Symptoms of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

About Camp Lejeune Health Conditions and Symptoms

Camp Lejeune’s contaminated base water has been linked to many severe health conditions. Symptoms of Camp Lejeune water contamination vary depending on which condition the toxic water has caused.

If you or a loved one spent at least 30 days on the base between 1953 and 1987, you could be at increased risk for serious medical conditions. Early detection of symptoms can lead to a more accurate diagnosis and prompt medical intervention.

It is important to understand that some conditions may be symptomless, making it difficult to know whether you have been harmed. Other chronic conditions cause lifelong issues, leaving victims unaware of the connection between their health problems and the toxic water.

If you believe you have symptoms of Camp Lejeune water contamination, see your doctor without delay. Once you have been seen by a health care professional, you may wish to file a Camp Lejeune claim if you qualify.

Compensation from a successful claim can help pay for treatment and more.

Find out if you are eligible right now with a free claim review.

Top 5 Conditions and Symptoms of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Symptoms of Camp Lejeune water contamination depend on which condition you have. Many serious illnesses are linked to the toxic water, each with unique symptoms.

Learn about top conditions and symptoms below.

1. Cancer

Multiple forms of cancer are linked to the toxic base water. Some of the Camp Lejeune cancers are listed below, along with their common symptoms.

• Bladder cancer: Back pain, blood in urine, and frequent or painful urination
• Kidney cancer: Blood in urine, fever, loss of appetite, and pain in the back or side
• Leukemia: Fatigue, frequent infections, easy bruising or bleeding, and unexplained weight loss
• Liver cancer: Abdominal swelling, jaundice, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, unexplained weight loss, upper abdominal pain, and white, chalky stools
• Multiple myeloma: Bone pain (especially in the chest or spine), confusion or mental fogginess, constipation, excessive thirst, fatigue, infections, nausea, and weakness or numbness in the legs
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: Abdominal pain or swelling, chest pain, coughing or trouble breathing, fever, night sweats, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin, and unexplained weight loss

2. Birth Defects and Female Infertility

Birth defects, including neural tube defects and oral cleft defects, are linked to the toxic water. While some symptoms of birth defects are obvious, others may not show up for years after a baby is born.

Camp Lejeune birth defects that may not show symptoms right away include:

• Congenital heart disease or defects (CHD)
• Cleft palate (especially when limited to soft palate muscles)
• Immune system disorders

Sometimes, symptoms can remain hidden throughout a child’s lifetime, showing up as health conditions that appear unrelated.

Symptoms of Camp Lejeune water contamination in pregnant women, babies, and young children often went unrecognized. However, as babies born on the base grew older, alarming rates of childhood leukemia became apparent.

Additionally, female infertility and miscarriages have also been reported among pregnant women who lived at Camp Lejeune.

3. Heart Disease

While heart disease isn’t officially linked to Camp Lejeune’s toxic water, numerous reports from military personnel suggest a connection.

Suspected cases of Camp Lejeune heart disease can vary based on the chemicals in the contaminated water. Prolonged exposure might have possibly increased the risk of heart problems, including arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and stroke.

Symptoms of heart problems include:

• Bradycardia (slow heartbeat)
• Breathlessness
• Chest fluttering
• Chest pain, tightness, or discomfort
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting
• Fatigue
• Irregular heartbeat
• Pain, numbness, weakness, or coldness in arms or legs
• Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen, or back
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen extremities
• Tachycardia (racing heartbeat)

Always call 911 if you think you might be having a heart attack or another severe cardiac event.

4. Neurological Disorders

Camp Lejeune neurological disorders and neurobehavioral effects have been reported for decades. The neurological symptoms of Camp Lejeune water contamination depend on which condition is present.

Neurological Camp Lejeune water contamination symptoms include:

• Concentration problems
• Confusion
• Coordination problems
• Depression
• Difficulty moving
• Fatigue
• Headaches
• Learning and behavioral disorders
• Sensory disturbances

Additionally, Camp Lejeune’s toxic water could cause Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease symptoms include tremors, slow movement, and muscle stiffness.

5. Kidney Disease (Renal Disease)

Kidney disease, also known as renal disease, includes a range of conditions affecting the organ’s ability to filter waste from the blood effectively.

Symptoms of kidney disease may include:

• Changes in urine output
• Fatigue
• High blood pressure
• Swelling

Kidney disease can lead to a buildup of toxins in the body, fluid retention, and electrolyte imbalances.

Other Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Conditions

The base’s toxic water could cause many different health problems besides those listed above. As a result, symptoms of Camp Lejeune water contamination depend on which health issue you have.

Camp Lejeune water contamination illnesses include:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease)
• Aplastic anemia (when the body stops making enough new blood cells)
• Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver)
• Myelodysplastic syndromes (disruption of blood cell production)
• Scleroderma (hardening of the skin and connective tissues)

See your doctor without delay if you have symptoms of any of these Camp Lejeune-related health problems.

Who Is at Risk for Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Symptoms?

Anyone who lived or worked at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 could now have symptoms of cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses linked to the base’s toxic drinking water.

U.S. Marine Corps veterans are at the highest risk for developing health conditions and symptoms of Camp Lejeune water contamination since they were exposed to the toxic water regularly while training on the base.

If you suffered injuries related to being exposed to the water, it is important to remember that filing a Camp Lejeune Claim does not affect VA benefits.

Don’t miss your chance at justice. Get a free claim review right now.

Do My Symptoms Qualify for a Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Lawsuit?

If you spent at least 30 days on the base between 1953 and 1987 and your symptoms are due to the contaminated base water, you may qualify to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.

If you have concerns about symptoms of Camp Lejeune water contamination, see your doctor without delay. Don’t forget to mention the time you spent on the base. This can help establish a connection to the contamination and support your lawsuit claim for compensation.

Is There a Time Limit to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

Yes, Camp Lejeune victims only have until August 2024 to take legal action against the federal government under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (part of the PACT Act).

Remember, it doesn’t matter how far back exposure was. Eligible victims can file a Camp Lejeune water contamination claim. Family members of victims who have died may also qualify to file a wrongful death claim.

Talk with a skilled attorney and file your Camp Lejeune claim so you don’t miss your chance to get justice and financial aid. Find out if you can take action right now.

What Causes Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Symptoms?

Toxic chemicals seeped into the ground near Camp Lejeune and made their way into some of the base’s water treatment plants. The groundwater near Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point is the main source of contamination.

Camp Lejeune water contamination has caused various health problems, each with its own unique symptoms.

In the late 1980s, Camp Lejeune’s water was found to contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs). At the time of discovery, scientists determined that the contamination had begun decades prior.

What Chemicals Were in Camp Lejeune’s Contaminated Water?

The Camp Lejeune water contained VOCs, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Diseases Registry (ATSDR).

ATSDR determined that the VOCs in Camp Lejeune water included:

• Benzene
• Dichloroethylene (DCE)
• Tetrachloroethylene — also known as perchloroethylene (PCE)
• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Vinyl chloride
• Other contaminants

The VOCs in the base water caused numerous Camp Lejeune water contamination symptoms and conditions.

Get Legal Help for Symptoms of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

If you or a loved one was diagnosed with health issues or is experiencing Camp Lejeune water contamination symptoms, you may have legal options.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 ensures that you can file a claim to get justice and financial aid — even if you’re already receiving VA benefits.

The Camp Lejeune Claims Center partners with experienced personal injury lawyers who can handle cases across all 50 states. And there’s no need to worry about out-of-pocket costs. Your lawyer will only get paid if your claim is successful.

Don’t face this alone. Our team can connect you with some of the best trial lawyers in the country if you qualify.