Camp Lejeune Leukemia Lawsuit

Why are people filing Camp Lejeune leukemia lawsuits?

Some people who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, have been diagnosed with leukemia. They have filed claims and lawsuits to seek compensation from the government for their injuries. Other diseases associated with Camp Lejeune exposure include bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma or other kidney disease.

To file a Camp Lejeune leukemia lawsuit, people had to meet the following conditions: lived or worked on base for 30 days or more from August 1953 to December 1987 and able to provide proof of their leukemia diagnosis. 

People who met these criteria were able to file an administrative claim with the Department of the Navy (DON) under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. They were then eligible to file a lawsuit if the claim was rejected or not resolved within six months of filing. Suing may help veterans, their family members, or contractors receive the compensation they deserve for their injury.

The deadline to file a Camp Lejeune claim with the Department of Navy was August 10, 2024.

What is the Camp Lejeune lawsuit payout per person for leukemia?

The recovery for each person who files a claim or lawsuit will vary. People affected by the contaminated water should be wary of any promises of award amounts because no one can guarantee any payment or recovery. Camp Lejeune victims with leukemia may be able to receive compensation a few ways. The first is if the DON offers someone the opportunity to accept the elective option to settle their claim. The elective option is a settlement offer the DON may make to victims whose claims meet the DON’s requirements. It has limitations in its design and may result in a lower recovery than a successful claim or Camp Lejeune lawsuit could.

Evidence linking Camp Lejeune to leukemia

Leukemia is a blood cancer. There are several types and subtypes of the disease. Cases of leukemia have been reported by Camp Lejeune veterans and their families. 

The chemicals found in Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water are linked to various cancers, including leukemia. Below is a discussion of some chemicals found in Camp Lejeune water with a strong link to this cancer.

Benzene and leukemia 

Benzene is a natural, colorless, flammable liquid chemical with a sweet smell. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of the World Health Organization (WHO) considers benzene carcinogenic to humans. 

The IARC has studied the chemical’s connection to multiple types of leukemia and has found sufficient evidence that benzene causes acute myeloid leukemia. The IARC has also found links between benzene and acute lymphocytic leukemia and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) also analyzed risk for benzene and concluded that there is “sufficient evidence for causation for all types of leukemia.” 

Trichloroethylene (TCE) and leukemia

TCE is a man-made colorless liquid chemical. The ATSDR has concluded that there is “evidence for causation for TCE and all adult leukemias.” 

In October 2023, the EPA proposed a ban on TCE after it was linked to another set of cancer diagnoses besides those from Camp Lejeune.

Vinyl chloride and leukemia 

Vinyl chloride is a man-made colorless gas. It is primarily used in plastics production. It can also be a result of chemicals like TCE and perchloroethylene (PCE) degrading.

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), vinyl chloride exposure is associated with an increased risk for many cancers, including leukemia.

Leukemia symptoms

Leukemia development time, symptoms and prognosis vary greatly depending on disease subtype. Common symptoms of leukemia include:

• Bleeding easily (including nosebleed or bleeding gums)
• Bone/joint pain or tenderness
• Bruising easily
• Fatigue, tiring easily
• Fever or night sweats
• Frequent infections
• Pain or full feeling under your ribs on the left side
• Pale skin
• Purplish/darkened skin patches
• Rash that looks like tiny red spots in the skin (petechiae)
• Shortness of breath
• Swollen lymph nodes (check neck, groin, stomach and underarms)
• Unexplained weight loss

People who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune should consult a doctor if they develop any of these symptoms.

Our history representing veterans

Motley Rice lawyers have experience helping veterans and their family members sue for compensation for their injuries. Our experience representing veterans includes suing over:

• 3M earplugs and hearing loss
• EFP roadside bombs manufactured by terrorists
• Exposure to asbestos and other toxic materials
• Exposure to toxins released from burn pits at military facilities
• Mesothelioma diagnoses

Read more on our work in support of veterans.