A new study has confirmed the connection between exposure to contaminated water at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Parkinson’s disease, an incurable disorder that can cause tremors, movement difficulties, speech problems, and other debilitating neurological symptoms.

Published earlier this week in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the study determined that Marines who were stationed at the North Carolina base between 1975 and 1985 are 70% more likely to develop Parkinson’s than those who were not.

The likely culprit is trichloroethylene (TCE), a chemical used in dry cleaning and one of many toxins known to have contaminated Camp Lejeune’s drinking water between 1953 and 1987. The link between TCE and is well-established.

Other contaminants in Camp Lejeune’s water supply included tetrachloroethylene, vinyl chloride, and benzene. Together, they are known to cause cancer, kidney disease, birth defects, infertility, and other serious health problems.

As many as 500,000 service personnel, family members, and civilian workers were put at risk.

In 2022, the U.S. Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which provides financial benefits to individuals and families impacted by the contamination. If you or a family member were exposed to the Camp Lejeune contamination, you may be eligible to file a claim with the federal government and receive compensation for medical expenses and other damages.

If you believe you or a loved one has developed Parkinson’s disease or another health condition as a result of exposure to Camp Lejeune’s water supply, here are the steps you should take:

Determine Your Eligibility for a Claim

In order to be eligible for a Camp Lejeune water contamination claim, you or your loved one must have served or been stationed at the base for at least 30 consecutive days sometime between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. You or your loved one must also have a health problem that has been diagnosed by a medical professional and that could have been caused by the Camp Lejeune water contamination. You can see a partial list of applicable health conditions here.

Gather Your Documentation

The next step in filing a claim is to gather all documentation that you have related to your time at Camp Lejeune. This includes your military service records, medical records, employment history, and any other records that can help to prove your eligibility and the extent of your damages. It is important to have as much documentation as possible, as this will help to strengthen your claim.

Consult with a Camp Lejeune Lawyer or Law Firm

Once you have gathered your documentation, it is important to consult with a Camp Lejeune lawyer or law firm. The Roach Law Firm can review your case and help you determine if you or your loved ones are eligible for compensation.

File Your Claim with the Federal Government

It’s important to note that claims made under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act are not made with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Camp Lejeune victims must instead file their claims with the Department of the Navy, which is then given six months to resolve them. If no satisfactory resolution is reached after that time, claimants are eligible to file legal action against the government. A federal court in North Carolina recently dismissed several Camp Lejeune cases because the victims had failed to first file administrative claims with the Navy.

If you believe that you were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, it is important to take action as soon as possible. The Roach Law Firm’s Camp Lejeune lawyers can help you navigate the claim process and receive the compensation you deserve.