What Is A Presumptive Condition
A presumptive disease is a diagnosis of a chronic illness a veteran receives during active duty. The Department of Veteran Affairs assumes the circumstances of a persons military service caused the disease. Common examples include arthritis and Type 2 diabetes. A military member can claim non-taxable benefits as compensation.
For a condition to be presumptive, a veteran must receive a diagnosis no later than a year after release from active duty. Additionally, certain groups of former service members may qualify for benefits for presumptive diseases.
For instance, prisoners of war and veterans of specific wars can apply for VA disability benefits. However, individuals may qualify if they resided on or served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS for health care benefits.
Were You Exposed To Unsafe Drinking Water At Camp Lejeune
It was recently revealed that United States Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina had unsafe drinking water for decades. Anyone who lived, served, or worked on the base for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987 could have been severely exposed to contaminated water that might cause cancer and other serious illnesses. Worse yet, the government never took action to notify people at Camp Lejeune of the danger.
Maggio | Thompson, LLP in Mississippi is currently investigating the Camp Lejeune water contamination situation. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 is moving through Congress right now. If it passes, then it will become much easier for people to bring lawsuits against the federal government for its negligent handling of the water contamination crisis there. As a firm that focuses onclass action lawsuits against powerful defendants, you know you can trust us with your Camp Lejeune case should you be eligible to file a claim or join a plaintiff class.
For more information, call 265-6869 or contact us onlinenow.
The Veterans Attorneys At King Law Firm Can Help
Is the water at Camp Lejeune still contaminated?
Definitely not. Due to the fact that most contaminated wells at Camp Lejeune were shut down in 1985, claims can only be filed for those exposed from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry , as many as one million military and civilian staff, as well as their families, may have been exposed to the contaminated water during this time.
As a result of the contamination of the water, it contained benzene, vinyl chloride, dichloroethylene , and volatile organic compounds, including trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene . As a result, people have developed cancer and other serious injuries.
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Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Between 1953 and 1987, the U.S. Marine Corps base at Camp Lejeune provided residents and employees with drinking water that was heavily contaminated with industrial chemicals. Specifically, the water supply at Camp Lejeune during this period contained trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene . The PCE and TCE levels in the Lejeune water were thousands of times higher than the maximum safe limits set by the EPA. It was later disclosed that the water at Camp Lejeune was also contaminated with benzene.
It is estimated that over 1 million people lived and/or worked on the Camp Lejeune base during the 34-year period in which the water supply was believed to be contaminated. These individuals include former marines and their families who lived on the base in short- and long-term housing facilities. They also include civilian employees who worked at Lejeune.
The chemicals contaminating the water at Camp Lejeune are all known to be toxic to humans and animals. They are also known or suspected carcinogens and have been linked to higher cancer rates in animal testing.
Prostate Cancer And Vocs
On January 13, 2017, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs released its final rule on presumptive service connections associated with the Camp Lejeune water contamination.
This final rule updated the agencys initial list, adding certain diseases associated with contaminants that were present in the base water supply at Camp Lejeune from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987. You can read the final rule in its entirety on the Federal Register.
In the original rule, the VA determined that veterans, former reservists, and former National Guard members who served at Camp Lejeune for no less than 30 days during this period could be entitled to certain VA benefits. To qualify for these benefits, you must have been diagnosed with any of the following eight associated diseases:
- Non-Hodgkins lymphoma
- Parkinsons disease
The VA presumes that service personnel could have incurred or aggravated these diseases while in service. In response to this ruling, the agency received 53 comments.
These commenters were requesting to expand the list of presumptive conditions to include miscellaneous health issues and disabilities, both specified and unspecified. The list of newly proposed conditions was long and included conditions from diabetes mellitus and depression to neurologic disorders, sleep apnea, and many more. It also included prostate cancer.
Much of this evidence can be traced back to the ATSDRs ongoing Health Studies Activities. Lets review these in greater detail.
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Va Remedies Fall Short
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has tried to provide remedies, but its efforts have largely fallen short. As one Veteran with pancreatic and prostate cancer told CBS News, the VAs approach to Camp Lejeune water contamination claims was:
Deny, deny, deny until they die.
From 2011 to 2022, the VA has granted 18,910 Camp Lejeune water contamination claims and denied 90,427 others for an overall approval rate of 17%. Approximately 2,443 claims are still pending, and many Veterans have died from their service-related medical conditions while waiting for their claims to be approved.
Talk With An Experienced Camp Lejeune Prostate Cancer Lawsuit Attorney For Free
Riddle & Brantley can help you determine the best legal options for seeking compensation if you were diagnosed with prostate cancer after being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. For free legal advice and assistance, contact us at 1-800-525-7111.
You can also complete the fast and easy form below if its more convenient. We can consult with you for free via phone, email, text message, or even video conference. We can even come directly to you if its more convenient.
Our Results
Weve recovered over $665 million for our injured clients since 2000 alone , and were proud of the settlements and verdicts weve secured. In addition to frequently receiving significant compensation , clients consistently describe their experience working with our firms attorneys and staff in positive terms:
- It was nice to see Riddle & Brantley put me and my needs first. R. C.
- They turned a heartbreaking situation completely around. Tonya T.
- They made a hard time in my life easier to endure. Melissa C.
- Every time Ive needed them, they were there for me. Tyronnie T.
- Youll walk in the door as a client but leave as family. Theyre the absolute best. Susan S.
Award-Winning Trial Attorneys
Our Camp Lejeune prostate cancer lawyers based just miles away from Camp Lejeune with offices in Jacksonville, NC have also been recognized by many prestigious memberships and awards , including:
Call 1-800-525-7111 today and lets see how we can help.
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Contact A Va Disability Lawyer Today
A VA Disability Lawyers role is to assist you throughout the confusing and often frustrating appeals process if you have been denied benefits for your service-connected prostate cancer. Generally, you need to be denied at least once before an attorney can assist, but once a lawyer is involved they will often be able to quickly determine what needs to be done in order to prove entitlement.
If your VA disability claim for prostate cancer has been denied, be sure to contact the VA Accredited Attorneys at VetLaw right away to help make sure you get the entitlement you deserve.
Who Has The Right To Sue
If you were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, you may sue for damages if you have been diagnosed with any of the following diseases:
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Hepatic steatosis
- Neurobehavioral effects
The individuals who come forward will need to demonstrate that their illness was caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Additionally, the applicants will be required to demonstrate how their medical conditions have adversely affected their quality of life.
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What Happened At Camp Lejeune
If you or a loved one served on the Camp Lejeune military base in Jacksonville, FL between the years 1953 and 1987, and you have been diagnosed with any of the below-stated diseases, you potentially will be able to make a civil claim.
Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina is known for being a marine corps base for our beloved military members. This U.S. Marine Corps Base was established in 1942 and was home to millions of people serving in our military. For decades the brave men and women defending our country, and other personnel on the base, were provided water through water wells on the property. Little did they know that the water that they were consuming was full of harmful chemicals that a human is never supposed to consume.
People who drank the water were never told by the government that there were harmful toxins in the water, that which they are now exposed. The failure to inform the military personnel about the exposure has led to cancer diagnoses and sadly many deaths.
Two of the eight water wells that are located on the military base premise have now been shut down after the discovery of the contaminates effects.
Camp Lejeune Prostate Cancer And Breast Cancer
Although the ATSDR studies have researched the connection of both prostate and breast cancer to Camp Lejeunes toxic water, these are not among the list of cancers presumptively considered service-connected.
This is because prostate and breast cancers are prevalent and have been associated with numerous environmental factors that could be other than the carcinogenic chemicals in the contaminated water. However, this should not refrain you from seeking justice.
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Want To Start A Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Call Now
Please dial 265-6869right now if you believe your cancer or chronic illness was caused by exposure to unsafe drinking water at Camp Lejeune. The more people who contact our attorneys, the more backing the Congressional act gets, and the stronger the class action lawsuit or individual claims will be if the act passes. Our firm can handle all aspects of a Camp Lejeune cancer case, so you do not need to worry about a thing when you put us in charge.
Contact us nowand request an initial consultation with our firm.
Mortality Study Of Marine And Naval Personnel
As mentioned, one of the studies conducted by the ATSDR is the Mortality Study of Marine and Naval Personnel.
The agency conducted this study to determine if Marine and Naval personnel exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune are at a higher risk of mortality from certain cancers and chronic diseases.
In the study, the ATSDR closely examined the causes of death for 154,932 on-base residents who began service between 1975 and 1985. At the same time, researchers also evaluated the causes of death for 154,969 on-base residents who served at Camp Pendleton during that same time period.
Other than the fact that the residents at Camp Pendleton were not exposed to contaminated water, the two groups are relatively the same. The cause of death data spanned from 1979 to 2008 and was obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics National Death Index .
This study examined all of the underlying causes of death associated with one or more of the VOCs found in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune. The ATSDR selected these causes based on research and literature reviews conducted by its internal staff, as well as the following agencies:
- The National Toxicology Program
- The International Agency for Research on Cancer
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What Are The Neurobehavioral Effects Of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Drinking water thats contaminated with toxic chemicals can potentially disrupt the nervous system and cause a range of different effects in someones emotions and behaviors.
Camp Lejeune neurobehavioral effects may include:
- Attention difficulties or trouble concentrating
Contributing Authors
The Sokolove Law Content Team is made up of writers, editors, and journalists. We work with case managers and attorneys to keep site information up to date and accurate. Our site has a wealth of resources available for victims of wrongdoing and their families.
How Much Money Can I Win
Camp Lejeune lawsuit plaintiffs are seeking the following damages:
- Past and future medical expenses associated with the illness/injury
- Past and future lost wages from being too sick to have a job and/or
- Past and future pain and suffering
Note that courts will not award punitive damages in CLJA lawsuits. And if you previously received money from the VA, Medicare or Medicaid for injuries related to your Camp Lejeune exposure, your CLJA settlement will be offset by those prior payments.
Plaintiffs attorneys expect the final settlement in Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits to far exceed what victims might have received through workers compensation disability benefits. This is because workers comp disability compensation is capped.
Camp Lejeune homes the II Marine Expeditionary Force as well as other Marine Corps commands.
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Camp Lejeune Drinking Water Might Cause Cancer
Investigations into how Camp Lejeune’s drinking water hurt the people who served, lived, and work there are still underway. However, it is known that frequent or large exposures to VOCs in drinking water can dramatically increase the risk of certain cancers and other severe illnesses.
People who drank the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune might be at a higher risk of:
- Major organ cancers including bladder, kidney, lung, and more
- Cardiovascular damage
- Prostate Cancer
Additionally, pregnant women who drink water contaminated by high levels of VOCs are more likely to suffer miscarriages. It is also believed that VOC poisoning can affect the brain, resulting in neurological harm that triggers anxiety, depression, and other severe mental health problems.
How Contaminated Was The Water At Camp Lejeune
Camp Lejeune is considered one of the worst incidents of contaminated drinking water in U.S. history because of the level of the contaminants in the water and the length of time that the contamination lasted. The levels of PCE and TCE in the water at Camp Lejeune were several hundred times above the maximum safe limits for human exposure. The levels of benzene and vinyl chloride in the water were much lower.
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The Atsdr Has Identified The Following Conditions As Being Sufficiently Linked To One Or More Of The Chemicals Found In The Water At Camp Lejeune:
Kidney CancerTrichloroethylene exposure has been established as a causal factor for kidney cancer. TCE is a known carcinogen that is most strongly linked to kidney cancer.
Non-Hodgkin LymphomaThree chemicals in the Camp Lejeune water supply have been linked to Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma: PCE, TCE, and benzene. Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma begins in the lymphatic system, forming too many white blood cells and triggering the growth of tumors.
Multiple MyelomaMultiple Myeloma, a plasma cell cancer, in former Camp Lejeune residents has been associated with TCE exposure and benzene exposure. Treatment for Multiple Myeloma has proven to be expensive and difficult for patients.
LeukemiasScientific research has indicated that exposure to volatile organic compounds , such as trichloroethylene and other dry cleaning solvents, have been found to increase the incidence of leukemia. Benzene also has been proven to cause all types of leukemias.
Liver CancerLiver cancer has been a common diagnosis for those exposed to Camp Lejeune water contamination. Liver cancer in Camp Lejeune residents has been linked to vinyl chloride and TCE. Previous scientific studies have indicated that vinyl chloride can lead to liver damage and other conditions such as Hepatic Steatosis .
Parkinson’s Disease TCE exposure at Camp Lejeune has been associated with an increased risk for Parkinson’s Disease. Several scientific and medical studies have linked TCE to Parkinson’s Disease.
- Other health conditions
Mistake #: Hiring A Law Firm From A Call Center
We have all seen the non- stop television advertisements for Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits. Avoid calling these numbers. These call centers are borderline scams. Most of these call centers are not law firms or operated by lawyers or law firms. These call centers typically sell you as a client to the highest bidder. In other words, a marketing company with deep pockets pays for the advertisements.
When you call the number from a TV ad seeking legal advice about your lucrative Camp Lejeune claim, you will speak with a call center operator. Many of these call center operators lack a high school education and are following a script. The call center operator will ask questions to see if you meet certain qualifications. If you meet the qualifications, you will be sold to a law firm. If you do not meet these scripted qualifications, they will dump you in a New York minute.
When you call us, you get to speak to an experienced lawyer on his cell phone with over 25 years of experience. You talk to a lawyer who gets to know you individually, consults with you about your legal rights and gets you started down the path to a lucrative settlement or a jury trial.
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