The toxic waters at Camp Lejeune had made many veterans, their relatives, and civilian workers suffer immensely. All of them consumed this dirty water laden with harmful chemicals, used it for cooking, and even bathed in it for over three decades. As a result, they have suffered from multiple health hazards.
The water in this region contained VOCs (volatile organic compounds) and other harsh chemicals that have been linked with Parkinson’s disease, birth defects, and many types of cancer.
Recently, a new study highlighted that more than 300,000 veterans who resided in Camp Lejeune had a higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, among all other ailments. In this article, we will shed light on this correlation and also share how to opt for legal compensation.
Camp Lejeune Waters & Parkinson’s Disease: Understanding the Link
A study that was published in JAMA Neurology highlighted that Camp Lejeune veterans had a 70% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease compared to others. The study comprised more than 300,000 service members who were residing in this region between the years 1975 and 1985 for a minimum of three months.
Even those who hadn’t been detected with Parkinson’s were considered at risk for it. The reason for this was trichloroethylene (TCE) in the water, which the CDC considers a harmful chemical. It is a cleaning chemical with a chloroform-like smell and is colorless.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) states that it noticed the presence of this chemical in the region’s drinking water first in 1982. It was more so in the water that got sourced from the Hadnot Point treatment plant.
The other dangerous chemicals that added to the danger included benzene, PCE, vinyl chloride, and trans-1,2-DCE. According to ATSDR, the contaminants were present in the region’s drinking water supplies because of the industrial spills, waste disposal sites, and underground storage tanks that were leaking. The Department of Defense and Veteran Affairs agreed that exposure to TCE in this region created havoc in the lives of veterans and their family members.
The Story of Brian Grant
As he was playing for Los Angeles, NBA basketball player Brian Grant started to detect early signs of Parkinson’s disease. He suddenly realized that he wasn’t able to do a long jump on his left leg. There were times when he was also experiencing leg weakness. Soon, he started to experience tremors in his left hand. After about two years, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
This case was being studied by the researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The authors here speculated that Brian could have been exposed to the TCE present in the waters at Camp Lejeune, which caused this disease.
And how did that happen? When Brian was three years old, he stayed with his father, who was a Marine at the base. He lived in Camp Lejeune exactly when the TCE levels were high. Little did he know that as he drank and bathed in the polluted water, it would contribute to a fatal disease at a later stage in his life.
Many others, like Brian, have suffered from Parkinson’s after getting exposed to the toxic waters at Camp Lejeune.
If you or anyone you know has faced the same, then filing a lawsuit is necessary to seek legal compensation to cover all the damages and losses endured.
Is A Legal Compensation Available?
The answer is yes. Are you wondering how much the Camp Lejeune settlement per person is? It varies. However, according to the latest lawsuit updates in January 2024, there were two such settlements where the payouts were $400,000 and $250,000.
If you stayed in Camp Lejeune for 30 days and have developed Parkinson’s disease, you have a chance to get compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs. TorHoerman Law states that for this, you need to get in touch with an able lawyer.
They will decide whether you qualify for a lawsuit or not based on all the evidence you share. They will further assess your case history and come up with the correct way of building a strong case that will urge the court to declare the verdict in your favor.
In conclusion, the harmful waters at Camp Lejeune had given rise to a series of dangerous diseases. Parkinson’s disease was a prominent one that caused several veterans to live a poor-quality life. However, there is legal help available to enable victims to file a lawsuit and ask for the monetary help they need to cover all the economic and non-economic damages.
