New Study Links Toxic Water at Camp Lejeune to Additional Cancers
A recent government study revealed that individuals, both military and civilian, who resided, worked, and served at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina during the mid-1970s and 1980s face a heightened risk of certain cancers and diseases. This study, released in late January 2024 and has been long awaited, suggests a potential expansion of eligible conditions for government compensation among veterans, reservists, guardsmen, and family members who lived and served at Camp Lejeune Marine Base.
Camp Lejeune’s water supply was contaminated with various chemicals from 1953 to 1987, exposing countless service members, civilians, and their families to health risks through drinking, bathing, and other routine uses of water. Previous research has linked this contamination to several specific cancers and diseases.
The new landmark study, initiated by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2015, focused on long-term cancer risks associated with service at the Camp Lejeune Marine Base. Its release was prompted by legal pressure from individuals seeking accountability and compensation for health issues linked to Camp Lejeune’s toxic water supply. The study used other Marine bases, where the water was not contaminated with toxic chemicals, to compare the rates of cancer and other diseases.
Those Exposed to Toxic Water at Camp Lejeune Are at Increased Risk
The study’s findings, released as the August 2024 deadline looms for filing compensation claims, highlight the significantly elevated risks of various cancers among individuals who lived, worked, and/or served at Camp Lejeune, compared to those at a non-contaminated base. Notably, the research identifies male breast cancer and several other cancer types previously unrecognized as connected to the base’s contamination. For more information, you can view the full study.
With over 160,000 claims filed so far, the study’s release marks a crucial step for affected individuals seeking recognition and support for their health challenges. Beyond its implications for Camp Lejeune, the study provides valuable insights into the broader health risks associated with exposure to toxic chemicals. It also emphasizes the importance of regular screenings and medical attention for those who may have been harmed.
The PACT Act
Congress passed the PACT Act in August of 2022, offering critical support to victims harmed by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. The Act created a two-year window in which those who meet certain criteria may file a claim for financial relief from the government due to the harm suffered after their exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune. That two-year window, or statute of limitations, is set to expire in August of 2024, so it is important to act now if you believe you have a claim.
Camp Lejeune Claim Requirements
Veterans, reservists, guardsmen, or family members may be eligible for compensation benefits if they meet all of the following requirements.
- You served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1953 and December 1987, AND
- You did not receive a dishonorable discharge when you separated from the military, AND
- You have been diagnosed with one or more of the following conditions:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver Cancer
- Multiple Myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Cardiac defects
- Esophageal cancer
- Lung cancer
- Infertility
- Miscarriage
- Kidney Failure
- Scleroderma
- Hepatic Steatosis
Serling and Abramson Can Help
If you or a loved one meets all of the above requirements to file a claim due to exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation. As the August 2024 statute of limitations quickly approaches, you must act right away. Call our office today or fill out a free case evaluation to get started.
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