Cleft Palate Linked to Contaminated Drinking Water at Camp Lejeune

Military service members and family members were exposed to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated drinking water between 1953 and 1987.

During this time, the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune contained up to 48,000 pounds of toxic substanceswhich included various cleaning solvents and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Organizations like the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) have linked VOC exposure at Camp Lejeune to various illnesses.

Those who were pregnant during the time of exposure to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune delivered children who suffered birth defects like cleft palates.

Cleft palate is one of several birth defects associated with prenatal VOC exposure at the Marine Corps base.

The ATDSR identified more than 24 cases of cleft palate during its investigation into the health effects of prenatal VOC exposure.

Even the Board of Veterans’ Appeals was aware of the cleft palate cases at Camp Lejeune.

In the late 90s, the board identified several birth defects ranging from cleft palate to neural tube defects like spina bifida.

The cases identified were in the children of mothers exposed to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water supply between 1953 and 1987.

Camp Lejeune victims are filing lawsuits because their children developed oral clefts due to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water.

If you have a child who developed oral clefts while you were pregnant at Camp Lejeune, or you developed a cleft palate after prenatal exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune claim.

Contact the Camp Lejeune attorneys at TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to instantly find out if you are eligible for the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.

About Oral Clefts

Oral clefts — also known as cleft lip and cleft palate — are congenital (present at birth) birth defects that affect the upper lip and/or the roof of the mouth (palate).

These conditions occur when the tissues that form the lip and palate do not fully come together during fetal development.

When the tissues fail to fuse, it results in a gap or cleft.

Oral clefts can vary in severity and may involve one or both sides of the lip.

Oral clefts may also manifest as cleft palates.

Oral Cleft/Cleft Palate and Its Causes

The exact cause of oral clefts is not always known, but they are thought to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

Factors that may increase the risk of oral clefts include family history, maternal smoking or alcohol use during pregnancy, certain medications, and exposure to certain infections during pregnancy.

Chemical exposure during pregnancy also increases a child’s risk of developing an oral cleft.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, exposure during the first trimester to trichloroethylene (TCE) is especially detrimental to a child’s full lip and palate development.

TCE was one of the VOCs in Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water.

Oral Cleft Complications

Cleft lips and palates are congenital birth defects that can result in several complications and challenges for affected individuals.

The severity of these complications can vary depending on the extent and location of the cleft.

Some common complications associated with oral clefts include:

• Feeding difficulties
• Delays in speech
• Dental problems
• Ear infections and hearing problems
• Emotional trauma

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Overview

Camp Lejeune’s water supply was contaminated with highly toxic substances for over 30 years.

Active duty military service members, their family members, National Guard members, civilian workers, and others who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune were exposed to highly contaminated water.

The toxic chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune have been linked to cancer, birth defects, neurological disorders, and other devastating health problems.

The federal government knew about water contamination at Camp Lejeune, but did nothing to stop it and avoided compensating individuals for harm suffered at the Marine Corps base.

Camp Lejeune victims sought relief in the form of legislation.

The Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 was enacted to expand VA health care benefits and disability compensation for affected veterans, but it was not comprehensive enough to address the breadth of the water contamination at Camp Lejeune and many veterans were denied health care benefits.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 aims to provide a comprehensive solution for victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination.

Under this act, victims can file Camp Lejeune administrative claims for compensation due to health problems and exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Navy’s Tort Claims Unit (TCU) will promptly review compensation claims.

If the Navy TCU does not adjudicate a Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim within six months, or denies a claim, victims may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

All Camp Lejeune Lawsuits filed after the administrative claims process will be handled in North Carolina federal court.

If eligible, affected individuals and their family members may be able to recover Camp Lejeune settlement amounts ranging from $10,000 to $500,000.

Since the enactment of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, the Camp Lejeune litigation has gained momentum, with hundreds coming forward to file their claims.

Adverse Health Effects of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

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

Camp Lejeune victims suffered for decades without a proper path to compensation and relief for these illnesses.

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 they could not secure the benefits they desperately needed.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act and Camp Lejeune litigation offers a path forward for Camp Lejeune veterans and other Camp Lejeune victims.

What Caused Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune?

The contamination of the Camp Lejeune water supply occurred when VOCs and toxic substances seeped into various water treatment facilities in Camp Lejeune.

The VOCs came from waste disposal facilities and underground storage tanks located in and around the Marine Corps base, as well as an off-base dry cleaner which was the source of TCE and PCE contamination.

The substances infiltrated various facilities that supplied much of the base’s drinking water.

Two of the most contaminated areas were the Hadnot Point Treatment Plant and the Tarawa Terrace Treatment Plant.

With the base’s water supply contaminated, many were exposed to hazardous substances and developed illnesses like cancers.

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

The CDC’s ATSDR discovered more than 70 chemicals and solvents in the water supply at Camp Lejeune.

Among these toxic substances were volatile organic compounds that have been linked to cancer, autoimmune illnesses, and birth defects.

The four toxic chemicals with the highest concentrations in the water at Camp Lejeune were:

• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
• Benzene
• Vinyl chloride

Do You Qualify To File a Camp Lejeune Justice Act Claim for Cleft Palate?

To be eligible to file a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, you must meet three conditions.

First, you must have either lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 days during the exposure period, which spans from mid-1953 to 1987.

Second, you must have experienced exposure to waterborne toxins during your time at Camp Lejeune. Your exposure can be direct or from ingesting Camp Lejeune’s water.

Lastly, you must have developed a medical condition that appears on the list of illnesses officially recognized by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) as being linked to the chemicals discovered in the Camp Lejeune water supply.

The list of diseases (or presumptive conditions) includes:

• Cancers (such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma)
• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Birth defects (like oral clefts)
• Neurological disorders
• Skin conditions

Gathering Evidence for Camp Lejeune Claims

Several pieces of evidence will be crucial to your claim.

First, to prove that you were exposed to Camp Lejeune’s water supply, you will need documents showing your stay and military service at the base.

These documents can be your service or residential records.

The records must also show that you were at the base between 1953 and 1987.

Also, you need to prove that your child developed any of the illnesses linked to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

Documents that can show your child’s illness will include medical records, lab tests, treatment records, and an oral palate diagnosis from a physician.

Assessing Damages for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Claims

An essential part of filing your Camp Lejeune water lawsuit is knowing how much you’ve lost. This is where our attorneys come in.

With us in your corner, we can accurately assess your damages and maximize them.

Whenever our attorneys calculate Camp Lejeune settlements, we include financial losses like medical bills, lost wages, and other treatment costs.

We also understand that no parent deserves to see their children suffer from birth defects like oral clefts.

For this reason, our attorneys maximize your settlement by adding pain and suffering to the list of damages.

Once we assess your damages, you can rest assured that you will receive a fair settlement when your Camp Lejeune lawsuit is resolved.

TorHoerman Law: Your Camp Lejeune Lawyers

Our Camp Lejeune lawyers are reviewing Camp Lejeune cases daily, assessing victims eligibility to file claims.

The water contamination at Camp Lejeune lasted for over 30 years, exposing potentially over one million people to toxic substances linked to cancer.

If you or a loved one were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more 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 Lawsuit instantly.

Reach out to our lawyers with any questions you may have about your potential Camp Lejeune Lawsuit, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, Camp Lejeune civil cases, and more.

We’re here to help you seek justice.