Illnesses Caused by Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

As a lawyer and a victim of Camp Lejeune water contamination, I conducted months of research until I discovered that more than 1 million people had experienced health problems related to this case.

I verified this even further when I teamed up with experienced medical professionals to inspect each of these illnesses and their obvious signs.

If you or your loved one are experiencing an illness caused by water contamination at Camp Lejeune, contact expert lawyers at Schmidt & Clark now.

Quick Summary

• Benzene, TCE, and PCE are the toxic substances behind the diseases and symptoms prevalent when in contact with Camp Lejeune water.
• Some disorders may not have symptoms, particularly in the early stages, but you should constantly monitor your body patterns if you notice any abnormalities.
• Victims suffering from conditions such as adult leukemia and aplastic anemia will not receive the same compensation as others suffering from life-threatening cancers or Parkinson’s disease.

Bladder Cancer

A health survey report strongly suggests a link between the toxic water at Camp Lejeune and bladder cancer. Veterans exposed to the toxic water had an increased risk of bladder cancer [1].

Bladder cancer affects the tissue of the bladder, corrupting it with cancer cells. It is more prevalent in older adults, and common symptoms include blood in the urine, back pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, and much more.

Biological therapy and chemotherapy are possible treatments for bladder cancer, but these treatments work best when the disease is detected in its early stages.

Related Article: Camp Lejeune Bladder Cancer Case

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is another disease you could get if you are exposed to the water at Camp Lejeune. 

This disease affects the cells in the breast, and some studies have postulated that exposure to polluted water can alter the normal functioning of breast cells, increasing the risk in affected individuals.

Common symptoms of breast cancer include lumps in the breast, blood discharge from the nipple, and changes in breast shape.

Cervical Cancer

If you are diagnosed with cervical cancer due to exposure to the water supply at Camp Lejeune, you most likely have a dangerous tumor in your cervix region.

The most common symptoms are irregular bleeding, body pain, abnormal menstruation, fatigue, and weight gain or loss.

Cervical cancer is treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. 

Esophageal Cancer

Esophageal cancer is another disease you can contract if exposed to the Camp Lejeune water. This cancer affects the esophagus—the long tube responsible for transporting food from your mouth to your stomach.

Possible symptoms include chest pain, difficulty swallowing, coughing, throat coarseness, burning sensation, etc. Treatments for this cancer include surgery, teletherapy, and chemotherapy.

Related Article: Camp Lejeune Esophageal Cancer Lawsuit

Kidney Cancer

Studies strongly suggest kidney cancer is one of the cancers with the strongest link to the Camp Lejeune water contamination.

These studies show that affected individuals who contracted kidney cancer had prime exposure to TCE and PCE–two toxic substances that are primarily responsible for the polluted water at Camp Lejeune [2].

Common symptoms of kidney cancer include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, and blood in the urine. Treatments include surgery, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.

Often, these treatments are done simultaneously to facilitate quick response and recovery.

Related Article: Camp Lejeune Kidney Cancer Lawsuit

Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is linked to Camp Lejeune contamination, and reports suggest that individuals who were exposed to the toxic substances in the water stand a very high chance of contracting liver cancer [3].

Abdominal swelling, nausea, loss of appetite, and jaundice are common symptoms of liver cancer. It can be treated by getting rid of the infected parts of the liver, undergoing a liver transplant, or through chemotherapy and radiation.

Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma

Non-Hodgkin lymphoma is a cancer that impairs your body's immune system, causing an overabundance of white blood cells.

Benzene, one of the toxic chemicals found in the Camp Lejeune water, is strongly linked to this cancer, which is why exposed individuals stand a high chance of contracting this disease.

Possible symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, fever, fatigue, weight loss, chest pain, stomach pain, etc. Depending on the stage, this cancer can be treated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and stem-cell transplant.

Adult Leukemia

Adult leukemia is a type of cancer that affects your blood cells, causing your bone marrow to produce more than is required.

Symptoms of this cancer include fever, red spots on the skin, fatigue, swollen liver, abnormal bleeding, weight loss, etc.

It can be treated with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, and stem cell transplant.

Read more: Camp Lejeune Leukemia Lawsuit

Aplastic Anemia

Aplastic anemia affects the red blood cells within your system, causing your body to produce insufficient amounts.

The chemicals in this water, such as benzene and trichloroethylene, are mainly responsible for this disorder.

You can treat aplastic anemia by undergoing blood transfusions, stem cell transplants, and medications.

Multiple Myeloma

Studies strongly suggest a high-level relationship between multiple myeloma and TCE and PCE - two toxic chemical substances found in the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune [4].

Multiple myeloma corrupts the plasma cells within the bone marrow, causing you to experience damage within your bones and immune system.

Symptoms may not appear immediately, but they usually include loss of appetite, bone pain, fever, fatigue, and weight loss.

Treatments include medications, chemotherapy, corticosteroids, radiation, or a stem-cell transplant.

Related Article: Camp Lejeune Multiple Myeloma Lawsuit 

Renal Toxicity

Renal toxicity damages the kidneys, causing them to be unable to eliminate waste and other impurities from the blood.

Common symptoms include fatigue, nausea, weakness, irregular heartbeats, and irregular urination.

Read more: Camp Lejeune Renal Toxicity Lawsuit Info

Scleroderma

Scleroderma is a rare condition that affects women above 30 years. Nonetheless, it is a deadly disease and can cause your skin to tighten and become highly inflamed.

Possible symptoms of this disease include joint pain, excess cold, heartburn, and tightening of the skin.

Medications, physical therapy, and surgery can be considered possible treatments for this disorder.

Hepatic Steatosis

Hepatic steatosis, also known as fatty liver disease, causes you to have excess fat in your liver, resulting in liver scarring and, in worse cases, liver failure. 

It is one of the diseases you can contract when exposed to toxic substances in the polluted water at Camp Lejeune.

Symptoms of this disease include fatigue, weight loss, and abdominal pain, although they can vary from one person to another.

Treatments for this disorder include diet change, physical exercises, and alcohol avoidance.

Infertility

Exposure to Camp Lejeune water can cause women to become infertile, making it difficult for them to bear children.

This condition is quite disastrous and affects women's mental and physical well-being.

If you believe you are suffering from infertility due to your exposure to polluted water, you might want to see a medical professional and do fertility tests, and hormone treatments.

Related Article: Camp Lejeune Miscarriage & Fetal Death Suit

Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer, and it affects the lungs when cells start to grow out of control.

This disease is one of the major disorders in the disease registry. You can contract it when you inhale benzene, one of the toxic substances in the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

Common symptoms of this disease include persistent cough, chest pain, wheezing, and weight loss. These symptoms also manifest during the later stages of the disease.

Possible treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy.

Neurobehavioral Effects

Neurobehavioral effects are health conditions that affect the nervous system, causing you to exhibit abnormal behaviors. 

These effects have a strong link with the toxins found in the Camp Lejeune water, as proven by reports from the U.S. National Research Council.

Common symptoms of Camp Lejeune Neurobehavioral Effects Claim include headaches, lack of coordination, sensory disturbances, confusion, depression, tension, and lack of concentration.

See all related toxic tort lawsuits our lawyers have taken on.

What Can Victims Do to Alleviate the Symptoms of These Diseases?

Victims who want to alleviate the symptoms of diseases such as adult leukemia, aplastic anemia, and many more should immediately consult a doctor.

These doctors will inform them about various recovery options that could lessen the effects of these symptoms.

Also, dental issues such as tooth decay, damaged teeth, tooth pain, and tooth cracking are common challenges faced by Camp Lejeune residents who ingested the water.

The chemicals present in the water, such as benzene, also play a part in causing these dental issues in victims.

Nonetheless, if you are suffering from any dental issue caused by exposure to Camp Lejeune water, you should treat them before they spiral into something much worse.

You should also file a compensation claim to accommodate the expenses you will make to get the treatments you need.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is still ongoing, with more and more claims filed daily as more people continue to provide scientific and medical evidence about their exposure.

The government is still looking for a way to settle all of these claims, although we don't know the exact date it will happen.

The August 2022 Camp Lejeune Justice Act and the Camp Lejeune Families Act allow you to file a lawsuit if you or your family members suffer from a condition and have evidence that it is linked to Camp Lejeune's contaminated water supplies.

"Thousands, literally tens of thousands of veterans who have very legitimate, serious claims for injuries they've suffered – cancer, Parkinson's disease."
- Richard Blumenthal, Senator of the United States

Average Settlement for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim

The Camp Lejeune water contamination average settlement claim varies, although experts have estimated that it could be anywhere from $25,000 to $1 million, depending on the severity of the illness.

For example, victims who have Parkinson's disease or cancer tend to get higher settlements, while victims suffering from less severe illnesses such as anemia will get lesser amounts.

“Even with scientific advances, the complex nature of the Camp Lejeune contamination and the limited data on the concentrations in water supplies allow for only crude estimates of exposure.”
- David Savitz, Professor at Brown University

FAQs

Can Camp Lejeune Water Cause Nerve Damage?

Camp Lejeune water can cause nerve damage and other neurological effects if you get exposed to toxic chemicals, mainly TCE and PCE.

What Diseases Are Associated With Camp Lejeune?

The diseases that are associated with Camp Lejeune include adult leukemia, multiple myeloma, liver cancer, kidney cancer, and many more.

Has Anyone Received Compensation for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?

Some veterans have received compensation for Camp Lejeune water contamination. In 2017, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs distributed over $2 billion to veterans who were victims of Camp Lejeune water.

Is Anxiety a Neurobehavioral Effect Caused by the Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water?

Anxiety is a neurobehavioral effect that is caused by Camp Lejeune contaminated water. However, this environment has led to some other neurobehavioral problems too, like insomnia, headaches, and dementia.

Conclusion

If you or your loved one served at Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) and are suffering from a disease due to exposure to the contaminated water, contact Schmidt & Clark, LLP immediately at (866) 588-0600.

You can also visit us at our main office at 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20004. 

You will be entitled to disability benefits, and it is only right that you get the justice that you deserve.

We are available round the clock and have experienced attorneys that can offer you a free, confidential case evaluation and help you file a Camp Lejeune water contamination compensation claim.

References:

1. https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/sites/lejeune/docs/health_survey_report-508.pdf
2. https://misuse.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/error/abuse.shtml 
3. https://misuse.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/error/abuse.shtml 
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3094509/