How Camp Lejeune Is Connected to Multiple Myeloma
Over a million people were exposed to drinking water at Camp Lejeune that contained toxic chemicals from 1953 to 1987. Many of the service members, civilian workers, and residents during this time period later developed cancer, including multiple myeloma.
When someone has multiple myeloma, cancerous white blood cells called plasma cells build up in their bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. This can lead to an increased risk of infection, as well as symptoms such as bone pain, weight loss, fatigue, nausea, and general weakness.
Multiple myeloma can be devastating, but help may be just around the corner. If you or a loved one served at Camp Lejeune and later developed multiple myeloma, compensation might be available. Call (866) 473-4764 or learn how to file a Camp Lejeune water claim right now.
Multiple Myeloma and Toxic Camp Lejeune Chemicals
In the 1980s, the nearby water treatment plants of Camp Lejeune’s Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace were found to have high levels of some very toxic chemicals. These chemicals had been in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune for decades by that point.
Chemicals that had contaminated Camp Lejeune’s water included TCE (trichloroethylene), PCE (perchloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene), vinyl chloride, and benzene.
These chemicals are considered volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are carcinogenic (cancer-causing).
TCE and benzene are associated with a higher risk of multiple myeloma, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). Additional studies note that VCE exposure can also increase the risk of multiple myeloma.
Other Types of Cancer Caused by Camp Lejeune
Multiple myeloma is far from the only health problem linked to the water supply at Camp Lejeune since the 1980s.
Health conditions linked to Camp Lejeune’s water include:
- Aplastic anemia
- Birth defects
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Infertility
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Prostate cancer
- Sarcoma
Anyone who suffers from one of these types of cancers or other health effects after spending time at Camp Lejeune during the contamination period may be eligible for a lawsuit against the federal government.
For a free case evaluation to discuss your eligibility, contact us today.
Can You File a Camp Lejeune Multiple Myeloma Lawsuit?
Possibly, yes. You may be able to file a Camp Lejeune multiple myeloma lawsuit if you spent at least 30 days at the base from 1953 to 1987 and later developed this type of cancer.
Unfortunately, many of the people who developed multiple myeloma from the water supply at Camp Lejeune have already passed away. Thankfully, family members of former Camp Lejeune residents who are now deceased may be eligible to file a claim on their loved one’s behalf.
“Filing for relief under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 won’t affect your eligibility for VA disability or health care benefits.”
-U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Eligibility for Camp Lejeune Multiple Myeloma Cases
To file a Camp Lejeune multiple myeloma case, you must have:
- Spent at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987
- Developed multiple myeloma since leaving Camp Lejeune
- Not received a dishonorable discharge from the military
A knowledgeable Camp Lejeune lawyer can help you determine whether you qualify for a multiple myeloma lawsuit if you are unsure of your eligibility. For help, call (866) 473-4764 now.
Evidence in Camp Lejeune Multiple Myeloma Claims
In order for a Camp Lejeune multiple myeloma claim or lawsuit to be successful, certain forms of documented evidence will be needed.
Some of the most important documents that will be needed for a Camp Lejeune case are medical records of the official diagnosis and for any treatment that followed. It’s also helpful to have financial records that show how much the diagnosis and treatment cost.
These costs are incredibly important as they help determine the person’s potential settlement amount if the claim is valid.
Anyone filing a Camp Lejeune claim will also need documentation that shows they were present at the Camp for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987. This can include employment records, military service records, or housing records.
What’s the Deadline for Filing a Camp Lejeune Cancer Lawsuit?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 was recently passed by the Biden Administration to allow veterans and family members affected by Camp Lejeune to file lawsuits.
With this act, people have until August of 2024 to file compensation claims for Camp Lejeune-related multiple myeloma or other health problems. Don’t miss the deadline: File your Camp Lejeune claim now.
Camp Lejeune Multiple Myeloma Settlements
At this time, no settlements have been reached for Camp Lejeune-related multiple myeloma since the Camp Lejeune Justice Act went into effect. However, the Camp Lejeune Claims Center will provide more up-to-date information as the first cases reach settlements.
Overall, the federal government expects to pay over $21 billion dollars to Camp Lejeune victims.
Damages in Camp Lejeune Multiple Myeloma Lawsuits
No two Camp Lejeune multiple myeloma lawsuits will be identical. For example, one claim could be filed by a living person with this cancer and in another, a family could pursue a case after a victim has passed. Thus, the damages (what someone is suing over) can vary greatly.
Potential damages people may claim in Camp Lejeune lawsuits include:
- Emergency medical care
- Long-term medical care
- Loss of income and/or future wages
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that is often fatal, so many of the Camp Lejeune lawsuits involving multiple myeloma will involve wrongful deaths. Which damages are named in your particular Camp Lejeune lawsuits can greatly affect your settlement payout.
Get Help With a Camp Lejeune Multiple Myeloma Case
Working with the right Camp Lejeune attorney or personal injury lawyer can make all the difference when it comes to a successful claim or lawsuit for multiple myeloma.
Contact us right away when you are ready to determine your eligibility through a free consultation and get started on your Camp Lejeune toxic water case.
Camp Lejeune Multiple Myeloma FAQs
Who qualifies to file a Camp Lejeune multiple myeloma lawsuit?
You may qualify to file a Camp Lejeune multiple myeloma lawsuit if you developed this cancer after spending at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987.
You may also be able to file on behalf of a loved one that served at Camp Lejeune if they passed away from multiple myeloma.
Do Camp Lejeune cases affect VA benefits?
You do not have to worry about your health care or disability benefits being affected if you are one of the many veterans who got sick from Camp Lejeune’s water.
In addition to having your health care and disability benefits protected, filing a Camp Lejeune water contamination case may earn you an additional payout and/or disability compensation.
How did Camp Lejeune water lead to multiple myeloma?
The chemicals found in the water at Camp Lejeune — benzene, TCE, PCE, and vinyl chloride — are known to be carcinogens that cause various kinds of cancer.
Multiple myeloma is one of the original eight presumptive conditions that was recognized as having a direct relation to the toxic chemicals found in the Camp Lejeune water supply.
How much could I get for a Camp Lejeune cancer claim?
At this time, no Camp Lejeune multiple myeloma settlements have been reached yet, so there are no average compensation estimates. That said, you or your family could receive a high amount of compensation depending on the circumstances.
Further, cases that involve a wrongful death or extensive medical care over many years may call for higher settlement amounts.
