Camp Lejeune: Neural tube defects claims

Camp Lejeune: Neural tube defects claims video

Neural tube defects usually occur in the first month of pregnancy, before a woman knows she is pregnant. The most common neural tube defects are spina bifida and anencephaly. What causes neural tube defects is a combination of multiple genes and multiple environmental factors. Exposure to PFAS, a group of toxic fluorinated chemicals, is also correlated with the development of neural tube defects. These chemicals were lurking in the drinking water of Camp Lejeune during the last century. If you were stationed with your husband or alone, as a female member of the military, while you were pregnant at this military base and gave birth to a child with a neural tube defect, you might be entitled to compensation, so we strongly encourage you to contact our experienced attorneys.

Claim Application

Exposure to organic solvents during pregnancy increases the risk of having a child with a neural tube defect

Neural tube defects

As some of the most common birth defects, neural tube defects occur in 1 out of 1,000 newborns in the United States. There are two types of neural tube defects, namely open and closed. While the former refers to the brain or the spinal cord being exposed through a defect in the skull or vertebrae, the latter occurs when the spinal defect is covered by skin.

Between 50% and 70% of neural tube defects can be prevented if the pregnant woman supplements her diet with folic acid. Insufficient folic acid is one of the main causes of neural tube defects. The following are the most common neural tube defects:

  • spina bifida
  • anencephaly
  • encephalocele
  • lipomyelomeningocele
  • tethered cord
  • lipomeningocele

Nevertheless, even if the pregnant woman who is exposed to PFAS takes enough folic acid, the risk of giving birth to a child with a neural tube defect is high, as these chemicals are highly toxic. The primary source of PFAS on military bases throughout the country is AFFF, a fire suppressant used to put out jet fuel and petroleum fires by military firefighters and trainees. Once PFAS are released into the environment, they persist, as they are known as "forever chemicals." Similarly, once they enter the human body, they remain there forever, being able to cause serious health problems to the unborn child in pregnant women. If you gave birth to a child with a neural tube defect and were stationed at Camp Lejeune while you were pregnant, you might be entitled to financial compensation.

According to a study from Occupational and Environmental Medicine, exposure to chlorinated solvents during pregnancy was associated with a higher risk of neural tube defects, especially spina bifida. These solvents were present in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune, specifically trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, and perchloroethylene. So, pregnant women who spent time at the military base between 1953 and 1987 are at high risk of giving birth to a child with a neural tube defect.

Quality legal assistance for women who gave birth to children with neural tube defects after living at Camp Lejeune

With over 30 years of experience in pursuing compensation on behalf of victims of toxic exposure, our law firm has the necessary knowledge and resources to help you recover the money you deserve for your child if they were born with a neural tube defect as a consequence of your stay at Camp Lejeune. However, our attorneys will have to carefully review your documents before deciding whether you qualify for compensation. The legal process, while complex and tedious, will require minimal involvement on your part.

If you are a veteran, you will need to retrieve your military records and your child's medical records and send these documents to our legal team. Spouses of veterans will have to provide us with evidence of their stay at Camp Lejeune and their child's medical records. Eligible individuals will promptly have their claims filed, as we are aware that the cost of treatment can be very high. If our endeavors are fruitful, you might receive the financial compensation you are eligible for on behalf of your child's suffering.