Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Water Contamination--Camp Lejeune
Between 1958 and 1987, the water wells at the United States Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, located in Jacksonville, North Carolina, became tainted with certain industrial solvent compounds. Unknown to the service men and women and their families stationed at Camp Lejeune, they were drinking water that had the potential to cause serious physical harm. Many did not learn until years later that they were exposed to these harmful chemicals.
The Story of Camp Lejeune
The United States Marine Corps Base at Camp Lejeune became the scene of terrible tragedy when industrial solvent compounds such as trichloroehtylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzen and vinyl chloride leaked into potable water piped into homes and buildings at the base. It was later discovered that the cause of the contamination was a waste disposal system that was poorly maintained, which led to leaking into the camp’s water supply sources.
It was not until 1984 that a small group of Marines living on the base began to come forward with stories of health issues, including high rates of common cancers among family members. Investigations revealed that these service men and women, along with their families and loved ones, had been unknowingly consuming the contaminated water, in some cases for years.
Once the knowledge of the water contamination became public, more people began to come forward. Thousands of victims were discovered who had suffered many health issues, including fatal illnesses, due to Camp Lejeune water. Estimates put the number of people who consumed the water during the relevant time period at over 1 million.
In 2022, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was passed. This law allows anyone who spent at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, to file suit against the government and recover relief for damages caused by contaminated drinking water.
How Can I Receive Compensation for a Suspected Camp Lejeune Illness or Injury?
The first step in securing service connection for a suspected Camp Lejeune presumptive condition is to establish that you were a resident of the camp between the relevant dates for at least 30 days. After this, medical tests and other records will be necessary to support your claim.
You may be eligible for disability compensation payments on a presumptive basis if you meet all of these requirements. These requirements apply to Veterans, Reservists, and National Guard members.
Both of these descriptions must be true:
- You served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River, North Carolina, for at least 30 days total between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and
- You didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge when you separated from the military
- And you must have a diagnosis of 1 or more of these presumptive conditions:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
Evidence shows a link between these conditions and exposure to chemicals found in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River during this time.
Additionally, if you meet the service requirements for Camp Lejeune, you may be eligible to enroll in VA health care. If you have any of the 15 covered health conditions listed here, you won’t have to pay a copay for care for that condition.
The 15 covered conditions related to Camp Lejeune are:
- 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
In order to evaluate your case, it is important to speak with an attorney who understands the Camp Lejeune issues and how to protect your claim.
