Bringardner Injury Law Firm is accepting cases for victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination. Exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune has caused cancers and other serious medical problems for thousands of veterans, their families, and others who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune.
Official surveys and government studies have linked various cancers to the poisoned water at Camp Lejeune. Understanding these links is key to legal claims that may be brought on behalf of victims. Our injury attorneys explain cancers linked to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water.
Types of Cancers Linked to Camp Lejeune’s Contaminated Water
Various studies and scientific research have linked many types of cancer to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water.
Bladder Cancer
The Veterans Administration recognizes bladder cancer as a presumptive condition for disability benefits for those who were exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune. In doing so, they effectively admit a causal link from exposure. Bladder cancer impacts the urinary system and may spread to other parts of the body.
Childhood Cancers
A child may be more likely to have leukemia or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma if their mother had toxic water exposure in their first trimester. Findings for childhood cancer were weaker than for neural tube defects. (ATSDR, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Birth Defects and Childhood Cancers Study)
Cervical Cancer
The 2014 Environmental Health study (discussed infra) found elevated occurrences of cervical cancer among the Camp Lejeune population as opposed to a Camp Pendleton population during the same period. The study called cervical cancer a disease of primary interest, indicating significantly higher incidence rates in the exposed population.
Esophageal Cancer
Esophageal cancer can be treated, but it is rarely cured. While personal behaviors may contribute to esophageal cancer, the Environmental Health study found that rates of esophageal cancer in Camp Lejeune populations were unlikely to be confounded by smoking.
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a presumptive condition under U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability benefits standards. This inclusion serves as an admission of the probable link between toxic water exposure and this aggressive type of cancer.
Kidney Cancer
Studies have shown one of the strongest links between Camp Lejeune water exposure and kidney cancer as compared to other types of cancers. The highest rates of kidney cancer are among those with the highest cumulative exposures to the harmful chemicals in the water. In addition, studies of mice reveal kidney cancers in groups exposed to the same toxins found in the water at Camp Lejeune. Symptoms of kidney cancer may include blood in urine, back pain, weight loss, exhaustion and fever.
Liver Cancer
Liver cancer following Camp Lejeune exposure is a presumptive condition for VA disability benefits. In the Environmental Health study, individuals in the Camp Lejeune population had higher incidence rates of liver cancer as compared to the Camp Pendleton group.
Leukemia
Leukemia is common among victims of the toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune.
Lung Cancer
Not only is lung cancer believed to be linked to Camp Lejeune exposure, experts found that the higher rates were mainly among those with higher cumulative exposure. Lung cancer symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, chest pain, weight loss and headache.
Prostate Cancer
The Environmental Health Journal identifies prostate cancer as a disease of secondary interest, with standard mortality ratios above 1.00 for both Camp Lejeune and Camp Pendleton populations.
Male Breast Cancer
Studies show possible links between Camp Lejeune toxins exposure and male breast cancer. ATSDR officials intend to conduct further inquiry about incidents of male breast cancer in the Camp Lejeune population. (ATSDR, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Male Breast Cancer Results)
*This discussion is limited to types of cancers likely linked to Camp Lejeune water exposure. There are numerous other diseases and maladies, besides cancer, that may have resulted from toxic water exposure at the military base. Along with cancer, these diseases may be the basis for monetary compensation.
Studies Linking Camp Lejeune Water to Cancer
How did the government discover high cancer rates from Camp Lejeune?
In 2008, Congress signed the National Defense Authorization Act for the fiscal year. The law required the Agency of Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to analyze the personal health information of people who lived and worked at Camp Lejeune. The survey also collected data from individuals stationed at Camp Pendleton during the same period as a control group.
The survey concluded that causation between exposure to the water and disease is “equipoise and above.” That means the evidence suggests a link between exposure and certain health problems, but not necessarily a strong enough correlation to conclude that the exposure must have caused the health problems.
Note: Inquiries into cancer rates among those at Camp Lejeune are ongoing. Some data suggests elevated levels of all cancers among the Camp Lejeune population. Research and conclusions continue to be updated, with a few types of cancer questioned by government decision-makers (See Federal Register, Diseases Associated With Exposure to Contaminants in the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune, 2017, a 2016 VA denial of service connection for colon cancer due to Camp Lejeune water, and another decision requesting further exploration of the link between service and colon cancer).
We invite you to work with our attorneys who will explore every avenue to get you compensated for the harm you have suffered after serving at Camp Lejeune.
What are some studies linking cancer to toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune?
National Research Council (US) Committee on Contaminated Drinking Water at Camp Lejeune, Contaminated Water Supplies at Camp Lejeune: Assessing Potential Health Effects, 2009
ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry), Morbidity Study of Former Marines, Employees, and Dependents Potentially Exposed to Contaminated Drinking Water at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, 2018; See Study Fact Sheet
Bove, Ruckard, Maslia & Larson, Environmental Health Journal, Evaluation of mortality among marines and navy personnel exposed to contaminated drinking water at USMC base Camp Lejeune: a retrospective cohort study, 2014
Other Information
National Academies Press, Review of VA Clinical Guidance for the Health Conditions Identified by the Camp Lejeune Legislation, 2015
Staff Writer, Tampa Bay Times, Study Shows Higher Cancer Deaths at Camp Lejeune, 2014
Claims for Compensation for Camp Lejeune Cancer Victims
Have you contracted cancer after living or working at Camp Lejeune? If you had 30 or more days of exposure between 1957 and 1987, you may receive compensation.
The Bringardner Injury Law Firm does everything we can to maximize compensation in your case. Things are moving quickly as we prepare to bring claims on behalf of Camp Lejeune cancer victims. The sooner you hire us, the sooner we can begin working towards justice for you.
When you choose us, you can feel confident that your case is in good hands. Contact us now to begin.