If you were a service member at Camp Lejeune who subsequently developed renal toxicity, you might have the right to compensation and benefits for your damages.
You can get help accessing the compensation that is rightfully yours when you contact a Camp Lejeune lawsuit attorney at Ben Crump Law, PLLC. Schedule your free consultation today to find out what’s next for your case.
How did Camp Lejeune Become Contaminated?
The base at Camp Lejeune included a dry cleaning company. The company introduced chemicals into the water supply at up to 3,400 times the levels considered safe for human consumption. As a result, military service members, civilian workers, and their families suffered devastating injury and illness from exposure to these toxic chemicals by drinking and bathing in contaminated water.
Studies have shown that high concentrations of these toxic chemicals cause debilitating health conditions, including:
- Kidney dysfunction
- Liver damage
- Lung irritation
- Cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Infertility and miscarriage
- Hepatic steatosis
- Neurobehavioral effects
Contamination of the water at Camp Lejeune began in the early 1950s and ended with the removal of the contaminated wells in 1985, although exposure continued until 1987. This contamination means generations of service members and their families stationed at Camp Lejeune suffered exposure to dangerous levels of toxic chemicals.
What Chemicals Were Found in Camp Lejeune’s Water?
The water at Camp Lejeune contained two primary types of toxic chemicals. These volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
Dry cleaners used both of these carcinogenic chemicals as degreasers and solvents. Unfortunately, studies have linked them to various conditions, including Hodgkin’s disease, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and kidney damage.
Individuals exposed to PCE may develop various renal diseases, including renal toxicity. Therefore, if you developed renal toxicity after being stationed at Camp Lejeune or adjoining military stations, you might have the right to financial compensation and benefits.
Who Is Entitled to Benefits for Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune?
Military service members and their families stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 who subsequently developed medical conditions related to the water contamination may qualify for healthcare benefits and compensation.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has determined that nearly one million military service members and their spouses and children suffered exposure to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water. As a result, many have developed devastating illnesses or passed away from medical conditions related to exposure to these toxic chemicals.
Qualifying for VA Disability Benefits After Camp Lejeune Contamination
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides free healthcare and disability benefits to service members and their families stationed at Camp Lejeune under a 2012 law establishing a presumptive service connection. Thus, to qualify for VA benefits for Camp Lejeune water contamination, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- You did not receive a dishonorable discharge upon separation from the military
- You served a minimum of 30 consecutive days at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987
- You were diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition related to Camp Lejeune water contamination
The VA has established a long list of medical conditions that qualify veterans, reservists, and National Guard members exposed to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water. Those include:
- Cancer
- Renal toxicity
- Multiple myeloma
- Female infertility
- Parkinson’s disease
- Scleroderma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Fatty liver disease
- Neurobehavioral effects
Your attorney can help you explore your legal options further after examining the circumstances of your case. For example, under a recently passed law, you might qualify to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for a deceased loved one.
How to File a Camp Lejeune Contamination Claim for VA Disability Benefits
If you qualify for VA disability benefits due to renal toxicity caused by water contamination at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages and coverage of your healthcare expenses. To file a claim for VA disability benefits, you can reach out to your attorney for help ensuring you complete your completely and accurately.
Our team will be sure to include all relevant information and evidence that connects your illness to Camp Lejeune water contamination, including your medical bills and records and service records.
Compensation for Renal Toxicity Following Camp Lejeune Exposure
Scientific evidence has tied exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune with kidney dysfunction. When exposed to these toxic chemicals, the kidneys no longer can function properly. Thus, if you or a family member was stationed at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987 for a minimum of 30 consecutive days, you may be entitled to compensation after developing renal toxicity.
A recently passed law allows affected military personnel and their family members to file suit in the Eastern District of North Carolina to recover compensation for various economic and noneconomic damages caused by your exposure, including:
- Medical expenses
- Medical equipment fees
- Loss of income
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
Our team has studied this new law to determine how Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water exposure victims can recover the compensation they need. We can discuss your legal options during a free consultation.
Contact a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Attorney for Help Today
If you have dealt with renal toxicity or another debilitating medical condition after exposure to toxic chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation and other benefits.
You can get help pursuing your case when you contact a Camp Lejeune lawsuit lawyer at Ben Crump Law, PLLC. Our firm is proud to offer no-cost, risk-free consultations to Camp Lejeune water contamination victims across the country. So, take advantage of this opportunity by completing our convenient contact form or calling our office.
