Servicemembers and their families rightfully anticipate that government will place them in safe housing when they are stationed somewhere. The structures should be sound, they should be protected from outside threats, and they should have clean air to breathe and clean water to drink, bathe, cook, and clean with. The servicemembers and their families stationed and working at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987 counted on the government to provide them a safe place to live and raise their families. Sadly, they weren’t provided access to safe water. Instead, they were potentially exposed to drinking water contaminated with industrial solvents, benzene, and other chemicals. The toxic chemicals were found in both Camp Lejeune residential areas and training facilities.
Since then, the contaminated water has been linked to cancers of the kidney, prostate, and rectum, leukemia, and Parkinson’s disease in the people who worked or lived there during that timeframe. Since these links have come to light, the government has taken many steps to help those impacted pay their medical expenses and receive compensation for their damages. Suppose you lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. In that case, you may be eligible to receive benefits or compensation.
However, you must apply and often fight for what you deserve. The best way to do this is to hire an experienced Camp Lejeune attorney from TorkLaw. Our attorneys are well-versed in the qualifications and types of benefits available to victims and their families. We will fight for you to get every possible benefit and the compensation you deserve.
What Caused Camp Lejeune’s Water Contamination?
Officials found that water from at least two of the eight water treatment plants on the base was contaminated. The primary contaminants were volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including:
- Perchloroethylene (PCE), a dry cleaning solvent
- Trichloroethylene (TCE), a degreaser
These chemicals came from a dry cleaning company and were found at levels 240 to 3,4000 times what the government considers safe levels. Other suspected sources of contamination include leaks from underground fuel storage tanks and chemicals used to clean military equipment. Unfortunately, officials identified a total of over 70 chemicals as contaminants at Camp Lejeune and said it was highly contaminated with chlorinated hydrocarbons or solvents.
The Link Between Camp Lejeune and Illness or Disease
Research shows that among the Camp Lejeune civilian workers, higher cumulative exposures to the contaminants resulted in higher rates of cancers of the kidney, prostate, and rectum, leukemia, and Parkinson’s disease. In addition, compared with the Camp Pendleton workers, the Camp Lejeune workers experienced higher death rates for these causes of death:
- Cancers of the female breast, kidney, lung, mouth, prostate, and rectum
- Kidney diseases
- Leukemias
- Multiple myeloma
- Parkinson’s disease
Who is Eligible for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Benefits?
Service members and their families who were stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 might be eligible for benefits if they developed a qualifying condition. However, they must have lived at the base for at least 30 days during this time period.
The water contamination wasn’t limited to servicemembers alone; there are multiple cases in which their spouses and children became ill and even died due to the toxic water exposure. Parties at Camp Lejeune that may be eligible for compensation include:
- Civilian workers
- Residents
- Marines
- Naval personnel
For example, Janey Ensminger grew up on Camp Lejeune and died of cancer at age nine. In 2012, The Janey Ensminger Act was passed in her and her father Jerry’s honor. This is one of many steps the government has taken to protect and help victims since the link between the contamination and the illnesses was established. The legislation authorizes medical care to servicemembers and their family members and applies to as many as 750,000 people.
VA Toxic Exposure Healthcare Benefits: Qualifying Conditions
You may be eligible for reimbursement of your out-of-pocket health care costs that were related to any toxic exposure-related conditions. Toxic exposure healthcare benefits are available for the following qualifying health conditions under several VA government programs:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility
- Hepatic steatosis
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver Cancer
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
However, it’s crucial to note that this is a different list of conditions than the ones the VA considers “presumed disabilities.” Benefits for Camp Lejeune water contamination fall under their own category and include the following eight diseases:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
Currently, only these conditions qualify as there is enough medical and scientific evidence to support their presumptive links to the water contamination. Although, you should keep in mind that the VA will continue to consider applicable new information when and if it becomes available. Just because your condition isn’t on this list now doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t be in the future.
How Much is a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlement Worth?
Victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination can receive two types of compensation. One is for up to $3,000 monthly for those with a 100 percent disability rating. How much each claimant could receive depends on their disability rating and other factors. The other type of compensation is Special Monthly Compensation. This extra compensation is reserved for select cases experiencing the most severe disabilities.
Contact TorkLaw Today for Help with Camp Lejeune Claims
Sadly, far too many Marines have learned they have deadly or disabling conditions after serving their country at Camp Lejeune, only to have the country turn its back on them by denying their disability claims.
If you think you or a loved one might qualify for benefits, or if your benefits were denied, it’s time to seek the help of TorkLaw’s experienced Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers. Suppose our attorneys assess your claim and ascertain that you or your loved one qualifies for benefits. In that case, we will fight so that you can obtain the full and fair compensation you deserve to cover your expenses.
Call TorkLaw at 888.845.9696 or contact us online today. We offer free case consultations, and our experienced and compassionate staff is available to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
