Camp Lejeune Water Contamination and Heart Disease

About Heart Disease and Camp Lejeune Water

Many veterans exposed to the Camp Lejeune contaminated water are now dealing with heart disease and other heart conditions, but getting disability compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been an endless battle.

Additionally, many Camp Lejeune families have reported that their babies were born with cardiac defects after women were exposed while pregnant.

“I have 5 children and my wife has had 1 miscarriage. Child number 4 had several heart defects that required surgeries.”

—Camp Lejeune victim (1980-84)

For decades, heart disease Camp Lejeune victims have been left without answers and, more importantly, no relief.

However, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) of 2022 allows anyone who spent at least 30 days on the North Carolina military base between 1953 and 1987 a new pathway to seek compensation. This includes Camp Lejeune water contamination heart disease victims.

What Camp Lejeune Water Chemicals Are Linked With Heart Disease?

Prolonged exposure to tetrachloroethylene (TCE) has been associated with an increased risk of heart disease, especially in occupational settings. TCE is a volatile organic compound (VOC) used in many industrial applications.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), major heart defects are linked to drinking water contaminated by TCE. This man-made chemical was used by commercial dry cleaners near the military base.

Long-term exposure to benzene (found in gasoline, tobacco smoke, and certain industrial processes) has also been associated with an increased risk of heart diseases, including coronary artery disease.

TCE and benzene were both found in water on the base. The water systems most impacted were Tarawa Terrace, Hadnot Point, and Holcomb Boulevard.

What Are the Camp Lejeune Heart Problems?

Camp Lejeune’s water contamination has been associated with a range of serious heart-related health issues.

Camp Lejeune water contamination heart diseases and conditions include:

• Cardiomyopathy: Disease of the heart muscle that weakens its ability to pump blood effectively
• Congenital heart defects: Heart abnormalities present at birth, affecting heart function
• Coronary artery disease: Progressive blockage of arteries, restricting blood flow to the heart
• Heart arrhythmia: Irregular heart rhythms, potentially disrupting the heart’s pumping action
• Heart failure: Inability of the heart to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs
• Heart attack: Sudden blockage or reduction of blood flow to the heart, leading to tissue damage or death
• Stroke: Disruption of blood flow to the brain, causing brain cell damage or death

If you developed a heart condition or your loved one passed away from a heart-related issue after spending at least 30 days on the base, you may have new options for financial relief.

Camp Lejeune Heart Disease and VA Benefits

Many who served at Camp Lejeune have suspected that the water contamination caused heart conditions, but they faced decades of denials when seeking VA benefits. This is because heart disease is not recognized as a Camp Lejeune presumptive condition.

However, thanks to the CLJA, veterans who were denied VA benefits for a Camp Lejeune heart disease may be able to recover compensation from the federal government.

How the Camp Lejeune Justice Act Helps Heart Disease Victims

The CLJA helps Camp Lejeune heart disease victims by giving them another chance at accessing financial aid. Compensation comes from the federal government and is completely separate from the VA.

The PACT Act gives:

• Camp Lejeune victims the ability to sue the U.S. government for Camp Lejeune-related health issues.
• Family members the right to file wrongful death claims for Camp Lejeune victims who have died from their conditions.

The CLJA also simplifies the process for those with heart diseases linked to Camp Lejeune’s water contamination to file claims for compensation.

The bottom line is that the act makes it easier for those impacted to get the compensation they deserve.

Can I File a Heart Disease Camp Lejeune Claim?

You may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune heart disease claim if you spent at least 30 days on the base between 1953 and 1987.

This includes active duty military service members, civilian workers, and family members who were exposed to the contaminated drinking water.

While heart disease doesn’t have a recognized service connection, the CLJA opens up new pathways to compensation.

You may also be able to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination heart disease claim on behalf of a loved one who died, even if the death occurred decades ago. This could include a child if their mother was pregnant with them on the base for at least 30 days.

To file, you must submit evidence to the U.S. Department of the Navy. Once you have completed this step (called an administrative claim), the Navy has 180 days to respond to your Camp Lejeune water contamination heart disease claim.

If they do not respond or deny your claim, you can file a lawsuit against the federal government in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Deadline to File a Heart Disease Camp Lejeune Claim

The deadline to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination heart disease claim is August 10, 2024.

Meeting this deadline is essential, as failing to do so means you will no longer have the right to seek compensation under the CLJA.

The CLJA gives victims another chance at justice for the contaminated water disaster. This is especially important for heart disease Camp Lejeune victims, who have been repeatedly shut out of accessing relief.

Financial compensation can provide support for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by the toxic water.

A reputable Camp Lejeune lawyer can help ensure you meet your heart disease Camp Lejeune claim deadline. Their expertise can help you secure the compensation you deserve.

Don’t miss this opportunity for justice.

Find a Heart Disease Camp Lejeune Lawyer

If you or a loved one developed Camp Lejeune heart disease or another heart condition after spending at least 30 days on the base between 1953 and 1987, a skilled lawyer can help.

LawFirm.com partners with top lawyers who have already helped over 30,000 families with Camp Lejeune claims.