understand your options. We will handle every aspect of your case from start to finish so you can focus on your medical treatment. Our law firm has a proven track record of obtaining significant compensation on behalf of clients. Text or call the Blumenshine Law Group today at [email protected] or (312)766-1000 to schedule a complimentary consultation with one of our skilled attorneys.