Did Camp Lejeune Water Cause Neurological Effects?
Possibly, yes. There may be long-term neurological effects of Camp Lejeune water, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
A study published in the May 2023 issue of JAMA Neurology (a monthly medical journal by the American Medical Association) investigated the neurological effects of Camp Lejeune water.
The research analyzed health records from 1997-2021 of over 340,000 service members. Approximately half were stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1975 and 1985, and the other half at Camp Pendleton (with clean water).
Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological effects are believed to be caused by exposure to industrial solvents, fuel, and benzene leaking into the base’s water supply.
These hazardous materials are called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and they’ve been linked with many Camp Lejeune health issues.
Anyone who drank, bathed in, or used contaminated base water between 1953 and 1987 is at risk of neurological disorders from Camp Lejeune water.
You may be eligible for compensation if you or a loved one spent at least 30 days on base while the water was contaminated. However, you only have until August 2024 to take action, so don’t wait.
With our simplified review process, finding out if you can file a claim only takes a few minutes. Get a free case review right now.
Camp Lejeune Neurological Effects
The neurological effects of Camp Lejeune water contamination have been studied in depth. Frustratingly, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has not recognized Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological effects for far too long.
Many Camp Lejeune veterans who suffered from neurological conditions were repeatedly denied VA benefits.
In one denial that was appealed and ultimately granted, a veteran suffering from the neurological effects of Camp Lejeune water lost consciousness and cut off almost all of his fingers on one hand.
Before the incident, the veteran had been experiencing dizziness, insomnia, problems concentrating, abdominal pain, and fatigue. He had been seen by multiple specialists and tried various medications, but his symptoms did not go away.
Unfortunately, this is just one case of many. Learn more about Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological effects below.
Camp Lejeune Neurological Diseases and Conditions
The impact of water contamination at Camp Lejeune includes various neurological diseases and conditions.
For example, Camp Lejeune Marines have double the risk of developing ALS if they were exposed to benzene, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease)
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Parkinson’s disease
Learn more about the alarming link between water contamination at Camp Lejeune and the increased risk of Parkinson’s disease below.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination and Parkinson’s Disease
Individuals exposed to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water have a 70% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. Tetrachloroethylene (PCE) increases the likelihood of developing the condition.
However, Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s disease wasn’t listed as a presumptive health condition until 2015. Before that, the government would not even acknowledge a link, much to the dismay of those suffering.
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.
- Contracted muscles causing 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, you may have legal options.
Even if you are already receiving VA disability benefits, you may be newly eligible to receive financial compensation through a lawsuit against the federal government. Additionally, lawsuit compensation does not affect existing or future VA benefits.
Symptoms of Camp Lejeune Neurological Disorders
Exposure to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune may lead to symptoms of neurological disorders.
- Concentration problems: Tasks or conversations may become challenging to focus on.
- Confusion: Ordinary things might start to seem difficult. You may struggle to remember people or places you know well.
- Coordination problems: You could find it tough to move smoothly or carry out activities that require organization.
- Depression: Feelings of sadness or anxiety might become a regular part of your life.
- Difficulty moving: You could have problems controlling your movements.
- Fatigue: You may feel exhausted and lack energy for day-to-day tasks.
- Headaches: You could have headaches more often than usual.
- Learning and behavioral disorders: You might find it harder to learn new things or notice changes in your behavior.
- Sensory disturbances: You might experience feelings like numbness or tingling.
See your doctor if you have any of these symptoms, and don’t forget to tell them if you spent time at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987. They could be warning signs of Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological disorders.
If your symptoms are related to Camp Lejeune’s toxic water, you may be able to access the compensation you need for quality medical care.
Neurobehavioral Effects of Camp Lejeune Water
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) explains that neurobehavioral effects involve the central nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.
- 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
What Are the Neurobehavioral Effects of Camp Lejeune?
Research suggests that TCE and PCE can cause neurological, behavioral, and psychological effects. Because both of these chemicals were present in the contaminated water at the base, those exposed could be at risk of neurobehavioral effects of Camp Lejeune water.
- Memory lapses
- Mood swings
- Problems concentrating
- Trouble thinking clearly
If you experienced neurobehavioral effects, consult your doctor and mention your exposure history at Camp Lejeune. You may be at risk of developing serious neurological disorders.
Compensation Options for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Neurological Effects
Victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological diseases may have several pathways to pursuing compensation.
The VA offers benefits to qualifying veterans who developed illnesses from Camp Lejeune’s drinking water. Additionally, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA), part of the PACT Act of 2022, allows anyone affected to pursue compensation if they meet the eligibility requirements.
Learn more about compensation options below.
Camp Lejeune Neurobehavioral Effects VA Benefits
The VA considers Camp Lejeune neurobehavioral effects a covered condition. They may qualify individuals for VA health care benefits.
Further, Parkinson’s Disease is one of the eight Camp Lejeune water contamination presumptive illnesses. This means veterans may be eligible to receive monthly VA disability payments.
The 2024 VA monthly disability rate ranges from $3,737.85 to over $4,000, with a 100% disability rating based on dependent status.
The Camp Lejeune Claims Center partners with VA-accredited attorneys who may be able to help you re-apply or increase your current VA benefits.
Lawsuits for Camp Lejeune Neurological Diseases
If you or a loved one developed Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological effects, filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit may be your best option to receive the compensation you deserve.
Camp Lejeune neurological disease lawsuits can help families pay for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and more.
Parkinson’s disease is a Tier 2 condition through the government’s voluntary Elective Option (EO). This means you may be offered an expedited Camp Lejeune payout of $100,000 to $500,000.
Remember, filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit will not impact current or future VA benefits. Any money awarded in a lawsuit will be in addition to what you already receive.
A skilled Camp Lejeune lawyer can handle all of the legal work for you. They’ll make filing a lawsuit as stress-free as possible.
Eligibility for Camp Lejeune Neurological Effects Lawsuits
If you or a loved one has a neurological disorder related to Camp Lejeune water and you lived or worked on the base for at least 30 days from 1953 to 1987, you may be eligible to access compensation under the CLJA.
Camp Lejeune Founded
Camp Lejeune residents are exposed to toxic chemicals in the water supply
This includes family members who visited the base for 30 days or more, even if those days were not consecutive (back-to-back).
Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological effects eligibility involves:
- Connection to toxic water: Evidence linking neurological effects to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune
- Diagnosis of a neurological condition: 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
It’s okay if you’re uncertain about your family’s eligibility. Our highly trained claims advocates are here to assist in determining if you may be able to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological effects.
Get a free case evaluation right now to find out what options may be available to you.
Steps to Filing a Camp Lejeune Neurological Effects Lawsuit
While each case will vary, there are a few general steps to follow when filing a Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological effects lawsuit.
1. Contact a Camp Lejeune Lawyer
A Camp Lejeune attorney is a personal injury lawyer experienced in handling Camp Lejeune cases.
By working with a skilled Camp Lejeune lawyer, you have someone on your side who is knowledgeable about what it takes to pursue compensation for Camp Lejeune neurological diseases. They will provide a free consultation and do all of the legal work if you qualify.
2. File Your Camp Lejeune Claim
Your lawyer can help you gather the evidence needed to support your case (like military records and medical documents) and file your lawsuit for Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological effects before the August 2024 deadline.
3. Negotiate a Camp Lejeune Settlement
If you are eligible, you may be offered a settlement from the Department of Justice and the U.S. Navy. Your attorney will represent your interests during settlement negotiations, striving to secure the maximum compensation for your Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological effects claim.
Working with a Camp Lejeune lawyer can be most beneficial during the negotiation stage of the legal process, as it involves a lot of paperwork and back-and-forth communication.
If a settlement cannot be reached, your Camp Lejeune attorney will represent you if your case proceeds to trial.
Camp Lejeune Neurological Diseases Settlement Amounts
As of July 2024, there haven’t been any Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological effects settlements. However, five Parkinson’s disease payouts were made, totaling over $1.1 million through the Elective Option.
Legal experts anticipate that lawsuit settlements for Parkinson’s disease could be valued at $750,000 or more.
Settlements for other Camp Lejeune neurological effects will depend upon the severity of the illness and may be worth anywhere from $25,000 to over $1 million.
An experienced Camp Lejeune attorney can help you determine the potential value of your case.
Is There a Time Limit to File a Camp Lejeune Neurological Effects Claim?
Yes. You only have until August 2024 to file a claim for Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological effects. Once this date passes, you can no longer file a claim under the CLJA.
Once you file your claim, the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) has 180 days to respond with a payout offer or a denial. If they do not respond or you are not satisfied with their decision, your claim may proceed to a lawsuit.
By working with a top-quality Camp Lejeune lawyer, you can ensure that all deadlines are met.
What Other Health Issues Did Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Cause?
Anyone who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune when the water was contaminated is at greater risk of developing many different health conditions.
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
(ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) - Aplastic anemia
- Birth defects
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer (in women & men)
- Cervical cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Crohn’s disease
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility & miscarriage
- Heart disease
- Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver)
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Lymphomas
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Renal toxicity
- Sarcoma
- Scleroderma
Unfortunately, there may be even more medical issues linked to the water not listed. If you or a loved one developed a health condition from Camp Lejeune’s polluted water, you may finally be able to access financial compensation from the federal government.
What Chemicals Were in Camp Lejeune Water?
Since the late 1980s, the ATSDR has analyzed Camp Lejeune’s water. It has identified several dangerous chemicals that contaminated the base’s water for decades.
- 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 the disposal of toxic water by an off-base dry cleaning business, day-to-day base operations, and a long-term fuel leak that the U.S. Marine Corps hid for years.
Find a Camp Lejeune Neurological Effects Law Firm Near You
The best Camp Lejeune contaminated water law firms are personal injury firms that are involved in the fight to get justice for Camp Lejeune water supply victims.
The Camp Lejeune Claims Center partners with skilled law firms who may be able to help your family get compensation for Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological effects.
The Camp Lejeune water law firms we work with have:
- Experience handling toxic exposure lawsuits
- Familiarity with mass tort litigation or class actions
- National reach needed to handle claims in all 50 states
- VA-accredited attorneys on staff
Our trained Camp Lejeune claims advocates are available 24 hours a day to help determine if you have a claim for the neurological effects of Camp Lejeune water.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Neurological Effects FAQs
Can contaminated water cause neurological problems?
Yes, contaminated water can cause neurological problems. Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins in water may lead to various neurological issues, including nerve damage and cognitive impairments.
Are neurological effects part of the Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
Yes, in some cases. You may be able to file a lawsuit for Camp Lejeune water contamination neurological effects if your symptoms can be linked to the base’s contaminated water and you spent at least 30 days on base during the contamination period.
Working with a skilled Camp Lejeune lawyer is the best way to find out if you may be eligible to file a lawsuit.
What are the neurological effects of Camp Lejeune water?
The neurological effects of Camp Lejeune water exposure include disorders like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease), and more.
If you experience symptoms like brain fog, insomnia, mood changes, weakness, coordination difficulties, and tremors, you may be suffering early warning signs of a neurological disorder. Contact a doctor as soon as possible and mention your toxic water exposure history.
What are Camp Lejeune neurological diseases?
The neurological disease most closely associated with Camp Lejeune water is Parkinson’s disease — a disorder that affects movement, causing symptoms such as tremors, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recognized Parkinson’s disease as a Camp Lejeune presumptive illness since 2015.
Other Camp Lejeune neurological diseases include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease) and multiple sclerosis (MS).
What is considered a neurobehavioral effect?
A neurobehavioral effect refers to changes in behavior, cognition, or motor function resulting from alterations in the nervous system. This can include mood disturbances, memory loss, and impaired coordination.
What are the neurobehavioral effects of water contamination at Camp Lejeune?
The neurobehavioral effects of Camp Lejeune water may include memory problems, headaches, difficulty concentrating, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), difficulty walking, and involuntary movements.
If you have any of these symptoms, talk with your doctor without delay. Make sure to tell them if you spent time at Camp Lejeune, as it could help them provide you with appropriate screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
What is the VA rating for neurobehavioral effects?
The VA rating for neurobehavioral effects depends on the severity and impact of the symptoms on daily functioning. The VA evaluates these effects under criteria for mental disorders or neurological conditions, with ratings varying based on the level of social and occupational impairment caused by the symptoms.
The Camp Lejeune Claims Center partners with VA-accredited attorneys who may be able to help you re-apply for VA benefits or increase your current benefits.
