Camp Geiger is located in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and was a training facility for the United States Marine Corps. It was also part of Camp Lejeune, which recently became the center of a major water contamination scandal.
Between 1953 and 1987, toxic chemicals were dumped at Camp Lejeune; these chemicals seeped into the water supply and contaminated the drinking water used by military personnel and their families. Many people who lived and worked there during those years developed serious illnesses due to the contamination, and some have even died as a result. The government failed to compensate Camp Lejeune water contamination victims adequately, but this is changing. People who served or lived at Camp Geiger may also be eligible for assistance if they develop a qualifying illness.
Contaminants in the Water
The water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with several different chemicals, including trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, fluorene, benzene, and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (commonly known as DDT). The water at Camp Geiger was deemed safe, although some contaminants were found in the water—but not at the same levels as the chemicals found in the water at Camp Lejeune.
Vinyl chloride was a contaminant found at Camp Lejeune in the 1980s. Vinyl chloride is a chemical used in the production of PVC plastic; it has been linked to liver cancer, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers it a human carcinogen. In 2012, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) also reported that exposure to vinyl chloride in drinking water increases the risk of liver cancer.
The water contamination at Camp Lejeune was a tragedy, with thousands of Marines and their families exposed to vinyl chloride.
Fluorene (or 9H-Fluorene) is an organic compound that is a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons has been linked to an increased risk of cancer. Animal studies showed that exposure to fluorene can cause liver, kidney, and lung tumors.
Fluorene was one of the contaminants found in the water at Camp Geiger, and you may have been exposed to this chemical if you were stationed at Camp Geiger between 1953 and 1987. The EPA set a maximum contaminant level goal of 0.07 ppb (parts per billion) for fluorine in drinking water. The ATSDR found that levels of fluorene in drinking water at Camp Lejeune exceeded this limit.
This chemical was used in the drycleaning industry and as a metal degreaser, and is a known carcinogen linked to kidney cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. These diseases have been found in people exposed to trichloroethylene in drinking water.
The EPA set this chemical’s maximum contaminant level goal at zero because it is so dangerous. Even low levels of exposure can cause serious health problems.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) formally recognized that exposure to this chemical can cause these cancers–veterans exposed to this chemical while serving at Camp Geiger may be eligible for benefits. If you served at Camp Geiger and have been diagnosed with cancer, contact a lawyer to help you find out how to file a claim for Camp Lejeune water contamination.
Steps to Take to Apply for Benefits
If you were living or working at Camp Lejeune or Camp Geiger between 1953 and 1987, you may have been exposed to contaminated water; the United States government acknowledged the problem and set up a program to help those affected. If you think you may have been exposed, here are a few things you can do to file a claim:
1. Confirm You Were at Camp Lejeune
You must prove that you were stationed at Camp Lejeune during the relevant period. The VA set up a web page with instructions on how to obtain your service records.
2. Share Medical Records Proving Illness
After you’ve confirmed that you were there at Camp Lejeune, share any medical records proving you got sick. This is important because it will help prove that your current health problems are related to water contamination. Be sure to include as much detail as possible, including dates of treatment, diagnoses, and other relevant information. Again, the more information you can provide, the better.
3. File a Veteran Affairs Claim
File a disability claim with the VA by providing a copy of your DD-214 or other discharge papers. You can file the claim online on the official VA website or by mailing the necessary forms.
4. Wait for VA to Process the Claim
It takes an average of 125 days for the VA to finalize a claim. If you are eligible for disability benefits, back pay, and healthcare, the VA will contact you to schedule an appointment. The Department of Defense may also contact you if your claim is related to service at Camp Lejeune.
5. Find a Lawyer and File a Lawsuit
If you are denied benefits, find a lawyer specializing in these cases. The lawyer can help you navigate the appeals process and ensure you have the best chance of winning your case. If approved, the lawyer can also help you get the maximum benefits you are entitled to.
While Camp Geiger is part of Camp Lejeune, the water contamination at Camp Geiger was not as severe as at the main base and was determined to be safe for consumption, and the base was closed in 2014 due to budget cuts. If you are a veteran who served at Camp Geiger, you may still be eligible for benefits from the VA. If you have any questions, reach out to a qualified attorney at Strom Law–we’re ready to help you get the justice you deserve.