Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Linked to Liver Cancer

Liver Cancer is one of the most potent Camp Lejeune conditions because liver cancer is caused by PCE, TCE as well as Benzene. These volatile organic compounds were prevalent in the Camp Lejeune drinking water supply. Our attorneys believe that the Navy Jag and Justice Department will offer lucrative settlements for Camp Lejeune liver cancer lawsuits as a result of the clear link to the toxic water at the marine base.

Liver cancer and Camp Lejeune — Camp Lejeune liver cancer lawsuit

This post was updated by a lawyer on January 17th, 2024 to give readers the most up to date information about camp Lejeune Liver cancer lawsuits.

For more than 30 years, the water supply at Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corps base in North Carolina, was contaminated with toxic chemicals, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carcinogens like benzene and trichloroethylene (TCE). This contamination affected not only the military personnel and their families who lived on the base but also the surrounding community. Studies have linked the Camp Lejeune water contamination to a range of health problems, including liver cancer, a presumptive condition for veterans who served at the base between 1953 and 1987.

Our lawyers represent Camp Lejeune liver cancer victims across the United States. We also advocate for our clients who have suffered:

liver damage such as hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease)
liver cancer,
liver failure.

What is hepatic steatosis?

“Nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease in the developed world. It is a spectrum of disease, ranging from hepatic fat accumulation without inflammation to steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and end-stage liver disease. NAFLD is considered the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome and is associated with obesity, dyslipidemia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.” best practice

Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is often described by medical personnel as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It constitutes a form of cancer that commences in liver cells. The liver constitutes the biggest organ. Liver cancer can happen when liver cells commence growing out of control and as a result tumors form. The liver organ performs crucial functions like:

acting as a filter for toxins,
storage of essential nutrients,
aiding digestion through the production of bile.

What are liver cancer risk factors?

There are numerous risk factors linked to cancer of the liver. These risk factors specifically include:

Obesity
Overuse of alcohol
hepatitis B (chronic)
hepatitis C,
liver scarring (cirrhosis)
toxic exposure to particular chemicals and toxins

Toxic exposure to chemicals & toxins (volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Toxic exposure to volatile organic compounds causes liver cancer. These VOC’s include:

trichloroethylene (TCE)
perchloroethylene (PCE)
benzene

TCE and PCE are infamously carcinogenic toxins that are fairly definitively linked to contaminated water in general and specifically to the Camp Lejeune water. Thousand of Naval personnel and others who lived, worked or were stationed at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina have developed liver cancer and other illnesses due to exposure to these contaminants. Scientific and medical literature has determined that exposure to VOLATILE organ compounds causes liver cancer.

The problem with Benzene

Benzene is a menace as well. Studies have determined that industrial employees in certain industries that utilize benzene, have a greater chance of a liver cancer diagnosis. Residing in close proximity to a hazardous waste site or exposure to toxic / polluted water containing benzene puts victims at a greater risk of a liver cancer diagnosis.

Vinyl Chloride is linked to Liver Cancer

Vinyl Chloride is another menacing chemical utilized in the making of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This substance is part of certain plastic materials. Vinyl Chloride is a very carcinogenic chemical. Long duration exposure to vinyl chloride causes a greater chance of liver cancer.

Very few lawyers understand that fatty liver disease is a health condition definitively caused by Camp Lejeune water contamination. Significantly, extremely elevated amounts of vinyl chloride were discovered at the Camp Lejeune Marine base in NC. Medical literature linked Liver cancer and Fatty Liver disease to Volatile Organic compounds well before the toxicity of the marine base water was revealed to the public.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) determined that vinyl chloride is a human carcinogen causing liver cancer premised on extensive research and evidence. The National Toxicology Program (NTP) has determined that vinyl chloride is a human carcinogen substance.

Literature has disclosed that employees in the PVC production business who came in contact with Vinyl chloride are at greater chance of a liver cancer diagnosis. Vinyl chloride can absorb into the skin, lungs as well as the digestive system. Vinyl Chloride, when it enters the human body, can lead to damage in DNA cells and lead to disruption of the usual liver functioning.

Liver Cancer and TCE

Trichloroethylene is an industrial chemical solvent utilized for industrial purposes. TCE exposure caueses medical problems which includes liver cancer. Medical literature proves that TCE exposure causes liver damage such as:

cirrhosis,
fibrosis,
steatosis.

These abovementioned medical problems lead to a greater chance of a liver cancer diagnosis. Scientist have been unable to determine how TCE leads to liver cancer.

PCE causes Liver Cancer

Perchloroethylene is an industrial solvent utilized in the dry cleaning business. Arguably, the highest source of water contamination at the infamous Naval Base was generated by ABC Dry Cleaner. PCE seeped into the water at Camp Lejeune at extremely high levels.

What is a Presumptive Condition?

A presumptive condition is a medical condition that is assumed to be caused by exposure to a specific agent, such as a toxic chemical, radiation, or a disease. For veterans, presumptive conditions are conditions that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) presumes were caused by their military service, even if there is no direct evidence linking the condition to their service. Veterans who have a presumptive condition are eligible for disability compensation and other VA benefits.

Liver Cancer as a Presumptive Condition

In 2017, the VA added liver cancer to its list of presumptive conditions for veterans who served at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. This means that veterans who have liver cancer and who served at Camp Lejeune during this time period are presumed to have developed the cancer as a result of their exposure to the contaminated water supply. They do not need to prove a direct connection between their cancer and their military service.

This is a significant development for veterans who have been affected by the Camp Lejeune water contamination. Liver cancer is a serious condition that can be difficult to treat, and it is often fatal. By recognizing liver cancer as a presumptive condition, the VA is acknowledging that the contamination at Camp Lejeune was a significant health hazard that put the lives of military personnel and their families at risk.

How Was the Water Contaminated?

The contamination at Camp Lejeune was the result of a variety of factors, including leaks, spills, and improper waste disposal practices. For years, toxic chemicals were dumped into unlined landfills on the base, where they leached into the groundwater. The contamination was not limited to the base itself but also affected nearby residential communities.

In the 1980s, the Marine Corps began testing the water supply at Camp Lejeune and discovered high levels of VOCs and other toxic chemicals. However, it wasn’t until 1997 that the Marine Corps publicly acknowledged the contamination and began notifying former residents of the potential health risks. Even then, the full extent of the contamination was not widely known.

The Effects of Exposure to Contaminated Water

Exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has been linked to a range of health problems, including liver cancer, kidney cancer, bladder cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, and other illnesses. The VOCs and other chemicals in the water are known carcinogens, and even low levels of exposure can increase the risk of developing cancer and other diseases.

The health effects of exposure to contaminated water can take years or even decades to appear. This is why it has taken so long for the full extent of the health risks associated with the Camp Lejeune water contamination to be recognized. Many veterans who served at Camp Lejeune and their family members have developed serious health problems as a result of their exposure to the contaminated water.

The VA’s Response to the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

The VA has been slow to respond to the health problems associated with the Camp Lejeune water contamination. It was not until 2012 that the VA established the Camp Lejeune Family Member Program, which provides health care to family members of veterans who were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. However, it wasn’t until 2017 that the VA recognized liver cancer as a presumptive condition for veterans who served at Camp Lejeune.

The VA has also faced criticism for the way it has handled disability claims related to the Camp Lejeune water contamination. Many veterans have had their claims denied or delayed, and some have had to fight for years to receive the benefits they are entitled to. This has added to the frustration and stress of veterans and their families who have already been dealing with serious health problems.

The VA has made some improvements in recent years, including streamlining the claims process for Camp Lejeune veterans and their family members. However, there is still work to be done to ensure that all veterans who were affected by the water contamination receive the benefits and care they deserve.

What Can You Do if You Were Exposed to the Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?

If you are a veteran who served at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, or a family member of a veteran who was stationed at the base during that time, and you have been diagnosed with liver cancer or another health problem that may be linked to the water contamination, you may be eligible for disability compensation and other VA benefits.

The first step is to file a claim with the VA. You can do this online or by visiting your local VA office. The VA will review your claim and determine whether you are eligible for benefits. If your claim is denied, you have the right to appeal the decision.

You may also want to consider contacting a veterans’ advocacy group for assistance. These organizations can help you navigate the VA claims process and provide information on the latest developments related to the Camp Lejeune water contamination.

Conclusion

The Camp Lejeune water contamination is a tragic example of how toxic chemicals can have devastating health effects on military personnel and their families. The recognition of liver cancer as a presumptive condition for veterans who served at Camp Lejeune is an important step forward in providing support and care to those who have been affected by the contamination.

However, there is still work to be done to ensure that all veterans and their family members who were exposed to the contaminated water receive the benefits and care they deserve as a result of their liver cancer caused by the Camp Lejeune water. By raising awareness of the Camp Lejeune water contamination and advocating for the rights of affected veterans, we can help ensure that they receive the recognition and support they deserve for their sacrifices and service to our country. A Camp Lejeune water contamination liver cancer lawsuit is a serious matter requiring the attention of a top attorney.