About Camp Lejeune Water Contamination & Renal Toxicity
From 1953 to 1987, the water supply at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base in North Carolina contained dangerous levels of toxic chemicals.
Camp Lejeune water contamination stemmed from a nearby dry cleaning business, everyday activities on the base, and a fuel spill that seeped into the Camp Lejeune water supply. For years, the severity of these issues was minimized by government authorities.
Tragically, the water contamination at Camp Lejeune resulted in serious health conditions, including an increased likelihood of renal toxicity in service members, civilian workers, and their family members who resided or worked on the base.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), contaminants in the water were volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and solvents, such as trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and more.
Victims who were exposed to these dangerous substances and later developed renal toxicity may be entitled to financial compensation. However, it’s important to act quickly, as the deadline for filing a Camp Lejeune renal toxicity lawsuit is August 2024.
If you or a loved one has been impacted by Camp Lejeune renal toxicity, reach out to us for a free claim review and find out how we can assist.
Camp Lejeune Renal Toxicity
Renal toxicity, also known as nephrotoxicity or acute kidney failure, is the rapid deterioration of kidney function due to the toxic effect of chemicals and medications.
Once the kidneys lose their filtering ability, high levels of waste may accumulate, throwing the blood’s chemical makeup out of balance. This can eventually lead to kidney failure.
Unfortunately, exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is a known cause of renal toxicity.
Symptoms of renal toxicity often vary but can include:
- Bubbly-looking urine
- Changes in urination frequency
- Difficulty catching the breath
- Itchy skin or rashes
- Muscle cramps
- Reduced appetite
- Swelling in the ankles and feet
Treatment for renal toxicity varies based on the condition’s severity. Mild cases may be managed with medication and lifestyle changes, while more severe cases might require dialysis or even a kidney transplant.
If you are experiencing renal toxicity symptoms, contact a medical professional right away. Renal toxicity requires intensive treatment and can be fatal.
Can Renal Toxicity Cause Kidney Disease?
Yes, renal toxicity can cause kidney disease by affecting your kidney’s filtration abilities.
Advanced or late-stage chronic kidney disease can cause dangerous levels of waste, electrolytes, and fluid to accumulate in your body.
Over time, kidney disease can lead to end-stage kidney failure, which can be fatal without a kidney transplant or dialysis.
Camp Lejeune Renal Toxicity & Kidney Cancer
Chronic kidney disease (characterized by damaged kidneys) and kidney cancer are connected in several ways.
Here are potential links between renal toxicity and kidney cancer:
- Cancer and kidney disease might be connected because they both can be caused by harmful toxins, such as Camp Lejeune’s polluted water.
- Cancer treatments sometimes lead to kidney disease, either because of the treatment itself or its side effects.
- Having kidney disease could make you more likely to develop cancer.
Other Health Conditions Linked to Camp Lejeune Water
Exposure to the base’s contaminated water doesn’t just cause Camp Lejeune renal toxicity. It can also lead to multiple forms of Camp Lejeune cancer and other serious illnesses.
Other Camp Lejeune health conditions include:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Aplastic anemia
- Birth defects
- Bladder cancer
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cardiac defects
- Cervical cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Esophageal cancer
- Fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis)
- Female infertility and miscarriage
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Lymphomas
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Sarcoma
- Scleroderma
If you or a loved one developed an illness linked to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune after spending at least 30 days on base, you may be eligible for compensation.
Compensation Options for Renal Toxicity Camp Lejeune Claims
Camp Lejeune renal toxicity patients have several options available to them to pursue compensation and support for their health issues.
Camp Lejeune Renal Toxicity Lawsuits
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with renal toxicity, filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit may be the best way to obtain the compensation you need.
Camp Lejeune renal toxicity lawsuits can help veterans and their families access compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and more.
Working with an experienced Camp Lejeune lawyer means they will handle every step of the legal process for you.
Elective Option
The voluntary Elective Option (EO) for Camp Lejeune claims is a fast-track settlement option offered by the Department of Justice and the Department of the Navy.
The EO allows qualifying victims to receive a predetermined payout amount quickly without going through the longer claims process.
End-stage renal disease is a Tier 2 qualifying illness, which means EO payouts for Camp Lejeune renal toxicity claims could be between $100,000 to $500,000.
VA Benefits
Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune during the contamination period and are now dealing with renal toxicity may also qualify for VA benefits.
Filing a claim with the VA can grant access to health care, disability compensation, and survivor benefits, offering financial support for ongoing medical care and related needs.
Eligibility for Camp Lejeune Renal Toxicity Claims
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (CLJA) established eligibility criteria for Camp Lejeune renal toxicity lawsuits.
The general eligibility requirements to file a Camp Lejeune renal toxicity lawsuit include:
- Connection to toxic water: Evidence linking renal toxicity to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune
- Diagnosis of renal toxicity: Medical records confirming a diagnosis
- Proof of time on base: Military records that show a minimum of 30 days on base between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987
If you’re uncertain about your family’s eligibility, don’t worry. Our highly trained claims advocates are here to assist in determining if you may be able to file a renal toxicity Camp Lejeune claim.
Steps to Filing a Camp Lejeune Renal Toxicity Lawsuit
Filing a Camp Lejeune renal toxicity lawsuit generally involves several steps.
These are typical steps to filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit:
- Choose a Camp Lejeune attorney: Start by finding a lawyer who specializes in Camp Lejeune water contamination cases. They will help determine your eligibility and recommend the best actions to take.
- Submit your Camp Lejeune claim: Your lawyer will gather essential documents, such as medical records and service history, to support your case. They’ll connect your renal toxicity to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water and file your claim before the deadline.
- Negotiate a Camp Lejeune settlement: If your claim is approved, you might get a settlement offer. Your attorney will negotiate to ensure you receive the highest possible compensation. This money can help cover your medical bills, lost income, and other costs resulting from Camp Lejeune renal toxicity.
If a settlement is unable to be reached, your Camp Lejeune lawyer will be prepared to fight for you during a trial.
Working with an experienced attorney can make the legal process as stress-free as possible, as they will handle all of the legal work for you.
Filing Deadline for Camp Lejeune Renal Toxicity Cases
The deadline to file your Camp Lejeune renal toxicity lawsuit is August 10, 2024. After this date, you will not be able to take legal action under the CLJA.
Once you submit your initial claim, the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) has 180 days to respond with a payment offer or a denial. If they do not respond or you are not satisfied with the decision, your claim may proceed to a lawsuit.
If you or a loved one was diagnosed with Camp Lejeune renal toxicity, don’t miss your chance to be included.
Get a free claim review right now.
What Evidence Do You Need to Prove a Camp Lejeune Case?
Gathering the proper evidence is crucial to building a strong case for a renal toxicity Camp Lejeune claim.
It’s okay if you don’t have access to this information. An experienced Camp Lejeune attorney will gather the evidence you need to support your case.
Here is the evidence your Camp Lejeune attorney will likely gather for you:
- Exposure history: Service records, housing details, and proof of presence at Camp Lejeune during the contamination
- Legal documents: Existing VA claims or legal documents related to Camp Lejeune water contamination
- Medical records: Records of a diagnosis, treatment history, pathology reports, and imaging studies
- Testimonies from medical experts: Expert opinions linking the toxins in Camp Lejeune’s water to renal toxicity or other health effects
Factors Impacting Camp Lejeune Renal Toxicity Compensation
The amount of compensation a Camp Lejeune renal toxicity patient may receive depends on many factors, including the overall impact this health condition has had on their life.
Factors impacting Camp Lejeune renal toxicity compensation include:
- Diminished quality of life
- Funeral and burial costs
- Future damages (medical treatments or potential lost income)
- Legal costs
- Loss of consortium (companionship or support)
- Lost income
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
Generally, compensation is higher in more severe Camp Lejeune renal toxicity cases that have caused significant loss to victims and their family members.
Get Help With a Camp Lejeune Renal Toxicity Lawsuit
If you or a loved one developed renal toxicity, end-stage renal disease, kidney damage, or other health issues due to Camp Lejeune water contamination, reach out to the Camp Lejeune Claims Center right now.
We provide free case evaluations to determine if you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune kidney damage claim.
Our knowledgeable claims advocates are available 24/7 to answer your questions and guide you through the process of seeking compensation.
Camp Lejeune Renal Toxicity Lawsuit FAQs
Is renal toxicity a presumptive condition for Camp Lejeune water contamination cases?
No, renal toxicity is not a presumptive condition for Camp Lejeune water contamination cases.
However, you do not need to be diagnosed with a presumptive condition to access compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022.
These are the eight Camp Lejeune presumptive conditions:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
If you or a loved one spent at least 30 days on the base while the water was contaminated, you may be eligible for compensation — even if your illness is not one of the eight presumptive conditions.
How long will it take to get a Camp Lejeune renal toxicity settlement?
Camp Lejeune settlement timelines are likely to vary on a case-by-case basis, but some families have received compensation through the Elective Option in just a few short months. Camp Lejeune lawsuits are expected to take one to two years on average.
Call our claims advocates right now to find out if we can connect you with a Camp Lejeune law firm that can discuss your settlement options.
Is renal toxicity the same as kidney disease?
While renal toxicity can lead to kidney disease, they are not identical.
Renal toxicity is a specific and rapid decline in kidney function caused by harmful substances, like toxic chemicals or drugs.
Kidney disease is a broader term for various chronic kidney conditions, often developing over time from different causes.