What Happened at Camp Lejeune?
From the early 1950s to the late 1980s, many of the people living or working at Camp Lejeune were exposed to drinking water that was severely contaminated with toxic chemicals such as benzene, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride. These chemicals had been improperly stored and disposed of on and around the base. The Navy became aware that there was something wrong with the drinking water in the early 80s. However, the most contaminated wells remained in operation until 1985.
Who was Eligible to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was signed into law on August 10, 2022. It created a federal cause of action for certain people who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and suffered harm as a result.
The deadline to file a new administrative claim under the CLJA was August 10, 2024. The Department of the Navy is no longer accepting new CLJA claims and cannot grant exceptions to that filing deadline.
Claims submitted by the deadline continue to be reviewed and resolved. Generally, the CLJA applied to individuals who were exposed to water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and later developed an illness or other harm associated with the contaminated water.
What Cancers are Associated with the Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune?
Exposure to contaminants found in Camp Lejeune’s drinking water has been studied in connection with numerous cancers, including:
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- Aplastic Anemia
- Brain Cancer
- Bile Duct Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Bladder Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer
- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
- Esophageal Cancer
- Gallbladder Cancer
- Hodgkin’s disease
- Intestinal Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Laryngeal Cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Multiple Myeloma
- Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Other Leukemias
- Ovarian Cancer
- Pancreatic Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Spinal Cancer
- Thyroid Cancer
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What Other Types of Illnesses are Associated with the Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune?
Researchers have also studied Camp Lejeune’s water contaminants in connection with other serious health conditions, including:
- Birth Defects & Birth Injuries
- Female Infertility
- Hepatic Steatosis (Fatty Liver Disease)
- Low Birth Weight
- Major Malformations
- Miscarriage
- Neurobehavioral Effects
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Renal Toxicity
- Scleroderma (systemic Sclerosis)
- Toxic Encephalopathy
The Toxins in Camp Lejeune Water
What is Benzene?
Benzene is a carcinogenic aromatic hydrocarbon that is present in almost all petroleum products. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies benzene as a group 1 carcinogen. It is most strongly associated with cancers of the blood and bone marrow.
What is Tetrachloroethylene?
Tetrachloroethylene (AKA perchloroethylene or PCE) is a carcinogenic chlorocarbon. It was commonly used as an industrial degreaser and in the dry-cleaning of fabrics. The IARC has classified PCE as a Group 2A carcinogen. It is most strongly associated with urinary bladder cancer. PCE also has strong ties with neurodegenerative illnesses such as toxic encephalopathy and Parkinson’s disease.
What is Trichloroethylene?
Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a carcinogenic chlorocarbon that was widely used as an industrial degreaser. The IARC classifies TCE as a group 1 carcinogen. It is most strongly associated with Kidney cancer, however, it is also linked with cancer of the liver and bile duct as well as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. TCE has also been strongly associated with neurodegenerative illnesses such as toxic encephalopathy and Parkinson’s disease.
What is Vinyl Chloride?
Vinyl chloride (VC) is a carcinogenic organochloride. Vinyl chloride’s primary use is in the production of PVC pipe. TCE and PCE in groundwater degrade into VC over time. The IARC classifies VC as a group 1 carcinogen. It is most strongly associated with liver cancer.
Camp Lejeune Claims Are Still Being Resolved
Although the deadline to file a new Camp Lejeune Justice Act claim was August 10, 2024, thousands of timely filed claims remain in the administrative and litigation process. Claimants who filed before the deadline may still be awaiting review, a settlement offer, or resolution of their claim.
If you filed a Camp Lejeune claim by the deadline and have questions about its status or your legal options, an attorney at Hughes Law Office can help you understand the next steps in the process.
Call 1-800-BENZENE today and speak directly with an attorney at no cost to you.
