The water contamination at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, which occurred from the 1950s to the 1980s, is associated with several health problems. If you or an immediate family member has been affected by the incident, you may be able to file a lawsuit against the government.
Here’s what you need to know about filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit:
Cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of death in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 1.9 million new cancer cases were diagnosed in the country in 2021, along with 608,570 cancer deaths.
The water contamination at Camp Lejeune has been linked to various forms of cancer, including breast, ovarian, and kidney cancers.
A study conducted by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) concluded that Marines who lived at Camp Lejeune between 1957 and 1987 had an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer.
Another study found that children exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune were more likely than unexposed children to develop leukemia later in life.
Male Reproductive Problems
According to the National Library of Medicine (NIH), the estimated male infertility rate in the U.S. is between 4.5% to 6%.
Male reproductive problems, such as low sperm count or decreased fertility, are one of the common types of Camp Lejeune water contamination injuries.
The men who were exposed to toxic chemicals at Camp Lejeune suffer from reduced sperm volume and quality. The number of affected children could be even higher since it takes several generations for male infertility to show up in a family tree.
Female Reproductive Problems
The water contamination at Camp Lejeune has been linked to increased female reproductive health conditions like:
- Birth defects. The CDC reports that birth defects increase with increasing drinking water exposure.
- Miscarriage. The CDC found that women who lived at Camp Lejeune for more than 1 year had quadruple the chance of miscarriage compared to other women who didn’t live there. And this was after adjusting for other factors that could influence miscarriage rates like age.
- Premature births. Women who were exposed during pregnancy are twice as likely to give birth prematurely than women not exposed while pregnant.
Neurological Problems
Neurological problems are a common symptom of Camp Lejeune water contamination. A neurological problem is any condition of the brain or nervous system that impairs function. Symptoms include tremors, slowness of movement, rigidity, and balance problems.
Many veterans who served at Camp Lejeune during the years when toxic chemicals were released into the water supply reported experiencing neurological issues shortly after their service ended.
Autoimmune Disorders
Autoimmune disorders are diseases in which the immune system attacks healthy cells. According to the Mayo Clinic, autoimmune disorders can be caused by exposure to chemicals and environmental toxins, bacteria, or viruses.
Exposure to Camp Lejeune water contamination is a known cause of several types of autoimmune diseases including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and scleroderma.
Gastrointestinal Diseases
You may be able to file a lawsuit if you are experiencing gastrointestinal problems from Camp Lejeune water contamination. The symptoms of gastrointestinal disease include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.
According to the CDC, these symptoms can occur even after exposure has ended, so you must find out when your symptoms began.
When Can You File a Lawsuit
If you or an immediate family member has been negatively affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune, consider filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
The drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with several harmful chemicals for decades, and many people have suffered because of this. This is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. And not just on behalf of military veterans and their families, but also of civilians exposed to the contaminated water.
People need to know that they can get help if they have been negatively affected by this contamination. Currently, there is an ongoing class action lawsuit filed on behalf of individuals injured by contaminated marine base water against the U.S. government, seeking claims against their damages.
Conclusion
If you believe that your health problems are related to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune, it is important to speak with a lawyer who is experienced in handling these types of cases. They can review your case and help you determine if you are eligible to file a lawsuit.