Various hazardous chemicals were in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune for several decades, tests show. Service members and their families stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987 faced exposure to these toxins. Medical professionals associate these chemicals with several major health risks.
You can review the specific chemicals found in the water, their health effects, and your options to secure compensation if you – or a family member – suffered because of exposure. If you want to explore pursuing a claim for damages, you can reach out to the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine for a free consultation.
What Contaminants Existed in the Water at Camp Lejeune?
Individuals living around Camp Lejeune from the 1950s to the late 1980s faced exposure to five major chemicals. These chemicals included:
Tetrachloroethylene/Perchloroethylene (PCE)
PCE represented the primary water contaminant at Camp Lejeune. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists a maximum safe contamination level of 5 parts per billion (μg/L) for PCE in water.
During the decades of contamination at Camp Lejeune, the water contained 215 μg/L, well exceeding the safe threshold for exposure to this chemical.
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
Over time, PCE breaks down into several other chemicals, including TCE. TCE remained in the water supply around Camp Lejeune as PCE in the water broke down. The EPA gives 5 μg/L as the maximum acceptable concentration for this compound.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), TCE reached 1,400 μg/L in the water around Camp Lejeune in 1982.
Trans 1,2-Dichloroethylene (DCE)
DCE represents another byproduct of the breakdown of PCE. Specialists detected DCE at 407 μg/L in 1985, far above safe levels for human consumption.
Benzene
Many industries use benzene when making synthetic fibers, resins, plastics, and nylon. You can also find it in the production process for pesticides, rubbers, dyes, and lubricants. The experts found this chemical in the water around Camp Lejeune.
Vinyl Chloride (VC)
The experts also detected vinyl chloride (VC), a colorless gas that becomes a liquid at low temperatures, around Camp Lejeune. VC forms when PCE and TCE break down.
What Are the Results of Camp Lejeune’s Water Contaminants?
Individuals living and serving at Camp Lejeune for even a short time faced exposure to numerous dangerous chemicals. While not everyone who served in the area during the time of contamination experienced health repercussions, many people have.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) lists the following ailments as common results of exposure to these chemicals:
- Miscarriage
- Infertility
- Hepatic steatosis
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
Additionally, these chemicals can lead to many forms of cancer, including:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Lung cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Individuals who developed these conditions after spending time at Camp Lejeune during the contamination period may have options to secure compensation to cover their medical expenses and other losses.
Who Can Seek Compensation for Conditions Caused By Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?
The government has decided to provide compensation for eligible parties who developed medical conditions due to exposure to contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune. Some individuals may claim disability, while others receive health care benefits.
You may request disability benefits if you:
- Served at either Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River
- For a minimum of 30 consecutive days
- From August 1953 to December 1987
- You were honorably discharged
Additionally, you can only qualify for disability if you developed specific conditions due to exposure to contaminated water. The government offers disability to individuals who develop aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes, Parkinson’s disease, or the following cancers:
- Adult leukemia
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
The government offers disability benefits to reservists, guardsmen, and veterans.
How Can You Secure Camp Lejeune Disability Benefits?
If you qualify to receive disability benefits due to dangerous chemical exposure at Camp Lejeune, you’ll need to file a claim for compensation. In your claim, you need to provide documentation showing:
- That you served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River during the specified period
- That you developed one of the covered medical conditions
Once you have your documentation, you may file your claim online or at a regional VA office. You may also reach out to an accredited representative for help filing a claim to seek compensation. A lawyer with our firm who handles Camp Lejeune cases can help you review your options.
Can Family Members of U.S. Veterans Seek Compensation?
Family members who experience medical issues as a result of exposure to dangerous chemicals at Camp Lejeune also have the chance to secure compensation for their losses. However, family members have to provide additional documentation to seek damages.
Before filing a claim for compensation, make sure you have documents showing:
A Relationship With a U.S. Veteran
You must show a connection to a U.S. veteran who lived and served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River. Possible documents include:
- Birth certificates
- Adoption papers
- Marriage licenses
You Lived at MCAS New River Or Camp Lejeune
You must also provide documents to show that you physically resided at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River. You could provide tax forms, base housing records, or even utility bills to establish your residence.
Your Medical Condition
Finally, you must provide official medical documentation of your health condition. You may only receive compensation if you experience one of the conditions associated with the chemicals found on the water at Camp Lejeune.
Limits of Compensation for Drinking Water Contamination
Note that the government does place certain limits on the compensation you can receive due to conditions caused by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Currently, the government offers compensation for treatment only for specific periods.
You can discuss the specifics of your situation when you reach out to a lawyer for professional assistance.
Call Us Today About a Camp Lejeune Drinking Water Contamination Lawsuit
What was in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune? Service members and their families living in the area may have been exp to PCE, TCE, DCE, VC, and benzene. These chemicals can cause cancer and other dangerous conditions.
If you were exposed to any of these chemicals and want legal advice, you can reach out to our team at the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine. Call us or complete our online contact form to learn more.
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