Multiple sources likely contributed to the leaching of toxic chemicals into the groundwater at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987, including spills at industrial sites, leaking storage tanks and drums, and improper dumping from an off-base dry cleaner.
The chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs), made their way into nearby water treatment plants that supplied drinking water to the base, including
Many of the chemicals in Camp Lejeune water have been linked to serious health hazards, including cancers, neurological disorders, infertility, and birth defects.
The water at Camp Lejeune was found to contain dangerous chemicals called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Some of the VOCs that were contaminating the water supply at Camp Lejeune include:
According to the ATSDR, a person’s risk of becoming ill from water contaminated with VOCs depends on factors such as:
As part of its 2017 assessment, ATSDR assessed the average marine’s exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune:
“A marine in training at Camp Lejeune consumes an estimated 6 liters of water per day for three days per week and 3 liters a day the rest of the week. Under warm weather conditions, a marine may consume between 1 and 2 quarts of water per hour and shower twice a day. It is likely during training, the water supplied in the field came from the Hadnot Point water system with both measured and estimated levels of TCE and PCE substantially higher than their MCLs (maximum contaminant levels).”
ATSDR continues to investigate the health effects of the contaminants in Camp Lejeune water on humans and links this exposure to several cancers, neurological disorders, fertility issues, and birth defects.
One study by ATSDR is the Cancer Incidence Study, which seeks to determine whether residential or workplace exposures to drinking water contaminants at Camp Lejeune are associated with increased risk of specific cancers in military personnel and civilian employees.
The study involves Marine and Naval personnel who began service from 1975 to 1985 and were stationed at Camp Lejeune anytime during this period, as well as civilian employees who worked at the base anytime during October 1972 and December 1985. These servicemembers will be compared with a control group from Camp Pendleton. There was no contaminated water at Camp Pendleton.
These individuals and this time frame were identified because personnel data necessary to determine base location are not available before these years. However, the findings from this study will also apply to people who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune before the study years.
Researchers didn’t contact study participants. Rather, they got information on cancer rates through the federal and state cancer registries.
According to a November 2023 Reuters report, the findings were submitted in April 2023, but ATSDR has yet to release it. According to an epidemiologist familiar with the research, the study increases the number of cancers linked to the drinking water on the base. According to the article, “The findings also provide the strongest evidence to date that the contaminated water caused cancer.”
Since 2012, the Veterans Administration has provided cost-free health care for Veterans with certain conditions who served at least 30 days of active duty at Camp Lejeune during the 34-year qualifying period. Family members of Veterans who lived on the base during this time are also eligible for reimbursement for out-of-pocket medical expenses related to the same health conditions.
Qualifying health conditions include:
The VA also presumes service connection to qualifying Veterans with the following conditions:
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, signed into law on August 10, 2022, also cleared the way for Veterans, family members, and civilian workers who were exposed to Camp Lejeune contaminated water and developed certain health conditions to seek compensation for the harm they suffered. They can now file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit against the U.S. government seeking compensation for medical bills, lost income and wages, and pain and suffering damages.
For nearly 35 years, military Veterans and their families stationed at Camp Lejeune were exposed to toxic chemicals in the drinking water on the base. However, healthcare benefits have only been available for the illnesses caused by exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune since 2012.
Now, those affected may be eligible to seek compensation for their medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. But time is running out. Camp Lejeune lawsuits must be filed by August 10, 2024.
If you or a loved one served at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987 and were diagnosed with cancer or another qualifying disease, the VA disability lawyers at Berry Law can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us at today (888)682-0751 or through our online form to discuss your case.
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