Talk To a Lawyer About Filing a Claim for Kidney Cancer Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022
Each year, tens of thousands of people are diagnosed with kidney cancer. Tragically, between one in four and one in five kidney cancer diagnoses prove fatal. While there are several health-related risk factors for kidney cancer, this potentially fatal disease can also result from exposure to toxic chemicals in some cases. For example, several people have been diagnosed with kidney cancer as a result of exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina from the 1950s through the 1980s.
What Are the Signs of Kidney Cancer Caused By Toxic Exposure at Camp Lejeune?
The early symptoms of kidney cancer caused by toxic exposure are similar to those for other causes of the disease. As outlined by the CDC, potential signs of kidney cancer include:
- Blood in the urine
- Swelling or a noticeable lump in the area around the kidneys
- Persistent lower back or side pain
- Persistent fatigue
- Recurring fever
- Loss of appetite
- Unexplained weight loss
As the CDC clarifies, “[a] person with kidney . . . cancer may or may not have one or more of the symptoms listed.” As a result, the CDC recommends seeing a doctor if you have any of these symptoms—particularly if you experience these symptoms in the years or decades following exposure to contaminated water.
What Chemicals Can Cause Kidney Cancer?
Studies have linked several toxic chemicals to kidney cancer. While the specific cause of kidney cancer remains unknown, there is strong correlative evidence to suggest that exposure to these chemicals—even for a relatively short period of time—can increase individuals’ risk of cancer significantly. Toxic chemicals that have been linked to kidney cancer include:
- Benzene
- Perchloroethylene
- Trichloroethylene
- Vinyl chloride
Notably, all of these chemicals were found in the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers studied the water in the late 1980s. As a result of the decades of exposure at Camp Lejeune, the federal government has estimated that a million or more individuals may be at heightened risk for kidney cancer and other potentially fatal health conditions as a result of spending time at the base in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
What Compensation is Available to Patients and Families Affected By Kidney Cancer Caused By Toxic Exposure at Camp Lejeune?
Individuals who have been diagnosed with kidney cancer following exposure to benzene, perchloroethylene, trichloroethylene, or vinyl chloride at Camp Lejeune may be entitled to full financial compensation for the costs of their disease. This includes compensation for both financial costs (i.e., medical costs and lost income) and non-financial costs (i.e., pain and suffering). In 2022, Congress enacted the Camp Lejeune Justice Act specifically to provide a path to financial recovery for those affected by the Marine Corps base’s contaminated water.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 also protects families that have lost loved ones to kidney cancer caused by toxic exposure. If you have lost a loved one who was exposed to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, you should speak with a lawyer about your family’s legal rights.
Regardless of your specific circumstances, if you have reason to suspect that your (or a loved one’s) kidney cancer may have been caused by exposure to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune, you should consult with a lawyer promptly. You may be entitled to significant financial compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, and securing this compensation could be essential for your health and your family’s financial stability.
Speak with a Lawyer About Filing a Kidney Cancer Claim Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022
To find out if you have a kidney cancer claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation at Martin & Jones, PLLC. To speak with an experienced lawyer about your legal rights in confidence, please call 855-941-1975 or tell us how we can reach you online today.
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