Service members who were stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 may have come into contact with contaminated drinking water. Studies have shown a link between drinking the water at Camp Lejeune during these years and developing serious health conditions later in life.

Some people who were exposed to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune have developed severe health conditions including Parkinson’s disease, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, liver cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, adult leukemia, aplastic anemia, and more. 

If you’ve recently learned that you may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, it’s normal to feel angry, frustrated, and unsure of what to do next. Thankfully, there are many resources available to help you move forward. Here, we’ve compiled a list of resources for people who survived exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. 

1. Veterans Affairs

Commonly known as the VA, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs exists to support veterans in their lives after military service. Currently, a portion of the VA’s website is dedicated to helping veterans who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and Air Station New River. 

If you were exposed to the drinking water at these bases in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and/or 80s, you may be eligible for disability benefits from the VA, as well as other types of compensation. Take a look at the VA’s website to see if you meet all of the qualifications for disability benefits following exposure to contaminated water. 

2. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

The Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry is run by the Center for Disease Control. The Agency estimates that up to one million military members, civilian staff members, and families of those who worked on post may have been exposed to harmful drinking water contaminants at Camp Lejeune. 

In addition to providing survivors with information and updates, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry also provides marines and their families with a community assistance panel on their website, allowing people affected to come together and discuss what they’ve been through following exposure.

3. The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten

This veterans’ advocacy group works to help former marines realize that they’re not alone in their struggle to get well following exposure to drinking water contaminants at Camp Lejeune. In addition to providing a community assistance panel, the group also provides a discussion board, a registration for people affected to record their symptoms, and personal stories from people who were exposed to the Camp Lejeune water. 

4. Water Survivors Discussion Group

Many people who are dealing with the after effects of drinking the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune feel like they’re alone in their struggles. Now that the issues with the water on post are out in the open, many survivors feel relief in connecting with others who have experienced similar health issues following exposure. 

The Water Survivors Discussion Group provides people who were exposed to the water at Camp Lejeune with a way to connect, share stories, and share resources. 

5. Military Officers Association of America

Also known as MOAA, the Military Officers Association of America provides survivors of the Camp Lejeune water contamination with personal stories that help them feel a sense of community with others. In addition to helping victims understand that they aren’t alone, MOAA also provides survivors with the resources they need to move forward with getting the assistance they deserve following their ordeal. 

6. Vets HQ

An independent website, Vets HQ provides information and resources for veterans who are experiencing health issues following exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The website provides information on the history of how the government has handled the Camp Lejeune contamination issue, and provides information and resources to help survivors learn more. 

7. National Academies

If you’re looking to get into the nitty-gritty of the science behind the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you’ll want to be sure to check out the free PDF of the report from the National Research Council regarding water on post. Good news: you can download the report for free (or read it online for free), which can help you learn more about exactly what went wrong with the Camp Lejeune water supply. 

If You Were Exposed To Contaminated Water At Camp Lejeune, You’re Not Alone. 

It can be overwhelming to realize that exposure to contaminated drinking water could cause health issues decades later, and you have the right to be angry that your health was negatively affected by water that should have been safe. Whether your medical bills are piling up due to your health issues or you’ve struggled to keep a job due to health problems, you deserve to be compensated for your pain and suffering caused by drinking contaminated water. 

If you served at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible for financial compensation. You don’t have to try to figure this out on your own–our case specialists are here to guide you every step of the way. Reach out to us today for a free case evaluation.