Autoimmune Diseases Linked to Contaminated Drinking Water at Camp Lejeune

For over 30 years, Camp Lejeune veterans, civilians, and their family members were unknowingly exposed to contaminated drinking water.

Their prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals resulted in various health problems, including autoimmune diseases.

About Autoimmune Diseases

The immune system is our body’s defense against microorganisms and other foreign invaders.

Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, cells, and organs.

There are over 80 types of autoimmune diseases known to medical science.

The most common autoimmune diseases include:

• Type 1 Diabetes:  The immune system attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
• Rheumatoid Arthritis:  This autoimmune disease causes inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues.
• Multiple Sclerosis:  The immune system attacks the myelin sheath, which surrounds and protects nerve fibers.
• Lupus:  This autoimmune disease causes inflammation in various body parts, such as the skin, joints, and organs.
• Psoriasis:  The immune system attacks healthy skin cells, causing the formation of red, scaly patches on the skin.
• Thyroid Diseases:  The immune system attacks the thyroid, leading to hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

Autoimmune Diseases and Exposure to Toxic Substances

Scientific research has found links between exposure to toxic substances found in the water at Camp Lejeune to the increased risk for certain autoimmune diseases.

Research studies linking autoimmune disease to toxic exposure include:

• Frontiers in Immunology:  Volatile organic compounds: A proinflammatory activator in autoimmune diseases
• Aerosol and Air Quality Research:  Analysis on Ambient Volatile Organic Compounds and their Human Gene Targets
• Environmental Health Perspectives:  Evidence of Autoimmune-Related Effects of Trichloroethylene Exposure from Studies in Mice and Humans
• International Immunopharmacology:  Occupational exposures and autoimmune diseases
• Journal of Environmental Science and Health:  Assessment of trichloroethylene (TCE) exposure in murine strains genetically-prone and non-prone to develop autoimmune disease
• Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology:  Identification of antigenic proteins associated with trichloroethylene-induced autoimmune disease by serological proteome analysis
• Inhalation Toxicology:  Immunotoxicity and hematotoxicity induced by tetrachloroethylene in egyptian dry cleaning workers
• The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) Journal:  Tetrachloroethene-mediated autoimmunity: Significance of lipid-derived aldehydes
• The Lancet:  Genetic Susceptibility to Scleroderma-Like Syndrome Induced by Vinyl Chloride
• Journal of Toxicology:  Environmental chemicals and autoimmune disease: cause and effect

Other Causes of Autoimmune Diseases

The exact cause of autoimmune diseases is unknown.

However, certain risk factors can increase an individual’s chances of developing an autoimmune disease, including:

• Genetics:  A person’s genes influence their susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Your risk of developing one increases if a family member has an autoimmune disease.
• Previous Autoimmune Disease:  If you have or have had one autoimmune disease, your risk of developing another increases.
• Gender:  Women are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases than men.
• Age:  Autoimmune diseases can occur at any age, but they tend to affect younger and middle-aged people.
• Infections:  Viral or bacterial infections can cause an autoimmune reaction, leading to the development of an autoimmune disease.
• Certain Medications:  Some medications, such as antibiotics or immunosuppressive drugs, can trigger an autoimmune reaction, leading to the development of an autoimmune disease.
• Lifestyle Factors:  Stress, smoking, poor diet, or lack of exercise can increase your risk of developing an autoimmune disease.
• Environmental Factors:  Exposure to certain chemicals or toxins can trigger the immune system to attack its own tissues.

In the case of Camp Lejeune victims, the contamination of drinking water with toxic substances may have played a significant role in the development of autoimmune diseases among those who lived there.

Autoimmune diseases can cause life-altering symptoms and complications, making it difficult to live a normal life.

Autoimmune Disease Complications

Autoimmune diseases can result in various complications, ranging from mild to severe.

Common symptoms and complications of autoimmune diseases include: 

• Joints and Muscles:  Muscle pains, joint pain, swelling, stiffness, muscle weakness, inflammation
• Digestive Tract:  Constipation, bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, acid reflux, food sensitivities, blood or mucus in stool
• Skin, Hair, Eyes, and Mouth:  Itching, rashes, dry eyes, dry mouth, dry skin, hair loss
• Nervous System:  Confusion and difficulty thinking, memory issues, migraines, headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness, insomnia, anxiety, depression

Other complications of autoimmune diseases can include:

• Fever
• Fatigue
• Weight gain or loss
• Shortness of breath
• Temperature sensitivity
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Organ or tissue damage
• Infertility
• Increased risk of other diseases

Understanding the link between Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water and autoimmune diseases is crucial for those seeking justice and compensation for their suffering.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Overview

The water supply of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune was contaminated with highly toxic substances for over 30 years.

Victims drank, bathed in, cooked with, and used contaminated drinking water for years, often without knowing that consuming this water could result in devastating health problems.

Studies conducted by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other organizations revealed that the water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with over 70 toxic chemicals, including a fatal amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Countless Camp Lejeune veterans, family members, civilian workers, private contractors, and others have been diagnosed with cancer, suffered from birth defects and neurological disorders, and passed away without any form of official recognition or compensation from the government.

Past legislative efforts, such as the Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, attempted to secure expanded VA health care benefits, disability compensation, and other forms of relief for Camp Lejeune victims and their family members.

It wasn’t until the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 that a comprehensive solution to compensate all past victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination was established.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows Camp Lejeune victims file administrative claims for compensation against the US Government.

The Navy’s Tort Claims Unit (TCU) will promptly review compensation claims, and if the Navy TCU does denies a claim or does not deliver a decision within six months, victims can file Camp Lejeune Lawsuits in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Victims can work with qualified law firms to help them file administrative claims for compensation, and pursue Camp Lejeune Lawsuits if their claims are unsuccessful.

If you or a loved one lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file a Camp Lejeune claim instantly.

Adverse Health Effects of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

The consumption of Camp Lejeune contaminated water has been linked to a number of cancer and non-cancer diagnoses.

The characterization of Camp Lejeune health conditions is detailed in a 2009 book published by the National Research Council (NRC).

Certain cancer diagnoses potentially linked to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune include:

• Bladder Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Leukemia
• Lung Cancer
• Multiple Myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Prostate Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer
• Rectal Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Central Nervous System Cancer
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes
• Brain Cancer
• Cervical Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Appendix Cancer
• Bile Duct Cancer
• Gallbladder Cancer
• Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Intestinal Cancer
• Sinus Cancer
• Soft Tissue Sarcoma
• Spinal Cancer
• Thyroid Cancer

Non-cancer diagnoses suffered by Camp Lejeune victims include:

• Hepatic Steatosis
• Miscarriage & Fetal Death
• Neurobehavioral Effects
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Aplastic Anemia
• Kidney Disease
• Scleroderma
• ALS
• Lupus
• Epilepsy
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Cardiac Birth Defects
• Infertility
• Renal Toxicity
• Autoimmune Disease
• Birth Defects
• Liver Disease
• Cognitive Disability
• Microcephaly
• Renal Disease
• Tooth Decay
• Hypersensitive Skin Disorder
• Nerve Damage
• Oral Cleft

Service members, their families, civilian workers, and countless others were diagnosed with deadly health conditions and, for years, could not secure the benefits they desperately needed.

What Caused Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune?

In 1982, a study conducted by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) traced the contamination of the Camp Lejeune water supply to a dry cleaning facility near the base.

The business used large quantities of cleaning solvents, and their unethical waste disposal caused water contamination.

The Tarawa Terrace and the Hadnot Point water treatment plants, two of the eight water treatment plants on the base, were found to be the primary sources of contamination.

These water systems had abnormally high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that had seeped into the drinking water.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) studied the water contamination at Camp Lejeune and discovered that it affected over one million Camp Lejeune residents from 1953 to 1987.

These individuals unknowingly drank, bathed, and cooked with toxic water for years, and were subsequently diagnosed with cancer, birth defects, neurological disorders, and other health risks.

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

The ATSDR found toxic concentrations of volatile organic compounds in the two water treatment plants at Camp Lejeune.

The Tarawa Terrace treatment plant had high tetrachloroethylene (PCE) levels, and the Hadnot Point treatment plant had high trichloroethylene (TCE) levels.

Other toxic substances found in the Camp Lejeune water include:

• Benzene
• Vinyl Chloride
• Trans 1,2-Dichloroethylene (DCE)
• Other volatile organic compounds

These contaminants can cause serious health problems, including autoimmune disorders. People exposed to contaminated drinking water are at a higher risk of developing an autoimmune disease.

Do You Qualify To File a Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claim or Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

Have you or a loved one been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease due to exposure to contaminated water at the Camp Lejeune base?

If so, you may be eligible for financial compensation.

If you meet the eligibility criteria, you may file a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim for an autoimmune disease and demand financial compensation for your injuries and damages.

Camp Lejeune lawyers specialize in handling Camp Lejeune lawsuits and can provide the legal guidance you need.

Experienced Camp Lejeune lawyers will help victims gather evidence to prove their residence at Camp Lejeune and related health conditions, as well as assess damages to demand an adequate and complete Camp Lejeune settlement.

Gathering Evidence for Camp Lejeune Claims

Collecting evidence is a critical part of the Camp Lejeune litigation process.

Evidence in a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit 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

Your Camp Lejeune lawyer can help you organize and present your evidence and submit it properly to the proper parties.

Camp Lejeune attorneys will also assist in preparing legal documents, meeting all deadlines, and representing you throughout the administrative claims process and subsequent Camp Lejeune litigation.

Gathering evidence is a step of the Camp Lejeune claims process that you can begin on your own, but an experience law firm can help you secure and retain evidence relevant to your exposure to the contaminated water supply.

Assessing Damages for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits

Assessing damages for a Camp Lejeune claim involves considering the physical, emotional, and financial harms caused by exposure to contaminated water, including:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium

Your Camp Lejeune lawyer can help you calculate the damages you are eligible to receive to ensure you obtain fair compensation for the losses and harm caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

TorHoerman Law: Your Camp Lejeune Lawyers

If you or a loved one has been affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune and developed an autoimmune disease or other medical condition, our law firm and experienced Camp Lejeune attorneys are here to help.

We understand the complexities of Camp Lejeune cases and can provide you with the legal representation you need to pursue justice and compensation.

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

Veterans exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune deserve justice.

New federal law allows Camp Lejeune veterans, family members, and others exposed to contaminated water seek compensation.

Let our Camp Lejeune lawyers help you through this process and ensure that your are adequately compensated.