Terms of Use | Thankfully, men who developed prostate cancer or another health condition may be eligible to file Camp Lejeune claims for financial compensation. Still, we may witness more and more cases in the near future, as roughly one million people lived at Camp Lejeune during that time. Under the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp LeJeune Families Act of 2012, there are 15 conditions eligible for healthcare benefits and eight presumptive disease conditions. What Types of Cancer Did Exposure at Camp Lejeune Cause? Filing a Camp Lejeune Water Claim only takes 5 minutes. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) amends its adjudication regulations regarding presumptive service connection, adding certain diseases associated with contaminants present in the base water supply at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune (Camp Lejeune), North Carolina, from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987. In 1982, the Marine Corps discovered that drinking water provided by two water treatment plants on . Veterans who served at the camp between 1953 and 1987 may be eligible for VA disability compensation based on . Copyright The ACSalso predicts that34,500 men will die from prostate cancer this year alone. The findings of the ATSDR studies are promising. Yes. For the purpose of this article, were focusing a majority of our discussion on findings from the Mortality Study of Marine and Naval Personnel. Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer among men, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Referrals | If you are a veteran who has a diagnosis of prostate cancer and spent time at this military base, do not hesitate to contact our attorneys, as you might be eligible to file a claim and recover financial compensation. Active duty, reserve, and National Guard members who served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New Other types of cancer linked to Camp Lejeune water include: Adult leukemia Bladder cancer Breast cancer Kidney cancer Liver cancer Lung cancer Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma In response to this ruling, the agency received 53 comments. The legal process is simple and fast, taking place over the phone. This act was passed by the Biden Administration with the purpose of granting protections and benefits to people who were victims of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The researchers found prostate cancer risk to be significantly high among men older than 25 at substantial benzene exposure levels. Your Camp Lejeune lawyer can help you gather evidence needed to support your case (such as military records and medical documents) and file your prostate cancer claim within set deadlines. While this process may seem complicated, were here to help you navigate every step. It was also part of Camp Lejeune, which recently became the center of a major water contamination scandal. They are: Even more than thirty-five years after the wells were closed at Camp Lejeune, new information and new diagnoses are coming to light. A Camp Lejeune lawyer is a personal injury lawyer who specializes in these types of cases. Source: Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. Contact us for a free consultation. This should only be necessary once for each IP address you access the site from. The military relied on the facility to clean uniforms, but the waste disposal processes performed there were not up to standards. At the same time, researchers also evaluated the causes of death for 154,969 on-base residents who served at Camp Pendleton during that same time period. Ambient exposures to selected volatile organic compounds and the risk of prostate cancer in Montreal. Retrieved from: https://journals.lww.com/environepidem/Fulltext/2022/12000/Ambient_exposures_to_selected_volatile_organic.3.aspx. This is the structure that tells your cells what to do. Theyll do everything in their power to get compensation for you after a prostate cancer diagnosis. Rather, its believed to have occurred in various locations around the base, including leaks in underground storage tanks, as well as improperly managed waste disposal sites. No Camp Lejeune prostate cancer claims have been settled yet. What Chemicals Were in Camp Lejeune Water? Working for Camp Lejeune Victims Since 2009. February 27, 2023 VA Disability Benefits for Camp Lejeune Veterans: Presumptive Service Connection. In oneof those studies, researchers reportedthat in 13 cases of exposed workers, the Standard Infection Ratio (SIR) was 1.38 persons. First, they can file claims through the VA if theyre a U.S. veteran or a family member. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2021 Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. Your doctor may recommend monitoring the condition via routine blood tests, rectal exams, and tissue biopsies. Still, there are early findings that help explain the connection between water contamination and certain diseases, including prostate cancer. Over time, you may experience the following health issues if it spreads and advances: Its important to visit your physician at the first onset of any of these symptoms. Science and at least 120 men who once lived on Camp Lejeune and now have breast cancer back him up. Breast cancer. Terms of Use | In accordance with the 2012 Camp Lejeune health care law, VA provides cost-free health care for certain conditions to Veterans who served at least 30 days of active duty at Camp Lejeune from August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. With the passage of the PACT Act in 2022, veterans and family members are now eligible to recover damages by joining a Camp Lejeune water class action lawsuit. The ATSDR mortality study into the health effect of contaminated drinking waters at Lejeune looked at death records of almost 200,000 former employees, Marine personnel, and others who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune in the time period of contamination. Like TCE, theEPA has set an MCL for PCE at five ppb. As many as 1 million people who lived and worked in Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987, including families of military and civilian staff, may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water. Steve and the entire staff were friendly and professional. Background: There is evidence that exposure to contaminated water while serving at Camp Lejeune is associated with the development of genitourinary cancers including kidney and bladder; however, there is a lack of literature regarding prostate cancer (PC). Prostate cancer is the most common malignant disease among veterans, with 12,000 new cases occurring annually. Referrals | According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the, Camp Lejeune service-connected conditions, Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes, Additionally, the chemicals were not just causing cancer. Lets review these in greater detail. However, this isnt the only cause of the condition. A study from the medical journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine examined the association between exposure to benzene and prostate cancer. October 10, 2022. During the time period, there were eight water treatment plants in operation on the base. The fifteen covered medical conditions are: Breast cancer. This is another type of widely used industrial solvent, used mostly indry cleaning, textile processing, and metal cleaningprocesses. What Chemicals in the Camp Lejeune Drinking Water are Linked to Prostate Cancer? If you want to request a wider IP range, first request access for your current IP, and then use the "Site Feedback" button found in the lower left-hand side to make the request. One of the cohorts included civilian employees who worked for at least one year at an Air Force base in Utah from 1952 to 1956. Leukemia from Camp Lejeune Water Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood cells and starts in the bone marrow, where the blood in your body is produced. However, this most recent research will help explain to which degreethe Camp Lejeune water contamination increased the risk of specific types of cancers. Men exposed to this drinking water could go on to develop prostate cancer. To conduct the study, they analyzed findings from four different cohort groups. How do I obtain compensation and VA benefits if I have a disease? Edwardsville Daycare Injury & Abuse Cases, You were previously (or are currently) a U.S. military service member who used standard issue 3M Combat Arms earplugs; and, Metastasizing (spreading) of cancer to other parts of the body, Urinary Incontinence, the loss of bladder control, Miscarriage, infertility and birth defects. Lets start with a quick overview of what the Camp Lejeune water contamination issue entails. Military members, family members and civilian workers exposed to these dangerous chemicals have been diagnosed with often fatal medical conditions including several types of cancer and other diseases. The Veterans and Relatives Act provides benefits to veterans and family members serving at Camp Lejeune during active service for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. Though the VA does not currently recognize this condition as qualifyingfor disability benefits, new legislation could affect that decision. There might be a significant association between exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune and prostate cancer in veterans. On January 13, 2017, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) released its final rule onpresumptive service connections associated with the Camp Lejeune water contamination. Compared to the Camp Pendleton control group, the ATSDR discovered that the Camp Lejeune group had higher mortality rates for the following causes of death: The higher rates of kidney, prostate, and rectum cancers, as well as leukemias and Parkinsons disease, were mainly concentrated among Camp Lejeune civilian workers. As mentioned, one of the studies conducted by the ATSDR is theMortality Study of Marine and Naval Personnel. From 2011 to 2022, the VA has granted 18,910 Camp Lejeune water contamination claims and denied 90,427 others for an overall approval rate of 17%. If you are a veteran who spent time at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, you might be entitled to financial compensation. In addition, they also investigated civilian employees who worked on base at any time between October 1972 and December 1985. We will only need your military records, which you must retrieve, and your medical records. Other times, the cancer ismore aggressivein nature and can quickly spread to other parts of your body. Centrally located in Columbia, South Carolina, the attorneys at the Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. these reasons, the VA examiner found that it was less likely than not that his exposure to water contaminants at Camp Lejeune caused his prostate cancer. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Our law firm is dedicated to keeping you up to date on the latest Camp Lejeune water contamination news, and well help you fight for your rights. The testing revealed that the Camp Lejeune water was heavily contaminated with several toxic chemicals that are known to cause cancer. In all, the ATSDRfound 10 casesof prostate cancer among the Camp Lejeune cohorts during this timeframe. U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune is an east coast military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. In February 1985, the levels of PCE at the Tarawa Terrace plant reached 215 ppb. This law allows for veterans exposed to contaminated water at the North Carolina base, Camp Lejeune, to sue the government and recover damages from their resulting adverse health effects. People can file Camp Lejeune prostate cancer lawsuits either on behalf of themselves or deceased loved ones who passed away from it. Between 1953 and 1987, toxic chemicals were dumped at Camp Lejeune; these chemicals seeped into the . Thank you TorHoerman Law! The cause of death data spanned from1979 to 2008 and was obtained from theNational Center for Health Statistics National Death Index (NDI). Some of the known risk factors for prostate cancer include: This type of cancer is most common in men over the age of 50. Camp Lejeune prostate cancer claims must prove that you or your family member developed prostate cancer from the water at Camp Lejeune. Accessed on January 7, 2023. You can read thedetails of each study on the ATSDRsFAQ page. More information is available at http://www.publichealth.va.gov/exposures/camp-lejeune and by calling (877) 222-VETS (8387). Other contaminants found in the water included: Manufacturers use vinyl chloride to produce another substance, calledpolyvinyl chloride (PVC). More specifically, exposure to the chemical PFOA was found to contribute to the development and progression of prostate cancer. Mercury Poisoning. From 1953 to 1987, water sources at the base were contaminated with industrial solvents that are . The mortality rate of 154,932 Marines at Camp Lejeune was compared to mortality rates of 154,969 Marines at Camp Pendleton. The ATSDR is obtaining information on the number of military personnel affected by these conditions through federal and state cancer registries. Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 Veterans' health care. R. at 8. Compared to short-term residents and personnel, these individuals were exposed to highercumulative amounts of the contaminants over time. It has metastasized into his abdomen, throat, and the bone near the sternum. More specifically, exposure to the chemical PFOA was found to contribute to the development and progression of prostate cancer. In addition,prostate cancer also accounted for the following number of cases in the other cohorts: Its important to note that these findingsarent necessarily linked to the research that the ATSDR is performing on Camp Lejeune. Goldberg, M., Zapata-Marin, S., Labrche, F., Ho, V., Lavigne, E., Valois, M., & Parent, M. (n.d.). In this post, were specifically looking at the link between the water contamination at Camp Lejeune and the onset of prostate cancer. We will only need your military records, which you must retrieve, and your medical records as a starting point in assessing your case. Soldiers who were once healthy and working at the base have now grown older and suffer from a series of health conditions. This legislation aimed to give VA medical benefits to those who were at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from August 1957 to December 1987 and had a medical diagnosis of a qualifying condition. Camp Lejeune veterans and their families were exposed to a wide array of toxic substances in the contaminated drinking water. File your claim now. VA grants presumptive service connection to veterans who served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 cumulative days from August 1, 1953 through December 31, 1987 and developed one of the following conditions: Adult leukemia Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes Bladder cancer Kidney cancer Liver cancer Multiple myeloma Physicians know that this type of cancer begins when the cells in your prostate gland began to change. 2160 Highland Ave, By submitting, you agree to ourprivacy policy,terms of useand to be contacted by a trusted law firmto evaluate your claim. For many military members and their families stationed at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987, exposure to chemicals at the base has led to a series of debilitating diseases and conditions. TorHoerman Law was responsible for handling a medical case for our family. Veterans, families, and civilians alike may have developed numerous medical conditions because of their exposure to Camp Lejeune's water contamination. However, when someone is exposed to dangerous chemicals, they rarely feel the effects immediatelythis is especially true when one is exposed to small amounts over a long period. This involves proving that you have prostate cancer and that you were at Camp Lejeune during the contamination period. The Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Lawsuit can apply to you, a family member, or a loved one who lived at Camp Lejeune (North Carolina) and suffered health effects from the decades of water contamination that occurred. American Cancer Society. This plant began operation in June 1972, and provided water to the following family housing locations: From 1972 to 1985, the Holcomb Boulevard plant would supplement its own water supply with water from the Hadnot Point plant. When the water at Camp Lejeune was tested in the 1980s, it was found to contain benzene, PCE (perchloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene), TCE (trichloroethylene), and vinyl chloride. Dont miss out: File a Camp Lejeune prostate cancer claim right now. Close to a million people were exposed to hazardous substances in their drinking water. There are multiple types of evidence that can be useful when it comes to proving a Camp Lejeune prostate cancer case. Its speculated that the high number of prostate cancer cases result from exposure to Tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC) and Trichloroethylene (TCE). In addition to other conditions and types of cancers, researchers are looking into the prevalence of prostate cancer in Marines/Navy personnel, as well as civilian employees. Contact us or use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for legal action instantly. The information presented at this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship. As one Veteran with pancreatic and prostate cancer told CBS News, the VAs approach to Camp Lejeune water contamination claims was: Deny, deny, deny until they die. The window to file began in August 2022 with the passing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. A wonderful and professional legal team. Liver cancer. The Complete History of Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water, Camp Lejeune Water Contamination: Everything You Should Know, Perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene (PCE), Aplastic anemia (and other myelodysplastic syndromes), Mortality Study of Marine and Naval Personnel, Birth Defects and Childhood Cancers Study, The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Hematopoietic cancers (e.g. This can help your doctor develop a diagnosis that describes the extent, or stage, of your condition. Unlike those at Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace, the wells at Holcomb Boulevard were not generally contaminated by VOCs. The, contamination at Camp Lejeune caused other health issues, Anyone who was at the base from 1953 to 1987 for thirty days or more should immediately consult with a. to see if they or their family members who also resided at the base may be eligible for compensation. Of those, eight were above the median cumulative exposure for the following VOCs: In addition, seven out of the 10 cases were above the median cumulative exposure forvinyl chloride andTotal Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOC). In time, those adverse cells will begin to group together, forming a tumor. Contact your local VSO or Call 1-866-372-1144 for . With the exception of skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in American men. You may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune prostate cancer lawsuit if you were diagnosed with the disease after being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987. Mortality rates were also compared to the general US population. This includes both Marines/Navy personnel as well as civilian employees. Family members of Veterans who also resided at Camp Lejeune during the qualifying period are eligible for reimbursement of out-of-pocket medical expenses related to the 15 covered health conditions. Prostate cancer is not listed as a presumptive medical condition for Camp Lejeune cases according to the VA. Ultimately, the VA ruled against expanding its list beyond the initially-stated eight conditions. How much does it cost to hire a Camp Lejeune toxic water contamination lawyer. Copyright If you are a veteran who spent time at Camp Lejeune and suspect you have prostate cancer, it is essential to be aware of the early signs, as when the disease is diagnosed in advanced stages, the survival rate drops to 28%.

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