What Are the Symptoms of Illnesses Caused by Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
From the 1950s to the 1980s, nearly one million people were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune’s Marine Corps base in North Carolina. The toxins in the water in which these service members and their families drank, washed, and cooked constitute one of the worst water contamination issues in U.S. history. Anyone stationed at Camp Lejeune during this 35-year period is presumed to have been exposed to this toxic water. Contaminants include benzene, vinyl chloride, the dry cleaning agent perchloroethylene, and trichloroethylene, a metal degreaser. The level of these volatile organic compounds at Camp Lejeune may have exceeded safety standards by as much as 3400 percent. Contamination was so widespread that the VA created the Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 and VA Rule 38 CFR 3.
While Camp Lejeune water contamination is linked to various types of cancers, it is also associated with neurobehavioral effects. A Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit can help you receive the VA disability benefits you deserve or healthcare benefits for your loved ones.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Diseases
Water contamination at Camp Lejeune is linked to the following types of cancer:
- Bladder
- Breast
- Esophageal
- Kidney
- Leukemia
- Liver
- Lung
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
In addition, Camp Lejeune water contamination is associated with miscarriage, hepatic steatosis, scleroderma, kidney failure, female infertility, aplastic anemia, and Parkinson’s disease.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Symptoms
Neurobehavioral effects linked to Camp Lejeune water contamination differ from a straightforward cancer or other diagnoses. These conditions relate to the central nervous system and subsequent behaviors. Symptoms and conditions may include:
- Confusion
- Dementia
- Depression
- Difficulty concentrating
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Incoordination
- Insomnia
- Memory loss
- Motor issues
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Children exposed to contaminated water during this period may develop hyperactivity and behavioral problems. While many diseases and conditions associated with Camp Lejeune contaminated water did not manifest for decades after exposure, behavioral problems in affected children are the canary in the coal mine. These are now believed to be among the earliest symptoms to appear.
Further VA Reviews Expected
The VA continues to review relevant information concerning diseases relating to Camp Lejeune contaminated water as that information becomes available. Those veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune during this period who are experiencing other health conditions that are potentially connected to contaminated water exposure should contact their primary care provider and file a claim.
Contact an Attorney at Douglas & London
If you are a veteran, civilian, or family member who was stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987 for at least 30 days and has been diagnosed with one of the presumptive list of Camp Lejeune diseases, find out if you qualify for a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit by contacting an experienced attorney at Douglas & London. Contact us 24/7 to schedule a free consultation and evaluation. Family members and civilians are not eligible to receive VA disability but may receive healthcare benefits. The VA’s list of disability-related conditions is not the same as those eligible for healthcare benefits.
We can also help veterans whose disability benefits related to Camp Lejeune water contamination were denied. Hablamos Espanol.
