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If You or a Loved One Has Been Diagnosed with Leukemia After Spending Time at Camp Lejeune, You Should Talk to a Lawyer About Your Rights

Leukemia is a serious type of cancer that, tragically, often proves fatal. As a blood cancer, leukemia can spread quickly throughout the body, and, as a result, the five-year survival rate for adults is only about 40 percent. Similar to other types of cancer, there is currently no known cure for leukemia, and while therapies and other treatments can lead to remission in some cases, delays in diagnosis can significantly increase the risk of premature death. Unfortunately, many individuals have been diagnosed with leukemia as a result of their exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between the 1950s and 1980s.

Understanding the Link Between Leukemia and Camp Lejeune’s Contaminated Water

Leukemia has a variety of potential causes. Along with genetic conditions and other common causes such as smoking, leukemia can also result from exposure to contaminated water.

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has recently recognized that the contaminants in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune from the 1950s through the 1980s are likely responsible for many veterans, contractors and family members’ leukemia diagnoses. The water at Camp Lejeune had extremely high levels of several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for decades, and the government failed to address the issue for years after its discovery. As a result, Congress enacted the Camp Lejeune Justice Act in 2022, and individuals and families affected by leukemia diagnoses following time spent at Camp Lejeune can now seek compensation above and beyond VA benefits.

What Are the Early Signs of Leukemia Caused By Contaminated Water?

Since leukemia can spread quickly through the body’s blood cells, a prompt diagnosis can be critical for maximizing the efficacy of treatment and mitigating the risk of mortality. Unfortunately, many patients’ diagnoses come too late. When a patient presents with any combination of the following symptoms, the patient’s doctor should perform a comprehensive differential diagnosis to either confirm or rule out the possibility of leukemia–especially when the patient reports having been exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune:

• Anemia
• Bleeding or bruising easily
• Bone or joint pain
• Chills
• Fever (often causing night sweats)
• Frequent infections
• Loss of appetite or unexplained weight loss
• Red spots under the skin
• Swollen lymph nodes
• Tender liver or spleen

What Are the Effects of Leukemia Caused By Contaminated Water?

Leukemia can have a variety of effects, and many patients will experience these effects for the rest of their lives. Additionally, for many patients, these effects will worsen as their cancer progresses, and the effects of their cancer will eventually become debilitating. As identified by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, potential long-term and late effects of leukemia include:  

• Cognitive effects (often caused by chemotherapy and radiation therapy)
• Psychological effects (including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder)
• Physical effects (these effects can vary widely, from vision and hearing loss to loss of bone density)
• Heart and lung problems (including acute respiratory distress, lung failure, and heart failure)
• Peripheral neuropathy, thyroid problems, and other health complications (these may be caused by leukemia or a patient’s chemotherapy and radiation therapy)

As noted above, leukemia proves fatal in many cases. While the overall five-year survival rate is approximately 66 percent, this reflects a significantly higher survival rate for children and minors. While the fatality rate of leukemia drops slightly each year, leukemia remains responsible for tens of thousands of deaths in the United States annually.

What Compensation is Available to Leukemia Patients and Their Families?

If you have a claim based on toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to significant financial compensation for your (or your loved one’s) leukemia. The financial and non-financial costs of a life-altering cancer diagnosis can be substantial, and eligible claimants will be able to recover compensation for all of these costs in many cases. Enacted in 2022, the federal Camp Lejeune Justice Act provides a clear path to recovery for veterans, contractors, and their families who spent time at the base in Jacksonville, North Carolina, between 1953 and 1987. When you contact us, our lawyers will thoroughly assess your legal rights, and if you have a claim, we will work with you to seek maximum compensation on your behalf.

Find Out if You Have a Claim for Your (or Your Loved One’s) Leukemia Diagnosis Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act

To find out if you have a claim for your (or your loved one’s) leukemia diagnosis under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, please contact us to arrange a complimentary consultation. To speak with an experienced lawyer in confidence, call 855-941-1975 or send us your contact information online today.

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