Camp Lejeune Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Lawsuit

People with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, also referred to as NHL, filed Camp Lejeune lawsuits to seek justice and compensation for their disease. New filing options became available after the passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. 

This act, part of the larger Honoring Our PACT Act, opened a two-year window for Camp Lejeune claims. The filing window for Camp Lejeune claims closed on August 10, 2024. The Department of the Navy is no longer accepting new claims. 

The contaminated water at Camp Lejeune has been linked to multiple cancers, including NHL. Individuals who were present on base for more than 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987 may have been exposed to various chemicals in the water. This includes veterans and their family members. Chemicals present in Camp Lejeune water include:

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

These chemicals, known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), are linked to increased risk for various cancers, including NHL.

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that affects the body’s immune system and white blood cells. Several of the VOCs found in Camp Lejeune’s water have been linked to an increased risk of developing NHL. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has found evidence connecting NHL to benzene, PCE and TCE.

Benzene and non-Hodgkin lymphoma

The ATSDR has found “sufficient evidence for causation for benzene and NHL.” Other health agencies, such as the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), have also concluded that benzene is carcinogenic.

Benzene is a liquid chemical that can be formed from natural and manmade processes. It has been associated with other health effects as well, including short-term effects like dizziness and headaches. 

Perchloroethylene (PCE) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma

There is a connection between PCE and NHL. A study found dry cleaning workers exposed to PCE exhibited elevated risk for NHL, but no meta-analyses have been conducted. Other occupational exposure studies have also found the same elevated risk.

PCE is a liquid chemical used in industrial applications. 

Trichloroethylene (TCE) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) says TCE “may be associated with an increased risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma.” The ATSDR has also found “sufficient evidence for causation for TCE and NHL.”

TCE is another liquid chemical produced from human industrial activities. 

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma can take years to develop, depending on the disease grade and various risk factors. People who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune should pay special attention to any new or worsening health issues. Catching cancer early is often the best way to receive a favorable prognosis.

Below are a few common signs and symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma. If you or a loved one experience any of these, contact a doctor to determine the next steps.

Symptoms of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

• Abdominal pain or swelling
• Chest pain
• Coughing
• Fever
• Persistent fatigue
• Night sweats
• Swollen lymph nodes in neck, armpits or groin
• Trouble breathing
• Unexplained weight loss

Other Camp Lejeune water contamination conditions

Several types of cancer and diseases besides NHL have also been linked to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. These conditions include:

• Aplastic anemia
• Bladder cancer
• Cardiac birth defects
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Other kidney and end stage renal diseases
• Parkinson's disease
• Systemic scleroderma
• Systemic sclerosis

Motley Rice attorneys have represented veterans and their families and fought for their rights in court. Our law firm is committed to justice and helping veterans and their families receive what they deserve. 

We have represented veterans and their families in litigation concerning:

• 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
• Mesothelioma diagnosis

Read more on our work in support of veterans.