The water contamination episode at Camp Lejeune has been etched in history as one of a kind. The veterans and military personnel who were located in this region between 1975 and 1985 had a 20% higher risk of developing cancer compared to people living elsewhere. This was asserted by federal officials in a study about the drinking water of this region.
According to these officials, it was one of the biggest studies ever done in the United States to evaluate the cancer risk by comparing a team that lived near the marine base to another group that didn’t. The study revealed that military personnel residing in the U.S. Marine Corps Base were at an increased risk of lung cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, esophagus cancer, throat, and thyroid cancer. The civilians who were stationed here shared the same risk.
In this article, we will discuss the common and new diseases caused by the toxic waters at Camp Lejeune.
A Wide Range of Diseases Caused by the Waters at Camp Lejeune
In January 2024, CNN reported that earlier studies indicated people exposed to the toxic waters in this region are likely to develop specific organ and blood cancers. Almost 70% of these people were estimated to have Parkinson’s disease. There have been several questions about infertility and birth defects caused by the polluted waters as well.
Research launched by the CDC stated that people could develop cancer even after spending over 10 years at the base. The news mentioned veterans Partain and Jerry Ensminger, 71 years old, trying to get the government to identify and compensate for the loss of others who resided here. Ensminger’s wife stayed in this region when she was pregnant with Janey, her second daughter. Unfortunately, they lost their 6-year-old daughter to leukemia.
Even Partain was diagnosed with male breast cancer at 39 years of age. New studies indicate that this rather rare cancer was common in men who have stayed at Camp Lejeune for a long time. A few other new diseases that have been discovered are all myeloid cancers, which comprise a blood cancer named myelodysplastic, polycythemia vera, and myeloproliferative syndromes.
People in this region have also suffered from cancers in the soft tissue, voice box, and marginal B-cell lymphoma. That is not all. Research also shows that the polluted waters have caused non-cancer conditions as well, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and chronic liver disease.
Hence, it is natural for veterans and military personnel to seek Camp Lejeune settlement amounts. That way, they can cover all the losses they have endured.
Camp Lejeune Toxic Waters and Heart Defects: Is There a Link?
Scientific studies have proved that prolonged exposure to toxic waters gives rise to heart defect rates. Congenital heart defects are usually internal issues that are formed by the abnormal formation of blood vessels.
A heart defect is a common birth defect, which affects at least 1 in every 100 newborns. All these conditions will result in multiple health issues that range from mild to severe, comprising developmental and growth delays, heart failure, as well as early death.
Evidence reveals that exposure to specific chemicals in polluted water might heighten the occurrence of congenital heart defects. A chemical that is especially harmful is TCE, which was present in the waters at Camp Lejeune. It is a colorless liquid that gets used as a degreaser and solvent through several manufacturing and industrial procedures.
Studies reveal that if women are exposed to TCE during pregnancy, it can increase the chances of the baby developing congenital heart defects. A few other chemicals that contribute to this condition include benzene and PCE, both of which were detected at Camp Lejeune.
Affected individuals should file a lawsuit and seek the legal compensation that they deserve. The average payout amount for heart defects varies between $250,000 and $500,000. Getting a legal consultation will help you to have a clear idea about this and payouts for other diseases.
Seeking Legal Guidance
If you follow the news, you will realize that there have been delays in Camp Lejeune claim settlements because of a lack of staff and funds. Hence, it is not a smart decision to approach the legal path all by yourself. Having the help of an expert lawyer is necessary.
TorHoerman Law states that you should share your case with a lawyer and allow them to determine whether you qualify to file a lawsuit. Once you do, it is necessary to follow the guidelines they suggest. From collecting the evidence to developing a solid case, they would take charge of everything to ensure the verdict was in your favor.
In conclusion, almost everyone knows the tainted waters at Camp Lejeune were the reason many veterans developed cancer, which led to a poor quality of life. Other than the shared list of cancers, new ailments have been added to the list as well. However, if you or anyone you know has suffered because of the toxic waters, seeking medical and legal aid is essential.
