Many veterans and their families who lived at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water. This has been shown to result in certain diseases and disabilities.
If this is something that you have experienced, you could be entitled to certain benefits to compensate you for your pain and suffering. Starting a camp lejeune lawsuit could result in reimbursement for health care treatment and a huge overall financial settlement for your troubles.
If you want to find out how much compensation you could be eligible for, read on!
What Happened at Camp Lejeune?
Camp Lejeune has a pretty noteworthy history.
During World War II soldiers stationed here trained for operations before being deployed to the Pacific Islands. Since this time, Camp Lejeune has trained many Marines who have gone on to fight in just about every major US conflict in addition to peacekeeping missions.
However, Camp Lejeune has a very dark historical chapter that has only come to light in recent years.
A Bit Of Background
From 1953 to 1987, people living at the Marine Corps Air Station New River (MCAS) and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (MCB) in North Carolina were all exposed to a contaminated water supply. All severely contaminated wells were closed down in 1987.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and contaminants such as industrial solvents managed to enter the groundwater from a local off-base dry cleaner while nearby leaking fuel tanks leaked benzene directly into the water supply.
As a result of this, service members and their families who resided on these bases may have come into direct contact with such toxins via cooking, bathing, or drinking.
As many as one million veterans and family members who lived on the base during this time and were directly exposed to this type of contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune developed a range of illnesses, including cancer and birth defects
Qualifying Conditions
This exposure may have resulted in serious illnesses, including:
- Bladder cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurobehavioral changes
- Adult Leukemia
- Female infertility
- Miscarriages
- Birth defects
- Renal toxicity
- Hepatic steatosis
- Multiple myeloma
- Scleroderma
Who Is Eligible for Disability Benefits for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
Members of the Reserve, National Guard, and Active-duty troops are all eligible for remuneration. But there are three key requirements to be eligible for benefits:
- Those who actively served at MCAS New River or Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987 for a minimum of 30 days.
- Those who were diagnosed with one or more of the qualifying illnesses listed above as a direct result of the contaminated water.
- Those who didn’t receive a dishonorable discharge after separating from the U.S. military.
If you meet the requirements for compensation, you must provide valid proof of your condition as well as evidence that you met the requirements for base residency.
Veterans’ family members who lived with them at Camp Lejeune could also be eligible for compensation. However, they must show evidence of a relationship with a veteran including a birth certificate, adoption papers, or a marriage license.
How Much Compensation To Expect For Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlements
Cash payments can reimburse impacted individuals for out-of-pocket healthcare costs. This includes hospitalization, diagnostic testing, medications, and surgeries. If you have developed a disability, it also includes assistive devices for your home or your vehicle.
Veterans and their families who were directly impacted by Camp Lejeune’s water poisoning will get nearly $2 billion in disability compensation, according to a new agreement between the VA and the VA.
Depending on your disability rating, you could seek a much higher level of compensation. Individuals with a 100% disability rating could be eligible to qualify for over $3,000 per month in benefits!
How To Get Compensation
To receive reimbursement for all medical costs, you should follow these steps:
- Apply to VA.gov or inquire about getting help from a qualified representative. This includes a VA benefits lawyer.
- Showing the VA that you want to seek benefits for a Camp Lejeune-related disability or illness.
- Providing evidence of your illness such as medical records that detail reports from a doctor or a test result.
- Highlighting that you served at MCAS New River or Camp Lejeune for the qualifying period.
Conclusion
In essence, the total amount of compensation that you can receive for a disability caused by Camp Lejeune water contamination depends on your disability rating. The higher the rating, the more compensation you will receive!