Many people have felt the effects of Camp Lejeune water contamination, and this is not just limited to those who live near Camp Lejeune. The damage can be seen across the country as veterans who served there are now developing severe health issues and diseases.
Veterans exposed to contaminated water regularly may be eligible for compensation from the VA. The VA has listed numerous diseases linked with the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. This article will discuss some of these medical conditions.
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What to Do if You Are Diagnosed With One of These Diseases?
Suppose you are diagnosed with one of the illnesses associated with the Camp Lejeune water contamination. In that case, seeking medical treatment and getting a second opinion is essential.
Besides going to the doctor for medical help, you should consult an attorney for legal help. Veterans, their family members, reservists, and guardsmen stationed at Camp Lejeune between August 1953 and December 1987 can file a lawsuit to get compensation for medical expenses for the diseases they developed due to exposure.
The government will dedicate some amount of payout for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit. If you file the lawsuit in time and prove the link between water exposure and your disease, you can get a reasonable settlement amount.
Although the payout for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit is not fixed yet, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates it to be around $6.7 billion. However, remember that this amount is just an estimation from the CBO, not the final number.
Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a form of cancer affecting the lymphatic system, a network of vessels carrying immune cells throughout the body. The NIH predicts that the total number of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma new cases will be 80,470 in 2022, making up 4.2% of the total new cancer cases.
Common causes include:
- Chronic or repeated exposure to substances like pesticides or benzene
- Long-term immune suppression from HIV/AIDS medications or chemotherapy for other cancers
- Family history of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer can be found early and treated but is not always curable. Kidney cancer is treatable if caught early, so it’s important to get screened for kidney problems if you live near Camp Lejeune or have served there.
Kidney cancer is not always fatal. It’s common for patients to live with kidney disease for many years before developing into full-blown renal failure or dying from their condition. However, people with renal failure have an increased risk of heart disease due to high blood pressure and other factors related to diabetes mellitus.
The incidences of kidney cancer are increasing due to the modern diet and stress. A recent survey shows an increase of 88% in kidney cancer incidence rates in the UK since the 1990s.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a type of blood cancer that can be acute or chronic. Acute leukemia occurs when the bone marrow produces abnormal white blood cells, crowding healthy red and platelet-producing cells. Chronic leukemia occurs when the bone marrow produces too many of one kind of white blood cell for a long time, longer than 12 months, and these lymphocytes never go away.
When people talk about Camp Lejeune water contamination and cancer, they almost always talk about acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which affects the bone marrow’s ability to produce normal red blood cells and platelets. AML is one of the most common forms of adult leukemia in adults under 60, but it only accounts for about 1% of all cancers diagnosed annually.
Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells, a type of white blood cell. When the immune system becomes weakened, it can’t fight off infections and diseases as effectively as it should. Multiple myeloma occurs when these plasma cells are overproduced and start to crowd out healthy cells.
Multiple myeloma is often caused by excessive exposure to certain chemicals or toxins, like those found in Camp Lejeune water contamination, but it can also be due to genetic mutations, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). There’s no way to prevent multiple myeloma. However, you might reduce your risk if you don’t smoke or drink alcohol heavily.
Liver Cancer
Liver cancer is a rare disease, with only 0.5% of people diagnosed with it yearly. It’s important to note that liver cancer can be caused by exposure to certain chemicals, viruses, and bacteria.
Although it is not commonly linked with Camp Lejeune water contamination, there are certain things you need to know about this illness if you believe you may be experiencing symptoms of liver cancer or have been exposed to the contaminated water in North Carolina.
What are some signs of liver cancer?
Liver cancer often has no signs or symptoms until it has spread beyond the liver (metastasized). When this happens, symptoms may include:
- A lump on your abdomen or in another part of your body
- Pain on the left side of your stomach area
- Jaundice
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is one of the most common cancers among veterans. It’s caused by exposure to toxic chemicals, such as those found in coal tar or gasoline.
Bladder cancer can be treated with surgery and chemotherapy. Suppose you suspect that you or someone close to you has bladder cancer. In that case, it’s essential to seek medical attention immediately so that doctors can diagnose and treat the condition as soon as possible.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by a loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the brain. Environmental toxins, including pesticides and solvents, can cause it. The diagnosis is made after ruling out other causes of Parkinson’s symptoms.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease. Still, treatment options include medications to control symptoms such as tremors and stiffness, physical therapy and occupational therapy to manage movement problems, speech therapy if swallowing becomes difficult, deep brain stimulation surgery, or even stem cell therapy.
Conclusion
We hope you feel more confident about the possibility of your family’s illness being related to contamination at Camp Lejeune. If this has affected your family, please contact an experienced attorney to help determine what comes next and how it applies to you.