Camp Lejeune Liver Cancer

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 allows people who were in the military, or lived near or worked on base, to sue the U.S. federal government for compensation. This includes for pain and suffering. You must have developed liver cancer, or another recognized illnesses, and spent significant time on the base between August 1953 and December 1987. ⁽²⁾

Toxic Chemicals in Camp Lejeune Water

Testing was done on two wells supplying Camp Lejeune and surrounding areas with drinking water. The testing confirmed there were high levels of toxic chemicals in the wells at Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace. ⁽³⁾

These chemicals were detected in the water supply at Camp Lejeune: ^{(4) (5)}

• Trichloroethylene (TCE) — This manmade chemical breaks down slowly over a long period of time. TCE is associated with liver cancer, kidney cancer, multiple myeloma, scleroderma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. ⁽⁶⁾
• Vinyl chloride — This chemical is manmade. It has been associated with liver cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia. ⁽⁷⁾
• Perchloroethylene (PCE) — This an organic chemical and is toxic to humans, even at low concentrations. It is resistant to degradation and biodegradation. PCE has been linked to lung, esophageal, rectal, and bladder cancers. ⁽⁸⁾
• Benzene — “Benzene is produced by both natural and man-made processes,” says The National Cancer Institute. It has been associated with non-Hodgkin lymphoma and leukemia. ⁽⁹⁾

Did Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Cause Liver Cancer?

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), levels of these contaminants in Camp Lejeune water were well above the “current U.S. maximum contaminant levels” (MCL). ⁽¹⁰⁾  

The MCL for TCE, vinyl chloride, and PCE are 5 parts per billion (ppb). The MCL for benzene is 2 ppb. The report goes on to say, “TCE and PCE levels above their current MCLs were likely present in the distribution systems since the 1950s.” ⁽¹¹⁾

ATSDR reports, “In the Hadnot Point system, the median monthly estimated average concentrations of TCE, PCE, vinyl chloride and benzene was 366 ppb, 15 ppb, 22 ppb and 5 ppb, respectively. In the Tarawa Terrace system, the median monthly estimated average concentrations of PCE, TCE and vinyl chloride were 85 ppb, 4 ppb and 6 ppb.” ⁽¹²⁾

Evidence for Liver Cancer

ATSDR found there was sufficient evidence vinyl chloride and TCE cause liver cancer. ⁽¹³⁾ “Since the liver is working to breakdown TCE, high dose exposures will cause an increase in some liver enzymes in the blood…the liver works to break down alcohol in a similar way as it breaks down TCE. Exposure to TCE may increase your risk for liver cancer.” ⁽¹⁴⁾

Other studies agree with ATSDR. Researchers note they, “identified more than 80 studies that evaluated cancer and TCE exposure, concluding that the evidence more firmly supported associations of TCE exposure with liver and kidney cancer while providing some support for associations with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL).” ⁽¹⁵⁾

Camp Lejeune Liver Cancer Lawsuits

Lawsuits are being filed on behalf of those diagnosed with liver cancer due to exposure to toxic chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune.

On August 10, 2022, President Biden signed the Honoring our PACT Act. This act includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. It allows you to sue if you were made ill from the water at Camp Lejeune. ⁽¹⁶⁾

Almost immediately, lawsuits began being filed. These lawsuits are claiming Camp Lejeune water contamination is causing liver cancer. More lawsuits are being filed on an ongoing basis.

It is important to file a lawsuit as quickly as possible because the law provides only a small window of time to make your claim.

Eligibility to File a Lawsuit

Understanding if you are eligible to file a claim is key. Here are the criteria you must meet to file a lawsuit:

• You or a family member must have served in the military and/or worked on or lived near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between August 1,1953 and December 31, 1987.
• You must have been exposed to contaminated water for more than 30 cumulative days.
• You must have been diagnosed with liver cancer or one of the other conditions associated with exposure to these contaminants. ⁽¹⁷⁾ You need evidence supporting your diagnosis and applicable medical records.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) says “Scientific and medical evidence has shown an association between exposure to these contaminants during military service and development of certain diseases later on.” ⁽¹⁸⁾

Legal Options for Victims of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Anyone affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and diagnosed with liver cancer should consider all of your legal options.

If you or a loved one were exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune — and got cancer from it — you should file a lawsuit.

You need a law firm with experience representing veterans and their families. You also want a firm with experience in contaminated water litigation.

For nearly four decades, W&L has legally represented veterans, as well as their families. We have stood up for them against large corporations in contaminated groundwater cases, and we are now taking cases against the U.S. federal government.

W&L knows the law and understands the complexities of environmental pollution issues. We have a team of qualified, experienced, and compassionate attorneys. Our team is fighting for clients harmed by toxic chemicals in your water supply.

How W&L Can Help

With our help, clients have achieved successful outcomes and received compensation for actual injuries, in addition to pain and suffering.

Here is a snapshot of some of our accomplishments for clients:

• W&L co-led negotiations of a $65.25 million settlement for a Hoosick Falls, New York, community exposed to drinking water contaminated with PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid).

• W&L reached a $23.5 million settlement for residents of Petersburgh, New York in a separate PFOA contamination case over this “forever chemical.”

• W&L achieved a landmark $423 million settlement against oil companies for 153 public water systems nationwide with water contaminated by MTBE (methyl tert-butyl ether), a flammable additive for gasoline and a laboratory solvent.