Camp Lejeune Water Contamination & Esophageal Cancer
Between 1953 and 1987, those who served or worked at Camp Lejeune were exposed to a wide range of toxic chemicals called volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which had seeped into the base’s water supply.
VOCs found in the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune were benzene, PCE (perchloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene), and TCE (trichloroethylene). All of them are now known as carcinogens (cancer-causing substances).
Esophageal cancer has been linked to VOC exposure by leading health organizations, including the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The esophagus is a tube that connects the stomach to the throat. Symptoms of esophageal cancer can include difficulty swallowing, heartburn, coughing, and sudden weight loss.
Esophageal cancer can be quite aggressive and even deadly, and sadly, those who lived or served at Camp Lejeune had no idea they were being put at risk until it was too late. However, those affected can now pursue financial payouts from the federal government.
Learn if you qualify to file a Camp Lejeune claim right now with our team’s help.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act & Esophageal Cancer Lawsuits
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 paved the way for legal recourse for Camp Lejeune veterans and their family members that developed esophageal cancer and other health problems.
President Joe Biden signed this act into law in August of 2022 as part of the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act).
Thanks to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, those that served at the base can finally file legal claims to get the financial aid they deserve.
Compensation Options for Camp Lejeune Esophageal Cancer Victims
Those who developed esophageal cancer or other health problems from Camp Lejeune’s toxic water have two main ways to retrieve compensation.
The first option is to file for benefits offered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which include health care and monthly disability compensation.
Esophageal cancer is linked to the base’s toxic water by the VA. This means U.S. Camp Lejeune veterans and their loved ones may receive reimbursement for related medical expenses if they meet the other eligibility requirements (serving 30 total days at Camp Lejeune and not being dishonorably discharged).
Veterans, loved ones, and civilians can also pursue Camp Lejeune lawsuits (also known as legal claims) to get financial compensation.
Steps to Filing a Camp Lejeune Esophageal Cancer Lawsuit
Filing a Camp Lejeune esophageal cancer lawsuit is easier with a skilled team behind you. Learn how to file a lawsuit and find top lawyers below.
1. Contact a Camp Lejeune Lawyer
A Camp Lejeune attorney is a specific type of personal injury lawyer who helps veterans, loved ones, and civilians harmed by the base’s contaminated water.
Attorneys can offer many advantages for your claim, from helping you gather the evidence you need, to building a strong case, to handling negotiations and working toward a settlement.
2. Find Out Your Eligibility for Camp Lejeune Esophageal Cancer Lawsuits
Once you contact a Camp Lejeune attorney, their first order of business will be to see if they can help you.
If you developed esophageal cancer after having spent at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible to start a lawsuit. The time spent doesn’t have to be consecutive.
People may also be eligible to file esophageal cancer lawsuits on behalf of deceased loved ones, even if they passed away from their illness many years before.
3. Evidence in Camp Lejeune Esophageal Cancer Cases
When filing a Camp Lejeune esophageal cancer lawsuit, it is very important to have certain types of evidence on hand to support your case.
Evidence that can help Camp Lejeune esophageal cancer claims include:
- Medical records, including documentation of an esophageal cancer diagnosis
- Records for military service
- Records of employment for Camp Lejeune
- Records of housing from Camp Lejeune
Your Camp Lejeune attorney can help you gather all of the needed information to make your case as strong as it can be.
4. File a Camp Lejeune Esophageal Cancer Claim
Your Camp Lejeune attorney will be familiar with all types of documents needed for your claim and can also help you to submit everything before any deadlines arrive.
Once your claim is filed, negotiations can begin so that you can receive financial compensation.
5. Negotiate a Camp Lejeune Settlement
A settlement is a legal agreement in which you’ll receive money from those who you filed the claim against.
Negotiating a Camp Lejeune settlement will take a lot of back-and-forth communication. This is why it can be so beneficial to work with a knowledgeable and experienced Camp Lejeune attorney.
Filing Deadline for Camp Lejeune Cancer Cases
There is limited time to file a Camp Lejeune esophageal cancer case. The official deadline for filing Camp Lejeune claims is August 2024. After this point, you’ll not be able to file a claim.
Don’t lose your chance at receiving financial compensation and justice. File a claim now with our team’s help.
Damages in Camp Lejeune Esophageal Cancer Claims
When seeking compensation for Camp Lejeune-related esophageal cancer, there are multiple types of damages (reasons why you deserve compensation).
Types of damages that might be claimed in Camp Lejeune lawsuits include:
- Loss of income
- Medical costs for both short-term and long-term care
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
Top Camp Lejeune esophageal cancer attorneys can help determine which damages you can receive.
Settlement Values of Esophageal Cancer Claims
No Camp Lejeune esophageal cancer cases have reached a settlement yet, as most claims are still in their early stages. Our team is watching the situation closely and will provide examples of Camp Lejeune settlements when they are made public.
That said, Camp Lejeune settlement amounts might vary significantly based on a number of factors, most notably the damages listed in a claim and the evidence presented.
To ensure that you get the most amount of money from your Camp Lejeune esophageal cancer settlement, work with top attorneys.
Other Health Issues Linked to Camp Lejeune Water
Esophageal cancer is one of the more serious and life-threatening types of health effects associated with Camp Lejeune. However, it is far from the only one.
Other health conditions and cancers linked to Camp Lejeune include:
- Aplastic anemia
- Birth defects
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility
- Hepatic steatosis
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurological disorders
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
Thankfully, you and your loved ones can pursue compensation through a claim if you developed any of these health issues or cancers from Camp Lejeune drinking water. Get started now.
Camp Lejeune Esophageal Cancer Lawsuit FAQs
Has the water at Camp Lejeune been linked to esophageal cancer?
The dangerous chemicals that were discovered in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune in the 1980s have been linked to multiple kinds of cancer, including esophageal cancer.
VOCs are known to be carcinogens, meaning that they promote the formation of cancer.
Who is eligible to file a Camp Lejeune esophageal cancer lawsuit?
Anyone who has been diagnosed with esophageal cancer after spending time at Camp Lejeune may be eligible for legal action if they can prove there is a link between the two.
If you have a loved one who passed away from esophageal cancer as a result of Camp Lejeune water contamination, you may be eligible to file on their behalf.
Is esophageal cancer a presumptive condition for Camp Lejeune claims?
No, esophageal cancer is not considered a presumptive condition for Camp Lejeune claims according to the VA. However, those with Camp Lejeune esophageal cancer can still qualify for the reimbursement of medical costs related to this cancer through the VA.
Further, people who have been diagnosed with esophageal cancer after being exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune can also file lawsuits to seek financial compensation.
What’s the average payout for a Camp Lejeune esophageal cancer settlement?
No Camp Lejeune esophageal cancer cases have been settled yet, so there is no average payout data available.
Settlement amounts for Camp Lejeune cases will be likely based on the severity of the illness, the extent of medical expenses a person had, and numerous other factors.
Will I lose my VA benefits if I file a Camp Lejeune esophageal cancer lawsuit?
No, filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit will not affect or cause you to lose your VA benefits. Instead, filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit may earn you additional financial compensation from the U.S. government.
Talk with a qualified Camp Lejeune lawyer to learn whether it’s in your best interest to start a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
