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Between August 1953 and December 1987, Marines, civilian workers and their families were potentially exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. Many have developed severe health conditions, including liver cancer. These health issues have been linked to the chemicals that polluted the drinking water used on the base.
Recent legislation created a brief window of time for many people who developed serious health problems after their time at Camp Lejeune to file claims against the U.S. government. If those claims aren’t processed in six months or are denied, a Camp Lejeune liver cancer lawsuit can be filed to seek financial compensation.
Why are people filing Camp Lejeune liver cancer lawsuits?
In 1982, several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were discovered in two water treatment facilities at Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune. These VOCs include:
- Benzene
- Tetrachloroethylene/perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Vinyl chloride
Studies link exposure to trichloroethylene to an increased risk of a liver cancer diagnosis. According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune could be tied to a higher rate of death from liver cancer.
While the alleged toxic exposure happened more than 30 years ago, for a brief period of time, service members and their loved ones can file for damages.
To help veterans and their families seek justice for the consequences of toxic drinking water at Camp Lejeune, the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022 included the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. This allows certain people who spent time at Camp Lejeune to file a claim to seek compensation for liver cancer or other serious health conditions that can be linked to toxic chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s water supply.
How to file a Camp Lejeune liver cancer claim
To seek compensation from the U.S. government for a Camp Lejeune liver cancer claim, a person or an authorized agent must file an administrative claim with the Department of the Navy (DON). This claim must show that:
- They were stationed or otherwise lived or worked on-site at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, for no fewer than 30 days
- They suffered a serious health problem that can be linked to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune
If the claim is denied or not processed within 6 months, a lawsuit shall be filed in the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
If you need help filing your Camp Lejeune liver cancer lawsuit, consider reaching out to a Camp Lejeune lawyer.
Deadlines for filing Camp Lejeune liver cancer compensation claims
There are two deadlines under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 for people interested in filing a Camp Lejeune liver cancer claim.
The first deadline is August 9, 2024. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act authorizes people to file administrative claims against the federal government for up to two years from the date the law was enacted. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden on August 10, 2022. People have until August 9, 2024 to file their DON claim. If you do not file your administrative claims by this date, they will be forever barred and you will not be able to file an administrative claim for your injuries.
The second deadline is 180 days after an administrative claim has been denied by the Department of the Navy. At this point, veterans or their loved ones shall file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit in the U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Contact a Camp Lejeune water contamination attorney
If you or a loved one served, worked or lived at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, and developed severe health complications, a knowledgeable toxic exposure attorney can help you weigh your options for seeking compensation. We are available at any time by email, or you can call 866.855.9017 for more information.
Evidence linking Camp Lejeune toxic water to liver cancer
In May 1982, investigators discovered that the drinking water coming from Hadnot Point was contaminated with a number of volatile organic compounds. Hadnot Point is one of the eight water treatment facilities serving Camp Lejeune. The main compound contaminating the water was trichloroethylene (TCE).
Among other health concerns, TCE has been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer.
According to the ATSDR, 1,400 parts per billion (ppb) of TCE was found in the drinking water at Hadnot Point in May 1982. The current acceptable limit for TCE is 5 ppb.
Other conditions that have been linked to Camp Lejeune water contamination
A number of other severe health conditions, including several types of cancer, have been linked to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. These conditions include:
- Aplastic anemia
- Bladder cancer
- Cardiac birth defects
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Other kidney and end stage renal diseases
- Parkinson's disease
- Systemic scleroderma
- Systemic sclerosis
Anyone who has experienced any of these conditions may consider speaking with a Camp Lejeune attorney to discuss their legal options for compensation.
Liver cancer symptoms
Servicemembers, contractors or civilians who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987 may be at elevated risk for a number of conditions, including liver cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the following symptoms may be signs of liver cancer that could be linked to toxic exposure from the drinking water on the base.
Symptoms of liver cancer | |
|---|---|
Discomfort in the upper abdomen on the right side | Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) |
A swollen abdomen | Unusual tiredness |
A hard lump on the right side just below the rib cage | Nausea and vomiting |
Weight loss for no known reason | Loss of appetite |
Easy bruising or bleeding | Pain near the right shoulder blade or in the back |
People who have these symptoms and are diagnosed may be able to link this condition to toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune. Your doctor may be able to provide you with medical records that are necessary when looking to file a Camp Lejeune liver cancer claim.
If you need help navigating the claims process, contact a Camp Lejeune attorney at Motley Rice. With a free case evaluation, you can learn more about the claims process and what would be necessary if you choose to file a Camp Lejeune liver cancer lawsuit.
Our history of representing veterans
Motley Rice has a long history of helping veterans and their family members seek justice for preventable harms that have caused personal injuries and wrongful deaths.
We have represented claimants in litigation for:
- Exposure to asbestos and other toxic materials
- 3M earplugs and hearing loss
- EFP roadside bombs by terrorists
- Exposure to toxins released from burn pits at military facilities
Our law firm has the experience to help you with your claim, litigate your case and negotiate for a Camp Lejeune settlement.
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