Colorectal Cancer Linked to Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune

An increased risk of colorectal cancer has been identified by medical professionals who’ve studied the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune as a particularly common diagnosis.

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conducted many scientific studies on the Camp Lejeune water supply, and found that residents with long-term exposure suffered from higher rates of colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, and many other deadly forms of cancer.

About Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer refers to the development of cancerous cells in the colon or rectum, which are parts of the large intestine.

The colon is a long, muscular tube that forms the majority of the large intestine and is responsible for absorbing water and nutrients from digested food.

The rectum, on the other hand, is the terminal part of the large intestine, located just above the anus, and serves as a temporary storage site for feces.

Colorectal cancer typically starts as small, noncancerous growths called polyps that form on the inner lining of the colon or rectum.

Over time, some polyps can transform into cancerous tumors.

The exact cause of colorectal cancer is not fully understood, but it is believed to develop due to a combination of genetic mutations and environmental factors.

Colorectal cancer is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease.

It is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with varying incidence rates across different regions.

Around 150,000 Americans get diagnosed with colorectal cancer annually, and about 1/3 of them will die because of the disease.

The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age, and it affects both men and women.

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

Different symptoms manifest at various stages of colorectal or colon cancer.

The classification starts from Stage 0, when the cancer is still in its earliest stages, to Stage 4, when cancer cells have spread all over the body.

Here are the most common symptoms to monitor:

Common symptoms of colorectal cancer may include:

• Constipation and difficulty with bowel movement
• Changes in stool color, texture, and shape
• Blood in stool; bleeding in the rectum
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Diarrhea
• Unexplained and rapid weight loss
• Weakness and fatigue

Complications of Colorectal Cancer

If colorectal cancer is not diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, it can lead to significant complications:

• Metastasis: The cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, or distant lymph nodes.
• Obstruction: The tumor growth can cause blockages in the colon or rectum, resulting in bowel obstruction.
• Bowel incontinence: Colorectal cancer can affect bowel control, leading to the inability to control bowel movements.

It is essential to recognize the seriousness of colorectal cancer, as early detection and treatment greatly improve the chances of successful outcomes.

Regular screenings, particularly colonoscopies, are recommended for individuals aged 50 and above, or for those with a family history of colorectal cancer.

These screenings play a crucial role in detecting and preventing colorectal cancer at an early stage.

Causes of Colorectal Cancer

There is still a lot of research needed to determine the true cause of colorectal cancer.

However, most scientists agree that this disease starts because of mutations in cells.

These alterations in the DNA cause cells to grow rapidly.

The trigger for the mutation can be genetic or environmental in nature.

While the genetic factors are out of most people’s control, the environmental causes can be avoided.

Did the Chemicals at Camp Lejeune Cause Colorectal Cancer?

Studies by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) have shown the connection between chemical exposure at Camp Lejeune and the development of various cancers in the body.

The registry also released a list of cancers and other diseases that are presumptively linked to the Camp Lejeune water contamination incident.

Colorectal cancer was not included in this list.

However, this exclusion doesn’t mean that compounds found in the contaminated water are not linked to colorectal cancer.

Various other studies have established strong links between colorectal cancer and chemicals found in Camp Lejeune.

Camp Lejeune Colorectal Cancer Lawsuit Settlement Projections

On the Camp Lejeune Justice Act administrative claim form, you and/or your legal representative will work to calculate an adequate settlement demand.

The Navy JAG will receive and review your claim. From here, the JAG has six months to confirm or deny your potential Camp Lejeune settlement amount.

Camp Lejeune settlement amounts can vary from person to person.

Several factors will be considered in the Navy JAG determination for potential Camp Lejeune compensation payouts.

If the Navy JAG fails to adjudicate an administrative claim within 6 months (180 days) of submission, claimants are able to file Camp Lejeune Lawsuits.

With this in mind, potential Camp Lejeune settlements vary on a number of factors such as length of exposure to contaminated water, available evidence, health conditions diagnosed, and more.

For colorectal cancer specifically, lawyers estimate that possible settlement amounts could range between $50,000 to over $200,000. 

These estimated settlement values are by no means a guarantee of compensation for your Camp Lejeune Colorectal Cancer Lawsuit.

These estimates are merely projections based on the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) fund for Camp Lejeune settlements and considerations of the number of claims present.

For more insight and a conversation on your individual claim, contact TorHoerman Law today for a free consultation. 

Our Camp Lejeune lawyers can help you understand the process, your rights, what to expect when filing a Camp Lejeune claim, and much more. 

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a Camp Lejeune Colon Cancer Lawsuit instantly. 

How are Camp Lejeune Settlements Calculated?

When the JAG receives claims for payouts, one of the first things it looks at is the extent of injuries sustained by victims.

The JAG takes into account the nature of the illness from the toxic chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s water.

Everything from the severity of the illness to the resulting damages will be instrumental to the JAG’s determination.

Your settlement demand will help to set a precedent for your expected settlement amount.

With the help of an attorney, a convincing claim form, and a settlement demand backed by data and evidence, you can achieve the Camp Lejeune settlement that accurately reflects your experience and damages incurred.

What Laws Apply To Camp Lejeune Settlement Amounts?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, part of the Honoring Our PACT Act, allows any person who spent 30 days or more at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune to file an administrative claim and seek financial compensation for what they’ve endured.

The Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) previously allowed victims of exposure at government sites to seek damages from the federal government.

The FTCA sets limits on the compensation that can be awarded in certain types of cases, and in many cases denied Camp Lejuene victims the compensation they deserve.

With the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, concerns over denied claims for the majority of veterans may be an afterthought.

Contact an experienced Camp Lejeune lawyer to help you with your claim and secure financial compensation for your losses.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Overview

Camp Lejeune — officially Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune — is a U.S. military training facility on the beaches of Jacksonville, North Carolina.

The location is ideal for amphibious assault training, so many members and their families are based here.

Camp Lejeune has been around since 1941, expanding over the years to accommodate more residents.

Barracks, temporary housing, family housing, and other residential structures were installed for this population growth.

During the early years, the main source of water for the base came from wells.

The same wells would become the source of health issues due to improper disposal of toxic chemicals.

Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune

For over 30 years, military personnel, their families, and staff stationed at Camp Lejeune were potentially exposed to water contaminated with volatile organic compounds, such as metal degreasers, benzene and cleaning solvents.

The effects of the contaminated drinking water weren’t immediately apparent, and people were unknowingly put at risk for many years.

The toxic substances are linked various effects on the body.

A significant number of former residents developed breast cancer, colon cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and other serious illnesses that affected their way of life in a major way.

Several children who were born to mothers exposed to volatile organic compounds also suffered birth defects and childhood cancers.

The development of illnesses in Camp Lejeune veterans and their family members prompted an investigation into the water at Camp Lejeune.

An eight-year investigation led by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) uncovered more than 48,000 pounds of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the water supply.

After the investigation, the agencies involved — including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — attributed the development of rectal and other types of cancers to these volatile organic compounds.

Those exposed to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune were at an increased risk of developing rectal and colorectal cancer.

Those impacted by Camp Lejeune water contamination are not only those stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.

Service members stationed at Marine Corps Air Station New River may have also been exposed to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other toxic substances in drinking water.

What Was the Source of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?

Besides the relationship between the contaminated water and the injuries among the Camp Lejeune residents and veterans, the investigation uncovered the source of the toxic chemicals.

According to the investigation’s findings, the toxic chemicals that contaminated the water at Camp Lejeune originated from several dumping sites and water treatment plants in and around the camp.

With the water at Camp Lejeune linked to cancer, many filed their Camp Lejeune claims to recover VA health care benefits.

Unfortunately, the Department of Veterans Affairs denied a majority of these claims.

The rampant denial of claims prompted the passing of several laws to help Camp Lejeune victims.

Toxic Chemicals in Camp Lejeune Water

The toxic water at Camp Lejeune contained various volatile organic compounds that can cause serious health conditions.

The water at Camp Lejeune contained chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE), used in industrial cleaning and degreasing operations, and benzene, found in fuels. Vinyl chloride, another contaminant, is used in making PVC plastics.

These substances, linked to various health issues, contaminated the base’s water due to leaks and improper disposal practices.

Below is a more detailed explanation of the main chemical contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune.

1. Tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC)

Tetrachloroethylene is a component of many dry cleaning agents and industrial solvents.

It has been linked to several types of cancer, including rectal and bladder cancer.

2. Trichloroethylene (TCE)

TCE is used for degreasing machines and metal parts, in dry cleaning, as an industrial solvent, and in other commercial and industrial applications.

Like tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene can cause certain types of cancer.

Some of the cancers caused by trichloroethylene include non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and kidney cancer.

Trichloroethylene can also affect the heart.

3. Vinyl Chloride

Vinyl chloride lines the surfaces of PVC pipes and wire coatings.

This chemical compound is linked to several illnesses, including liver cancer, hepatic steatosis, lung cancer, and more.

4. Benzene

Benzene appears in many substances crucial for industrial operations.

Based on a report prepared by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, benzene exposure leads to non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act: How Veterans Exposed to Toxic Water at Camp Lejeune Can Get Compensated

For a long time, the victims of Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water did not have any legal recourse or other methods to get reparation for the injuries they suffered.

Many victims died without getting any health care benefits or compensation.

Camp Lejeune veterans and their family members attempted to legislate change.

Several laws, such as the Janey Ensminger Act, Camp Lejeune Families Act, and other bills attempted to secure compensation, health care benefits, VA health care, disability compensation, and other forms of restitution.

Many of these laws failed to deliver actionable change to veterans exposed to toxic chemicals found in the water at Camp Lejeune, but they were major stepping stones to the change we see in the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act, signed into law by President Biden as part of the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, allows victims to file Camp Lejeune claims and secure financial compensation for exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

If an administrative claim is not adjudicated within six months, victims are able to file suit in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Our Camp Lejeune lawyers are here to help you file your Camp Lejeune claims and guide you through the legal process. Contact us for more information.

How The Camp Lejeune Claims Process Works

The administrative claims process to claim Camp Lejeune settlements consists of several steps.

The Camp Lejeune administrative claims process may vary due to the uniqueness of every claimant’s circumstance.

Nevertheless, most claims for Camp Lejeune settlements will consist of the following steps.

1. Claim Notification

The process begins when the JAG receives a claim notification from a person seeking to recover a Camp Lejeune settlement.

Victims must submit a claim to the Navy JAG. In the claim form, victims must include various pieces of information about their illnesses and the damages suffered.

The claim may also contain evidence of their exposure to contaminated Camp Lejeune water and medical records.

Camp Lejeune victims are able to file a claim on their own or with the help of a law firm or legal representative.

2. Investigation

The investigation conducted by the Navy JAG must happen within six months of a claim being submitted.

During this period of time, the JAG will review the claim and assess whether compensation can be delivered and if the settlement demand is an adequate reflection of the damage incurred.

The Navy JAG cannot provide legal advice and will not pay more financial compensation than is demanded on the claim form.

3. Claim Evaluation

Following the investigation, the JAG Corps will determine a claimant’s eligibility for a settlement.

4. Settlement Compensation Payout

Once the JAG deems a claimant eligible, it starts the settlement payout process.

A key step in the payout process is determining the correct Camp Lejeune settlement amounts, including considerations for VA benefits and other health care benefits if applicable.

5. Litigation (If Necessary)

Not everyone who files for a Camp Lejeune settlement recovers benefits.

For this group of claimants, the next step is litigation.

Since denied claimants will be filing lawsuits against the federal government, hiring a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer is critical.

If your Camp Lejeune claim is denied by the Navy JAG, or you have not received a response within 180 days of filing, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit in the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

The North Carolina Federal Court is handling all Camp Lejeune Lawsuits.

Do You Qualify to File a Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuit?

If you have developed colorectal cancer from the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you may be eligible to file a claim and take legal action.

As stated in the Veterans Administration release and the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, anybody who resided at the marine corps base for at least thirty (30) days, while the Camp Lejeune accident was occurring, may be eligible to file a claim.

This includes active duty and former service members, family members living on base, non-military staff, families of deceased, and even in-utero victims who were not yet born when their mother was residing at Camp Lejeune.

It’s important to note that if you were dishonorably discharged, you may not be eligible for disability benefits or disability compensation.

Families of dishonorably discharged military personnel are also not eligible to file suit or apply for benefits.

Gathering Evidence for Camp Lejeune Claims

Quality evidence is the cornerstone of any successful personal injury or mass tort case.

Evidence relating to water contamination can include a number of documents relating to your or a loved one’s time spent at the marine corps base.

Evidence in a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit may include:

• Documents proving residence at Camp Lejeune
• Military service records indicating dates and locations served
• Medical records and diagnoses
• Medical bills
• Travel records
• Health care information
• Records on disability benefits or VA compensation benefits

Hiring A Lawyer And Assessing Damages

When you have gathered pieces of key evidence, a lawyer will help you to refine your case and assess damages.

Damages are any losses, both physical and mental/emotional, that a person incurs as a result of an injury at no fault of their own.

Damages are the total amount the defendant is liable to pay to the plaintiff to compensate for the damage that they have caused.

Damages in a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit may include:

• Medical bills
• Pain and suffering
• Lost wages
• Disability benefits
• Loss of companionship, consortium, enjoyment of life, and earning capacity
• Permanent disability

Determining Liability

Camp Lejeune Lawyers will also establish liability in the case.

In a Camp Lejeune contamination case, the liable parties or defendants may include, but are not limited to:

• The federal government
• Other governmental or regulatory agencies
• Businesses that may have contributed to tainted water supplies
• Any other person or group that acted in a negligent manner that contributed to an injury or diagnosis

TorHoerman Law: Your Camp Lejeune Attorneys

With the Senate passage of the PACT Act, and the final signature of the bill into law by President Biden, Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits are able to be filed by any person exposed to contaminated water at the Marine Corps base between 1953 and 1987.

If you or a loved one was exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune between these dates, and meet other certain criteria, you may qualify to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation or use the chatbot on our website for a free case evaluation to see if you qualify instantly.

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Our law firm is dedicated to achieving justice for service members and their families.