Health Conditions and Cancers Linked to Exposure to the Toxic Water Supply at Camp Lejeune

There is an ever-growing body of evidence indicating that the water supply at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune became contaminated with a litany of dangerous, toxic organic compounds that are categorized as carcinogens (i.e., cancer-causing substances). Researchers believe the water supply at Camp Lejeune became contaminated in or around 1953 and remained contaminated for over three decades. This means potentially thousands of military service members, family members, and civilian employees who were at Camp Lejeune during this period were exposed to horrific, toxic substances through the water supply. The toxic water supply at Camp Lejeune has been linked to an array of diseases and illnesses. The information below details which health conditions and cancers have been affiliated with exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

Cancers and Health Conditions Associated with Exposure to Toxic Water Supply at Camp Lejeune 

Please note that the list below is not exhaustive. It is merely an overview of the known cancers and diseases that may develop due to exposure to the toxic water supply at Camp Lejeune. There may in fact be a number of other health ailments and conditions that develop due to exposure to the dangerous compounds within the Camp Lejeune water supply.

• Adult leukemia, which can cause fever, exhaustion or tiredness, and easy bruising or bleeding. 
• Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes occur because the bone marrow cannot produce new cells fast enough to maintain normal body functions. Aplastic anemia may cause fatigue and difficulty fighting off infection in many patients.
• Bladder cancer, which may cause frequent or painful urination or back pain. 
• Breast cancer, which can develop in both male and female patients.
• Esophageal cancer, which may cause pain or difficulty swallowing.
• Fertility issues, which can develop in both men and women.
• Kidney cancer can cause pain, fever, tiredness, and unexplained weight loss.
• Lung cancer starts in the lungs and may result in difficulty breathing.
• Liver cancer can take several forms but may lead to abdominal pain and weakness, swelling, and many other devastating symptoms.
• Multiple myeloma, which can cause mental fogginess and confusion, weakness or numbness in the limbs, nausea, or fatigue.
• Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma causes the abnormal growth of white blood cells and may lead to tumors throughout the body.
• Parkinson's disease can cause shakiness, stiffness, and uncontrolled weakness or movements in the body. Parkinson's disease can also interfere with balance and coordination.
• Serious neurological impairments, including difficulty concentrating and behavioral changes.

The development of a chronic disease or cancer listed above may occur over the course of weeks or months after exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. In fact, many Camp Lejeune veterans do not actually develop symptoms until years, or even decades, after residing at Camp Lejeune. This is why service members who may have been at Camp Lejeune for even a brief period back in the 1960s or 1970s may still be eligible to take legal action. 

New Federal Law Allows You to File a Legal Claim for Financial Restitution for Harms and Losses Caused by Exposure to the Contaminated Water Supply at Camp Lejeune

In 2022, the President of the United States officially signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act into law. As a result, military veterans and family members, along with civil workers, who were at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 for at least 30 days are eligible to file a lawsuit seeking financial restitution for the harms and losses endured from being exposed to the toxic water supply at Camp Lejeune. 

The forms of financial restitution that may be pursued include: 

• Medical expenses
• Lost income 
• Lost earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium

To get a better sense of your legal options and whether you can proceed with filing a claim for financial restitution, it is recommended you speak with an experienced Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer. Most attorneys handling these claims offer free, confidential case evaluations and will advise you of whether you have the grounds to move forward with filing a claim.

How to Select a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Lawyer

When deciding on a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer, one thing to look for is the amount of experience they have practicing law and, specifically, their experience litigating cases. Why? Because an attorney with actual litigation experience will have greater familiarity with the governing Rules of Civil Procedure, court deadlines, and so forth. They may also possess a greater understanding of what to do during pre-trial discovery and may be a better negotiator in terms of reaching an amicable settlement. 

Your Camp Lejeune water contamination attorney should also possess sufficient knowledge about the governing laws concerning water contamination, particularly the recently-enacted CLJA (since it directly impacts the ability of veterans, their family members, and civilian workers to file a legal claim for compensatory damages). 

Take Action Today

If you or a loved one was at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and believe that you suffered an adverse health condition, such as cancer, due to exposure to the contaminated water supply at the military base, now is the time to take action. There are experienced lawyers ready to help advocate for your rights and who can assist you in pursuing financial restitution for your harms and losses. Do not wait any longer. Now is the time to figure out whether you qualify for financial restitution. You can begin by researching to determine the best lawyers and law firms specializing in Camp Lejeune lawsuits and contact them right away. In most instances, lawyers handling these types of cases offer free, confidential case evaluations to prospective clients.