Drinking water contamination at Camp Lejeune exposed thousands of service members and their families to disease-causing substances from the early 1950s through the late 1980s.
If you suffer from multiple myeloma, it could be because of the water contamination at Camp Lejeune. As a result, you may qualify for disability benefits, health care coverage, and other types of compensation for your illness. Our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers can fight for fair compensation.
What Contaminated the Water at Camp Lejeune?
According to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in 1985, the military shut down two water wells at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina because they contained trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride, benzene, and other harmful compounds. The contamination stemmed from on-base industrial activities, leaking storage tanks, and an off-base dry cleaning company.
Exposed Veterans Qualify for Disability Benefits
It is scientifically and medically accepted that the substances found in the water at Camp Lejeune cause multiple myeloma and other illnesses. Because of this established link, Veterans who served 30 days or more at Camp Lejeune from August 1953 through December 1987 and have one of the following conditions automatically qualify for disability benefits through VA:
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Bladder cancer
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Adult leukemia
When you apply for benefits, you will need to provide VA with proof you served during the specified time (and did not get dishonorably discharged) and evidence you have multiple myeloma or another one of the eight conditions presumed to be caused by the contaminated water.
If you served at Camp Lejeune and have a medical condition linked to compounds found in the drinking water, you can apply for benefits even if it is not a presumptive condition. However, you may need to supply additional evidence showing your illness is service-related. An attorney with our firm can help you support your claim.
You and Your Family Can Get Medical Coverage for Multiple Myeloma and More
Veterans, as well as dependent family members, can receive medical coverage at no charge for multiple myeloma and 14 other conditions resulting from water contamination at Camp Lejeune, including:
- Kidney cancer
- Lung cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Adult leukemia
- Miscarriage
- Female infertility
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Hepatic steatosis
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
To qualify for medical benefits, family members must provide:
- Medical evidence showing you have one of the 15 qualifying conditions
- Proof you lived at Camp Lejeune for 30 or more days from August 1953 to December 1987
- Evidence of your relationship to a veteran who served at Camp Lejeune during the specified time
You Can Also Recover Past Medical Expenses
Family members who qualify for health care coverage can also seek reimbursement for previous medical expenses related to their contamination illness. VA will compensate you for your out-of-pocket expenses for up to two years before the date of your application for benefits. We can help you collect and submit proof of your treatment costs.
You May Be Able to Seek Compensation in Court
There is a bill currently in Congress that will allow contamination victims to bring legal action in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Once passed, Veterans and family members who suffered exposure will have two years or 180 days after receiving a denial of their application to file their case under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022.
We can help you prepare and file a case to recover:
- Past health care costs, including diagnostic testing, medical procedures, and doctor bills
- Current and future medical expenses, including medications, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy
- Loss of income, including loss of benefits, retirement, savings, and future earning capacity
- Compensation for the wrongful death of a loved one
We Can Assist with Your Multiple Myeloma Claim
We want to make sure you and your family receive the benefits and compensation you deserve. Our team can:
- Collect and file necessary documents, including medical records, marriage licenses, birth certificates, and proof of residency
- Obtain evidence to support your claims if your Camp Lejeune contamination illness is not a presumptive condition
- Review your initial claims applications and appeal denials
- Represent you during appeals proceedings if necessary
- Prepare your case for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit
- Calculate your contamination exposure damages
- Fight for you in court if needed
Our Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyers Provide Client-Focused Legal Care
We understand that every case is unique. After suffering multiple myeloma from Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water, your condition will cause unique losses. You expect your doctor to prescribe an individualized treatment plan. When you choose to work with our Camp Lejeune water contamination attorneys, we will provide you with personalized legal care, as well. Your case will never be just another file on a desk.
We tailor our legal strategy to suit each client’s individual needs. This way, we can determine the best approach for seeking fair compensation. We also make ourselves available to answer questions and keep you informed about your case.
Reach Out to Ben Crump Law, PLLC for a Free Case Review
Ben Crump Law, PLLC, has a national reputation for giving a voice to victims of injustice. If you or your loved one suffers from multiple myeloma or another Camp Lejeune contamination condition, we can take your case at no upfront cost to you. We work on contingency, meaning we only collect a fee if we secure benefits or compensation for you.
To learn more, call us today for a free consultation.
