More than 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer yearly in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, other than skin cancer.
- Camp Lejeune Breast Cancer Statistics
- Other Illnesses From Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water
- The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022
- Filing Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Breast Cancer Claims
- Expected Benefits From the Department of Veterans Affairs
- Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
- Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer to Resolve a Camp Lejeune Breast Cancer Lawsuit
- Resources:
In many cases, early diagnosis and treatment lead to a successful outcome. However, for some individuals exposed to toxic chemicals at the Marine Base in North Carolina, that may not be the case. A recent study has linked exposure to these chemicals with increased breast cancer rates.
If you or someone you know has been affected by this tragedy, help is available. The personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC, are legal advocates for Camp Lejeune victims seeking compensation from the federal government for various illnesses including Camp Lejeune water contamination breast cancer claims.
Contact our product liability lawyers today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today for immediate legal advice and schedule a free consultation related to a Camp Lejuene lawsuit.
All confidential or sensitive information you share with our legal team remains private through an attorney-client relationship.
Camp Lejeune Breast Cancer Statistics
Camp Lejeune is a military installation in Jacksonville, North Carolina. For years, it was home to a toxic water supply that caused severe health problems for those stationed there – including cancer. In 2012, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) finally began compensating victims of unsafe water. However, many still don’t know about their elevated risk while living or serving at Camp Lejeune.
For decades, the federal government knew about the toxic water containing trichloroethylene (TCE), benzene, vinyl chloride, and other chemicals.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, as of September 30, 2014, 1,564 Camp Lejeune-related breast cancer cases (1,063 women and 501 men) were diagnosed since October 1, 1982. This statistic represents a rate of 2.5 cases per 10,000 people.
The data shows that the number of diagnosed breast-cancer cases has increased over time. In 2012, there were 103 new cases diagnosed (75 women and 28 men). The following year, 2013, 120 new breast cancer cases were diagnosed (85 women and 35 men).
Several possible explanations exist for the increase in breast cancer diagnoses among Camp Lejeune veterans.
One possibility is that the earlier cohort of veterans (those who served in the 1950s and 1960s) are now reaching an age where they are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer or other cancers. Another possibility is that the increase is due to improved awareness and screening measures.
Male Breast Cancer and Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Although breast cancer is more common in women, men can also be diagnosed with the disease. The rate of male breast cancer at Camp Lejeune is higher than the national average, possibly due to exposure to toxic water at the base.
In a study of male Camp Lejeune veterans, researchers found that those exposed to contaminated water were more than twice as likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer as those who had not been exposed. The comprehensive study also found that the longer a man was exposed to the harmful water, the greater his elevated risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer.
These findings suggest that exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may be a risk factor for developing breast cancer. However, more research is needed to confirm these findings.
If you are a male Camp Lejeune veteran diagnosed with breast cancer, you may be eligible for benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more about these benefits, please visit the VA’s website or call 1-800-827-1000.
Other Illnesses From Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water
Federal agencies have revealed that Camp Lejeune, a military base in North Carolina, had been contaminated with toxins for decades. Scientists now know that these toxins caused severe illnesses in many soldiers and their families who lived or worked at the base.
The base was home to many service members and their families during the Vietnam War. Estimates show that as many as 900,000 people may have been exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
Comment illnesses, diseases, and cancers caused by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune include:
- Adult leukemia
- Adverse birth outcomes, including birth defects
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bile duct (gallbladder) cancer
- Bone Cancer
- Breast cancer
- Brain cancer
- Bladder cancer
- Cardiac defect
- Cervical cancer
- Endocrine cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility
- Heart defect
- Hepatic steatosis
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancers
- Liver diseases
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)
- Nephrotoxicity (kidney damage)
- Neurobehavioral disorders
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL)
- Ovarian cancer
- Parkinson’s
- Plasma cell myeloma
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal, colorectal/colon cancers
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
- Other diseases and cancers
So far, thousands who lived or worked at the base have filed claims for compensation from the VA. And many more men and women who developed breast cancer or other condition are expected to do so in the coming months and years.
Presumptive Conditions
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has developed a list of presumptive conditions associated with contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
A presumptive condition regulation sidesteps proving you developed cancer or other deadly medical condition due to your exposure to contaminated drinking water while at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between the designated time.
The diseases, conditions, and cancers on the presumptive conditions list include:
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Breast cancer
If you have one of the eight conditions on the presumptive list, including breast cancer, and served at Camp Lejeune for 30 days (consecutive or nonconsecutive) between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, you will be presumed to have developed the condition as a result of your exposure.
Do you think you may have been exposed to contaminated drinking water while at Camp Lejeune and have developed breast cancer or one of the other listed conditions? Contact your local VA Environmental Health Coordinator to discuss your possible eligibility for health care benefits.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 is part of the PACT (Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics) Act recently passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 allows victims of water contamination at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base to file a claim with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for medical care and disability benefits.
This act is important because it provides much-needed assistance to victims of Toxic water at Camp Lejeune. The contaminated water at Camp Lejeune caused severe health problems for many service members and their families, and this Act will help them get the care and benefits they need.
Filing Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Breast Cancer Claims
It’s been more than six years since the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) acknowledged that servicemen and women who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, may have been exposed to toxic water contamination that caused severe health problems, including cancer.
Now, some veterans are taking their fight for justice to the courtroom. Veterans In their family members, civil employees, and others who have lived or worked at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, may be able to file a lawsuit if they have been diagnosed with cancer.
How to File a Camp Lejeune Breast Cancer Lawsuit
Filing a lawsuit without legal representation can be daunting, especially if you are going up against a large corporation or the federal government.
You’ll need to research many federal and state laws that apply to your case and properly fill out the complaint and other legal documents required by the court. The paperwork and applications must be properly formatted and contain all the necessary information for claim submission.
Many people hire a personal injury attorney to handle their breast cancer compensation case filed against Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune.
A Camp Lejeune breast cancer attorney working on your behalf can handle every aspect of the submitted application after:
- Reviewing your medical records that identify an accurate diagnosis for breast cancer or other medical condition
- Examining military records indicating that you spent at least 30 non-consecutive days at the Marine base between 1953 and 1987 and had access to the harmful water at Camp Lejeune
- Gathering expert testimony from medical professionals who can accurately calculate the case’s value
Expected Benefits From the Department of Veterans Affairs
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides several retirement benefits to veterans who have served our country. Some of these benefits include disability compensation, pension, and healthcare.
Disability Compensation
If you are disabled due to your military service, the VA may provide disability compensation. This benefit is paid monthly and is tax-free. The payment you receive depends on your level of disability but can be up to $3,949 or more per month. This amount has risen every year based on the rate of inflation.
Pension
Veterans who cannot work due to disability may be eligible for pension benefits. To be eligible, you must have served at least 90 days of active duty and at least one day during wartime. The pension amount depends on your income, marital status, and the number of dependents.
Healthcare
All veterans are eligible for free healthcare through the VA, including hospital stays, mental health services, and prescriptions. You may also qualify for care from civilian providers if the VA cannot provide the necessary care.
Mental Healthcare
Having immediate access to mental health care professionals is particularly important for veterans, as many have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) conditions. If you are a veteran struggling with mental health issues, the VA can provide you with the care and support you need.
Filing a Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Many people exposed to the harmful water at Camp Lejeune have already died from their injuries. Our attorneys understand how important it is for surviving plaintiffs to take action on their behalf and file a claim for the losses suffered.
We also represent surviving spouses, children, and other family members impacted by the wrongful death of a loved one whose breast cancer death resulted from the Marine base’s toxic water.
The decedent’s family members can file a personal injury claim citing a wrongful death to recover compensation for damages that could include:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Lost wages or benefits
- Hospital bills and medical expenses before the loved one died
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages in some cases
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer to Resolve a Camp Lejeune Breast Cancer Lawsuit
Do you suspect that you are a victim of Camp Lejeune water contamination and developed deadly breast cancer due to your exposure to toxins? Our personal injury attorneys have represented many victims filing Camp Lejeune breast cancer cases.
We represent injured victims harmed through the negligence of others. We understand that the federal government and Marines knew of the Camp Lejeune water contamination for decades and failed to protect service members, veterans, families, and civil employees using the toxic water for bathing, swimming, and laundering clothes.
Contact our law office today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone number) or use the contact form today to schedule a free consultation.
We accept every Camp Lejeune water contamination case on a contingency fee arrangement. This agreement ensures you pay nothing for legal fees until we resolve your case through a negotiated settlement or jury award.
