Camp Lejeune Myelodysplastic Syndrome Lawsuit

The toxic water at North Carolina’s Camp Lejeune exposed thousands of veterans, their families and workers to dangerous chemicals. Studies estimate these chemicals were in the base’s water supply from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987. People exposed during that time have filed lawsuits to gain compensation for their injuries. Many health effects have been linked to the Camp Lejeune water contamination, including several cancers.

Myelodysplastic syndrome is one of the conditions linked to Camp Lejeune’s water. There are several types of MDS, which is a rare blood cancer affecting the bone marrow. MDS has been linked to certain toxic chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

The VOCs discovered in Camp Lejeune’s water are:

• 1,2-dichloroethylene (DCE)
• Benzene
• Perchloroethylene / tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Vinyl chloride

In addition to MDS, these chemicals have been linked to multiple Camp Lejeune cancers and other health conditions, such as:

• Aplastic anemia
• Bladder cancer
• Cardiac birth defects
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
• Other kidney and end stage renal diseases
• Parkinson's disease
• Systemic scleroderma
• Systemic sclerosis
• Certain other diseases/conditions

People who developed these conditions were eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.

Many veterans, their family members, and other on-base workers were exposed to Camp Lejeune’s toxic water. In August 2022, the Honoring Our PACT Act was signed into law. The PACT Act included the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (CLJA). This Act opened a 2-year window for people impacted by the base’s contaminated water to file a claim. 

Individuals were eligible to file a claim if they developed a condition linked to the toxic water after being present on base for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987. The deadline to file an administrative claim with the Department of the Navy (DON) was August 10, 2024. Now that this date has passed, new CLJA claims are barred.

People who filed a claim by the deadline may be eligible to sue if the DON denied the claim or failed to make final disposition of the claim within six months. People may have also chosen to accept the elective payout option offered to some claimants by the DON. However, the elective option settlement may be insufficient to cover all expenses incurred by victims and/or their families.

Myelodysplastic syndrome is a rare type of blood cell cancer caused by issues with a person’s bone marrow. Bone marrow is the spongy core inside of our bones that is responsible for making our blood cells. When something is wrong with the bone marrow, blood cells die before they enter the bloodstream or shortly after. This results in low blood cell and platelet counts, which can lead to other conditions, such as:

• Anemia: Low red blood cell count
• Leukopenia: Low white blood cell count
• Thrombocytopenia: Low blood platelet count

Some studies have linked the contaminants in Camp Lejeune’s water to MDS. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) assessed the evidence linking these toxins to various Camp Lejeune illnesses. It links TCE specifically to MDS.

An international analysis studied the relationship between benzene and various lymphohematopoietic cancers in petroleum workers, including MDS. The researchers found that even low-dose exposure to benzene resulted in a higher risk of MDS. The Mayo Clinic also lists benzene exposure as a risk factor for MDS. 

Symptoms of myelodysplastic syndrome

Symptoms and signs that may indicate myelodysplastic syndrome include: 

• Easy or unusual bleeding
• Easy or unusual bruising
• Fatigue
• Frequent infections
• Pinpoint-sized red spots just beneath the skin (petechiae)
• Shortness of breath
• Unusual paleness (pallor)

If you exhibit or a loved one exhibits any of these symptoms, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Our lawyers at Motley Rice are committed to justice for veterans and their families. We have represented veterans in a range of claims, including:

• Exposure to asbestos and other toxic materials
• 3M earplugs and hearing loss
• EFP roadside bombs manufactured by terrorists
• Exposure to toxins released from burn pits at military facilities
• Veterans or active-duty soldiers harmed or killed in a helicopter or other type of plane incident

Read more on our work in support of veterans.