Camp Lejeune Lung Cancer
Camp Lejeune is a military installation in North Carolina that has been home to thousands of Marines and their families since 1957. Unfortunately, many of these families have been affected by the water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
Between 1953 and 1987, Camp Lejeune’s water was contaminated with Trichloroethylene (TCE), Perchloroethylene (PCE), Vinyl Chloride, Benzene, and other hazardous chemicals. These chemicals have been linked to cancer, including lung cancer.
Were you or a loved one affected by Camp Lejeune’s water contamination? The personal injury attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team, sponsored by Rosenfeld Law Offices, legally advocate for injured victims harmed on military installations.
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History of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Camp Lejeune has a long history of water contamination problems. The federal government built the base in 1957, and the drinking water was contaminated with toxic chemicals for years. These chemicals have all been linked to various forms of cancer, including lung cancer. The contamination was so bad in some cases that the water turned green.
The problem went largely unnoticed until the early 1980s when a group of concerned citizens brought it to the attention of state and federal officials. An investigation was launched, and it was soon discovered that the water at Camp Lejeune was highly contaminated.
Highly Toxic Volatile Organic Compounds
The investigation revealed that the water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with TCE, benzene, and vinyl chloride. These chemicals are all known to cause cancer.
In 1987, the water at Camp Lejeune was finally declared unsafe to drink, and a clean-up operation was launched. However, by that time, it was too late for many Marines and their families who had already been exposed to the contaminated water.
These Camp Lejeune victims have since developed several health problems, including cancer. In some cases, the cancer has been fatal.
The government has acknowledged the problem and set up a fund to help those affected. However, many victims have not received the compensation they deserve.
Studies Link Camp Lejeune Water Contamination to Lung Cancer
Several health studies have linked lung cancer to Camp Lejeune’s water contamination. Some of the most notable studies include:
- The 2011 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) cancer incidence study found that veterans exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune were twice as likely to develop lung cancer as those who were not.
- The 2012 Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) research study found that people who drank the water at the Marine Corps Camp Lejeune had an increased risk of developing lung cancer.
- The 2016 National Academy of Sciences (NAS) study identified exposure to the contaminated water at the base as an increased risk factor for developing severe medical conditions, life-threatening diseases, and cancers, including lung cancer.
Lung Cancer Symptoms
Cancer begins when cells in the body start to grow out of control. Cells in almost any body part can become cancerous and spread to other parts of the body.
Lung cancer starts in the lungs but can spread (metastasize) to other body areas, including the brain, lymph nodes, and bones. Without intervention, it is usually fatal.
Lung cancer often does not cause any symptoms until it has spread, making it challenging to detect early. When symptoms do occur, they may include:
- A cough that does not go away or gets worse
- Chest pain that is often worse with deep breathing, coughing, or laughing
- Hoarseness
- Weight loss and fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Blood in phlegm
You must see a doctor immediately if you experience any of these symptoms. In some cases, people may not have any symptoms until the lung cancer is quite advanced.
Do Smokers Who Developed Lung Cancer Qualify for VA Disability Benefits?
The government will likely consider how long-term smoking led to lung cancer and not exposure to contaminants in the Camp Lejeune water supply. Typically, it takes years of smoking before any health effects are seen.
The Camp Lejeune Justice and PACT Acts Provide Financial Relief
The US Congress merge the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) into the significantly larger veteran benefits bill Honoring Our Pact Act (PACT Act) to finally bring much-needed financial relief to veterans and their families who have been victims of the water contamination at the base.
The PACT Act will now provide $2 billion in funding for medical care and monetary benefits for veterans and their families affected by the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. This newly passed Act is a significant victory for those who have been fighting for justice for years, and it will finally help them get the care and compensation they deserve.
If you or a loved one were stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1957 and 1987, you might be eligible for VA benefits if you develop lung cancer or one of the following conditions:
- Adult leukaemia
- Adverse birth outcomes
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Breast cancer
- Brain cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Cardiac defect
- Cervical cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility
- Heart defect
- Hepatic steatosis
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancers
- Liver diseases
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)
- Ovarian cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Plasma cell myeloma
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal, colorectal/colon cancers
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
- Other cancers
If you have been diagnosed with one of these conditions, you should contact a veterans disability lawyer to discuss your case and see if you are eligible for VA benefits. You may also qualify for other types of compensation, such as the Camp Lejeune Victims Compensation Fund.
Filing a Camp LeJeune Lung Cancer Lawsuit
The lawsuit opportunity is available to all Camp Lejeune residents living at or near the base between January 1, 1957, and December 31, 1987, who developed deadly lung cancer or other severe medical conditions after exposure to the contaminated water supply.
To file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, you must be able to provide evidence that you were exposed to the contaminated water and that you subsequently developed life-threatening lung cancer. Evidence could include military service records, water test results, and medical records.
The VA Administration Creates a Presumption of Service Connection for Veterans with Camp Lejeune-Related Diseases
The Veterans Affairs Administration (VA) has created a presumption of service connection for certain diseases associated with exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
This presumption means that if you are a veteran who resided at the military base during the appropriate time and were subsequently diagnosed with lung cancer or other diseases on the presumptive list, including:
- Breast cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
30-Day Exposure Requirement
Camp Lejeune residents and workers at the base for 30 or more days (consecutive or non-consecutive) from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, who developed lung cancer or other qualifying diseases have satisfied the 30-day exposure requirement.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination and Disability Benefits
If you developed cancer after exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you might be eligible for monetary benefits through the VA office.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2012 provides specific benefits to veterans and active duty service members exposed to contaminants in the drinking water supply at Camp Lejeune between 1957 and 1987. These benefits include:
- Health care for conditions related to exposure
- Disability compensation for eligible veterans and service members
- Outreach and assistance from the VA
- Home loan guarantees for eligible veterans and service members
If you think you may be eligible for benefits, you should contact the VA to learn more about the application process. If the VA denies your benefits, consider speaking with our personal injury lawyers to resolve any dispute about monetary benefits for your lung cancer.
Hire a Camp Lejeune Lung Cancer Lawyer to Obtain All the Benefits You Deserve
Have you been diagnosed with lung cancer decades after being stationed at Camp Lejeune? Do you suspect lung cancer developed from your exposure to the base’s toxic water supply?
The personal injury attorneys at Injury Lawyer Team have represented many veterans who developed cancer after being stationed at Camp Lejeune. We understand the process of filing a claim or lawsuit and can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We accept every Camp Lejeune lawsuit on a contingency fee basis. This agreement means you won’t owe us attorney fees until we win your case through a negotiated settlement or jury award.
Contact our office today to start your Camp Lejeune lung cancer claim or lawsuit. All confidential information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship