A new study shows a significant relationship between prolonged exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE) and a 70% higher risk of having Parkinson’s disease.
The researchers compared Parkinson’s disease diagnoses in about 300,000 veterans from the Navy and the Marine Corps, with half having served at Camp Lejeune, the TCE-contaminated site.
They found that Camp Lejeune veterans had a 70% higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease than their counterparts.
If you are one of those who served at Camp Lejeune and developed Parkinson’s disease, you have a right to seek compensation from the government.
Read this post to understand whether you qualify and how to proceed with your Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
Camp Lejeune Veterans Develop Life-Threatening Conditions from Polluted Water
Many military personnel, their family members, and non-military contractors faced exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987.
Many people have filed Camp Lejeune lawsuits since then, claiming that the government knew of the pollution yet did nothing to stop it.
Reports suggest that a dry cleaning business and numerous chemical spills caused dangerous chemicals to contaminate the water system.
Service members and their families who lived or worked at the base during this period started to develop several primary health conditions, including:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia
- Congenital disabilities
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Hepatic steatosis
- Infertility and miscarriage
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Myelodysplastic syndrome
- Neurobehavioral issues
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Prostate cancer
- Scleroderma
These injuries are pretty severe. But despite this, most victims were prohibited from filing lawsuits because the North Carolina statute of limitations expired before their ailments manifested.
A recent law, the PACT Act, made it possible for these people to get around this limitation and file lawsuits to get compensation for their damages, including medical costs, wrongful death, and reduced quality of life.
Study Provides New Evidence to Show Link Between TCE and Parkinson’s Disease
Besides military personnel seeking damages for cancer, congenital disabilities, and other medical issues, their family members can also file Camp Lejeune lawsuits.
In the future, this class of litigants may benefit from a new investigation by a team of scientists interested in the causal link between Parkinson’s disease and TCE, which is among the most alarming contaminants at Camp Lejeune.
The study’s scope narrowed to 340,000 service members stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1975 to 1985, analyzing medical data from the Department of Veterans Affairs. During this period, TCE concentrations were 70 times higher than the EPA considered tolerable.
The study then contrasted the health of troops serving at Camp Pendelton exposed to substantially lower TCE amounts to the health of Camp Lejeune troops. According to the research, Camp Lejeune veterans were 70% more likely to have Parkinson’s disease than their Camp Pendelton peers.
Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that impairs speech and movement and ultimately incapacitates victims. For most families, this causes various financial burdens linked with the cost of care and emotional damages.
Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a severe neurological disorder that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. The symptoms are mild at first and then deteriorate with time.
Parkinson’s disease has no known treatment, but drugs and surgery can help alleviate the symptoms. Parkinson’s disease has four primary symptoms:
- Uncontrollable spasms in the hands, legs, or head
- Slow movement
- Issues with balance and coordination
- Muscle stiffness
If you worked or lived at Camp Lejeune and have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, you may qualify for compensation. Consider speaking to a personal injury lawyer about your eligibility in a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
Seek Help with Your Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
The U.S. government is working to fix the appalling case of negligence that resulted in the water system at Camp Lejeune being contaminated for many years.
Military members and their families should have access to safe drinking water when working and residing at military bases.
If you developed Parkinson’s disease following exposure to TCE at Camp Lejeune, Legal Giant could help you by connecting you with an experienced lawyer.
We partner with the best lawyers with the reputation, skill, and experience to fight for your rights and maximize your compensation.
Our partner attorneys will help you gather the evidence of your injuries, file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, and represent you in court to ensure a fair settlement.
Contact us for a free case evaluation today.
