Did Camp Lejeune Water Cause Neurological Effects?
Possibly, yes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is a link between Camp Lejeune water contamination and neurological effects.
In 2009, research performed by the National Research Council (NRC) confirmed U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water could cause neurobehavioral effects. The study found a link between these health conditions and mixed chemical solvents.
The National Institutes for Health (NIH) explains that neurobehavioral effects involve the central nervous system — including the brain and spinal cord.
Neurobehavioral effects are split into two categories:
- Cognitive Decline — memory problems, headache, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and suicide
- Motor Difficulties — tremors, weakness, difficulty walking, and involuntary movements
Camp Lejeune water contamination and neurological effects are caused by exposure to industrial solvents, fuel, and benzene leaking into the base’s water supply.
The toxic chemicals in these hazardous materials are called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are linked with many health issues.
Anyone who bathed in, drank, or used contaminated Camp Lejeune water between 1953 and 1987 is at risk of neurological effects. If you served on the base for at least 30 days during those years, you may be able to pursue compensation. Learn more with a free case review now.
What Chemicals Were in Camp Lejeune Water?
Since the late 1980s, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has been analyzing Camp Lejeune’s water. It has identified several dangerous chemicals that contaminated the camp’s water for decades.
The chemicals found in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune include:
- Benzene
- Dichloroethylene (DCE)
- Tetrachloroethylene — also known as perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Vinyl chloride
- Other contaminants
The ATSDR discovered that several different sources contaminated the drinking water at Camp Lejeune. These included disposal of toxic water by an off-base dry cleaning business, day-to-day base operations, and an ongoing fuel leak that the U.S. Marine Corps hid for years.
What Camp Lejeune Water Chemicals Are Linked With Neurological Effects?
Studies suggest that TCE and PCE can cause neurological, behavioral, and psychological effects. Because both of these chemicals were present in the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, those exposed could be at risk of neurological effects.
What Neurological Effects Are Linked With Camp Lejeune Water?
The neurological effects of Camp Lejeune water have been studied in depth. Frustratingly, Camp Lejeune contaminated water neurobehavioral effects were not recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for far too long.
Many veterans who suffered from neurological conditions were repeatedly denied VA benefits.
In one denial that was appealed and ultimately granted, a veteran lost awareness and cut off almost all of his fingers on one hand.
“The Veteran had neurobehavioral symptoms including lapses of concentration, abdominal pain issues, fatigue and lack of sweating. He had been evaluated by numerous specialists and has tried multiple different medications with no change in symptoms. On October 14, 2011, the Veteran suffered a sudden lapse of awareness and cut off nearly all digits to his right hand.” — Board of Veterans’ Appeals, 2017
The NRC report included the following Camp Lejeune water neurological symptoms:
- Concentration problems
- Confusion
- Coordination problems
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Learning and behavioral disorders
- Motor function difficulties
- Sensory disturbances
Exposure to solvents is even linked with Parkinson’s disease.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination & Parkinson’s Disease
Camp Lejeune water Parkinson’s disease wasn’t listed as a presumptive disability until 2015. Before that, the government would not acknowledge a link, much to the dismay of those suffering.
“The committee concludes that Parkinson’s disease is a neurobehavioral effect that may have resulted from the consumption of the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.” — Institute of Medicine (IOM), 2015
The signs of Parkinson’s disease tend to be different for everyone affected. In the early stages, there may be no noticeable symptoms. As the disease advances, one side of the body often gets worse.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include:
- Contracted muscles that cause stiffness
- Difficulty writing
- Impaired posture, balance, and coordination
- Involuntary blinking and smiling
- Rigid muscles
- Slowed movement
- Speech changes
- Stooped posture
- Tremors in the hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head
If you or a loved one developed Parkinson’s disease after living or working at Camp Lejeune, file your claim today. Even if you are already collecting VA disability benefits, you may be newly eligible to receive financial compensation.
What Other Health Issues Did Camp Lejeune Water Cause?
Health problems caused by chemical exposure depend on various factors. These include the amount of chemical exposure, how you were exposed, and how long you were exposed.
Because of these different factors, the actual health impact of Camp Lejeune toxic water is not fully understood. That said, there are eight conditions that the VA recognizes as qualifying illnesses.
Camp Lejeune contamination health conditions include:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
Other health effects caused by Camp Lejeune water include heart disease, scleroderma, renal toxicity, birth defects, female infertility, and miscarriage.
Thankfully, with the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, all victims of the toxic water — no matter their health condition — may soon be able to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.
Can I File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Neurological Effects Lawsuit?
Possibly, yes. If you suffer from neurological effects and lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from 1953 to 1987, you may be able to file a lawsuit. This includes family members who visited the base for 30 days or more, even if those days were not consecutive (back-to-back).
Is There a Time Limit to File a Camp Lejeune Claim?
Yes, there will likely be strict time limits to file a Camp Lejeune claim. This is why it is very important to act without delay.
There are also laws called statutes of limitations that place deadlines around how long you have to take legal action. The laws vary by state, and if you fail to take action within the allotted time frame, you will be forever barred from doing so.
Because of these time limits, it is critical to hire a Camp Lejeune lawyer you can trust to handle your claim efficiently and effectively.
Find a Camp Lejeune Neurological Effects Law Firm
Skilled law firms can help you and your family get compensation for neurological effects linked to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The best Camp Lejeune contaminated water law firms are personal injury firms involved in the fight to get justice for Camp Lejeune water supply victims.
The best Camp Lejeune water law firms also have:
- Experience handling toxic exposure lawsuits
- Experience with class actions or mass tort litigation
- National reach
- VA-accredited attorneys on staff
Get connected with a top Camp Lejeune neurological effects law firm now. Camp Lejeune Claims Center helps victims in all 50 states, and we will never charge upfront costs.
Our trained Camp Lejeune claims advocates are available 24 hours a day to help determine if you have a claim. Contact us now at (866) 473-4764 to speak with an advocate.
