Nerve Damage Linked to Contaminated Drinking Water at Camp Lejeune

For over 30 years, Camp Lejeune’s water supply was contaminated with toxic chemicals.

Unsuspecting Camp Lejeune residents used this water daily for bathing, cleaning, drinking, and other purposes.

Throughout the years, former Camp Lejeune residents have experienced a number of devastating health conditions subsequent to consuming contaminated drinking water.

One of these conditions was nerve damage –

About Nerve Damage

Neuropathy, more commonly referred to as “nerve damage”, is a condition that affects the various types of nerves in the body.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) lists several types of nerve damage including:

• Peripheral Neuropathy: Damage to the peripheral nerves affects the transmission between the brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body.
• Autonomic Neuropathy: Autonomic neuropathy affects the involuntary functions of the body, such as heart rate, blood pressure, temperature regulation, digestion, and bladder control.
• Proximal Neuropathy: This type of nerve damage affects the large nerves in the legs, thighs, hips, buttocks, chest, and stomach area.
• Focal Neuropathy: Focal neuropathy affects a single nerve or group of nerves in the body, usually in the face, head, torso, and hands.

Each type of nerve damage comes with unique symptoms and complications.

Camp Lejeune residents who developed nerve damage likely experienced a range of symptoms, significantly reducing their daily functioning and quality of life. 

Nerve Damage and Its Causes

Conditions that generally affect the nervous system may lead to nerve damage.

The most common causes of neuropathy in general are: 

• Diabetes: The increased sugar in the blood over time can cause changes to the nerves, leading to pain and numbness.
• Cancer or Cancer Treatments: Cancerous tumors and treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can damage the nerves. 
• Trauma: Severe burns, car accidents, falls, and infections can cause nerve damage.
• Vitamin Deficiencies: Nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamins B6 and B12, can damage nerves.
• Autoimmune Disorders: Immune system disorders, such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis, can cause nerve damage.
• Alcohol and Drug Abuse: Long-term alcohol and drug use can cause nerve damage due to their effects on the nervous system.
• Medications: Certain medications, such as certain antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, can cause nerve damage.

Exposure to Toxic Substances and Nerve Damage

Studies indicate that certain chemicals and toxins, , including solvents, lead, arsenic, mercury, and other substances, can cause nerve damage.

Camp Lejeune’s water supply contained several contaminants resulting from the improper disposal of cleaning solvents, including trichloroethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene (PCE), benzene, and vinyl chloride.

Several studies and health agencies have linked exposure to these chemicals to nerve damage and other conditions, citing how these chemicals negatively affect the nervous system or contribute to other health conditions that impact the nervous system.

Nerve Damage Complications

Long-term nerve damage complications can be physical, psychological, and emotional.

Long-term complications of nerve damage may include:

• Loss of Sensation: Nerve damage can cause loss of feeling or sensations in the affected area, changing your ability to sense heat, cold, or pain.
• Loss of Mobility: Nerve damage can lead to muscle weakness and wasting in the affected area, making it difficult to move or function normally.
• Loss of Balance: Nerve damage can affect balance and coordination, leading to falls and other injuries.
• Chronic Pain: Nerve damage can cause chronic pain, which can be debilitating and difficult to manage.
• Bladder and Bowel Problems: Nerve damage can lead to diarrhea, constipation, urine leakage, and other issues.
• Emotional and Psychological Effects: The physical limitations and pain associated with nerve damage can lead to depression, anxiety, fear, and other mental health issues.

Nerve damage and other related conditions can be severe and progressive and result in permanent complications if not diagnosed and treated properly.

Due to years of unawareness of the water contamination and negligence of Camp Lejeune officials and federal authorities, many residents developed nerve damage and other conditions without fully knowing the cause of their conditions.

Whether through direct nerve damage or other diseases that led to it, Camp Lejeune victims have suffered for years without compensation.

If you or a loved one suffered nerve damage or other related health problems after consuming contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit instantly.

Health Conditions Linked to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Camp Lejeune water contamination resulted in several health conditions suffered by military service members, their family members, civilian workers, and others who lived and worked at the Marine Corps base.

For years, Camp Lejeune victims dealt with denials for VA health care benefits, disability compensation, and other forms of relief they desperately needed.

Some of the health problems linked to water contamination at Camp Lejeune include:

• Prostate Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Adult Leukemia
• Aplastic Anemia
• Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma
• Renal Toxicity
• Multiple Myeloma
• Other myelodysplastic syndromes
• Miscarriage, infertility and birth defects
• Many more diagnoses

To learn more about the different health conditions suffered by victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination, visit this page.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Overview

Between 1953 and 1987, toxic substances leaked into water treatment plants at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Potentially over one million people were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between these years.

The toxic water contamination at Camp Lejeune has resulted in tragic diagnoses, medical expenses, and losses for Camp Lejeune veterans, service members, family members, civilian workers, and other affected individuals.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 aims to compensate Camp Lejeune victims for what they’ve gone through.

Through the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, victims are able to go through an administrative claims process to demand compensation for their health problems and damages related to their exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The Navy’s Tort Claims Unit (TCU) will promptly review compensation claims, and if a victim’s claim is not adjudicated within 6 months, they may be able to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit and pursue litigation.

Camp Lejeune Lawsuits are consolidated in North Carolina federal court.

All Camp Lejeune Lawsuits are overseen by judges in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and the process by which these Camp Lejeune cases will be handled is being determined.

A successful Camp Lejeune settlement could open the door to much-needed compensation for Camp Lejeune victims and help them move forward.

Causes of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Improper disposal of toxic substances was to blame for the Camp Lejeune water supply contamination.

The U.S. Marine Corps traced toxic substances that contributed to water contamination to a dry cleaning business in 1982.

The facility practiced unethical disposal of cleaning solvents, causing them to contaminate the base’s water supply. 

The toxic chemicals contaminated two of the base’s eight water treatment plants.

The Hadnot Point treatment plant and the Tarawa Terrace treatment plant were polluted with contaminants known to cause nerve damage and other serious illnesses. 

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) investigated the matter and determined that the toxic water contamination lasted from 1953 to 1987.

It affected over one million Camp Lejeune residents who consumed, bathed in, and cooked with the contaminated water during this period. 

What Toxic Substances Were Found in the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune?

The ATSDR identified several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune, including:

• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
• Benzene
• Vinyl Chloride
• Up to 70 other hazardous chemicals

These hazardous chemicals in the drinking water supply pose severe health risks to those who consume or are otherwise exposed to them.

What Is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is one of the most crucial pieces of legislation to help Camp Lejeune victims.

However, before its existence, The Federal Tort Claims Act of 1946 (FTCA) provided the only legal recourse for Camp Lejeune victims.

The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) awarded compensation to victims of any wrongdoing committed by government employees or agents.

Unfortunately, the FTCA did not recognize Camp Lejeune water contamination cases, preventing past claims against the federal government.

President Joe Biden signed the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act on August 10, 2022.

The PACT Act authorized the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide VA healthcare benefits, disability compensation, and other services to military service members and veterans exposed to toxic chemicals during military service.

This legislation encompassed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which provided an administrative claims process and avenue for litigation for Camp Lejeune victims.

Section 804 of the PACT Act is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) of 2022.

The CLJA is a vital resource for Camp Lejeune veterans and families who have suffered from water contamination at the base. 

Qualified plaintiffs may receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other losses associated with their illnesses. 

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is the most recent and comprehensive attempt at legislating change to benefit Camp Lejeune victims.

Previously, the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 extended healthcare, housing, education, and memorial assistance for eligible Camp Lejeune victims.

Do You Qualify for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

Qualified law firms and attorneys can help Camp Lejeune veterans and their family members assess their options and file for compensation.

Whether it be claims filed on your behalf, or wrongful death suits filed by surviving family members, experienced Camp Lejeune lawyers can be a vital resource when going through this process.

If you or your family member resided at Camp Lejeune during the contamination period and suffered nerve damage or other health problems, you may be eligible for compensation via the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

Contact our Camp Lejeune attorneys today for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit instantly.

An experienced law firm can help you fully navigate the legal and administrative claims process, helping you gather relevant evidence and assess damages, among other crucial steps.

Gathering Evidence for Camp Lejeune Claims

Gathering evidence is an essential step of the process for filing Camp Lejeune claims.

Common evidence used in Camp Lejeune litigation may include: 

• Documents proving residence at Camp Lejeune
• Military service records indicating dates and locations served
• Medical records and diagnoses
• Medical bills
• Travel records
• Health care information
• Records on disability benefits or VA compensation benefits

Gathering evidence is a step in the process that you can begin yourself, but experienced law firms can also help you in doing this.

Assessing Damages for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Claims

Damages refer to losses, economic and non-economic, incurred as a result of being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

Potential damages in a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit may include:

• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Disability benefits
• Loss of companionship, consortium, enjoyment of life, and earning capacity
• Permanent disability

If you believe you are eligible for compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and have a valid claim, seek legal guidance as soon as possible to maximize your chances.

The deadline for seeking compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is August 10, 2024.

TorHoerman Law: Your Camp Lejeune Lawyers

TorHoerman Law’s team of Camp Lejeune lawyers is here to help you and your family members through the Camp Lejeune administrative claims process and subsequent Camp Lejeune Lawsuits if necessary.

We are here to support you and advocate on your behalf.

If you or a loved one were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit.

Contact us for a free consultation.

Use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit instantly.

Our law firm has decades of experience securing compensation for people exposed to toxic chemicals and injured at no fault of their own.

We understand what you’ve been through, and we are here to seek justice on your behalf.

Reach out to our Camp Lejeune lawyers with any questions or concerns you may have.