Camp Lejeune: Understanding the Health Risks of Living and Working at a Contaminated Military Base
People living and working at Base Camp Lejeune from the 1950s to the 1980s were potentially exposed to contaminants in the drinking water. This includes benzene, industrial solvents and other chemicals. Claims are still being evaluated, but many health concerns have arisen.
Water contamination can cause serious health problems that should be investigated. If you, or anyone you know, were exposed to Camp Lejeune water, there are a few things to know.
Please continue reading to learn more about this situation.
Presumptive Conditions
Camp Lejeune is a US Marine Corps base camp located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Those who lived there between 1953 and 1987 could very well be at risk of specific health conditions.
These are presumptive conditions since the results still need to be conclusive. If you were exposed to water contamination at this camp, you should seek health care.
Some presumptive conditions include:
- Bladder cancer
- Adult leukemia
- Kidney cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Liver cancer
- Aplastic anemia
- Multiple myeloma
*more medical evidence is needed, but military personnel should get tested for these health risks. This also includes families that may have lived in the camp during that time.
Available Health Care Coverage
The good news about the Camp Lejeune water situation is that veterans DO have health care coverage. This coverage also includes their family members who had contact with the water contamination. Those who want this healthcare coverage must have served at this base camp for at least 30 consecutive days. If you are eligible for this healthcare coverage, then your health care costs may be substituted.
Who Is Covered?
There are limitations to those who can receive this healthcare coverage. You must have been exposed to Camp Lejeune water and a veteran who has been dishonorably discharged will not qualify. Those who may be covered include veterans, reservists, guardsmen, and some military family members.
The 15 covered healthcare conditions that are related to Camp Lejeune are:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility
- Hepatic steatosis
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
Disclaimer
We are still evaluating claims for those injured by the contaminated drinking water at Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune. The toxic water has been linked to cancers, neurological, reproductive and other serious illnesses.
We continue to file claims for our clients who were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Some of your clients may have claims and we would appreciate the opportunity to work with you to evaluate any potential claim and pursue recovery for them.
Potential clients include those who worked, resided, or were otherwise exposed (including in utero exposure) for 30 days or more from August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987. This includes Marines, family members of Marines, or civilians who worked on the base.
