[2024 Update] Camp Lejeune Liver Disease Lawsuit

Liver Disease Linked to Contaminated Drinking Water at Camp Lejeune

Camp Lejeune water contamination has been linked to a number of adverse health effects, including the risk of liver disease.

Residents at the Marine Corps base — including active-duty personnel, National Guard members, their family members, civilian workers, and others — experienced symptoms ranging from jaundice, fatigue, and abdominal pain — the hallmark symptoms of liver disease.

Reports of health conditions in Camp Lejeune residents prompted investigations into the water supply at Camp Lejeune.

Various agencies looked into the water at Camp Lejeune for potential traces of water contamination.

The findings made by agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) found more than 70 hazardous chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune.

The four main contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune were:

• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
• Benzene
• Vinyl chloride

All of these chemicals are known to cause various illnesses.

Liver disease is one of the illnesses caused by these volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

About Liver Disease

Liver diseases cover a wide range of disorders.

These illnesses affect the liver, which is a key organ for many vital processes.

The liver is responsible for detoxification, ridding the body of harmful chemicals.

It’s also responsible for metabolism and the production of proteins for blood clotting.

Any liver disease will impair the liver’s ability to eliminate toxic substances from the body, produce energy, and produce clotting factors.

As a result, a person with liver disease may experience fatigue and bruise easily.

In the worst-case scenario, liver diseases can lead to profuse bleeding due to the absence of clotting factors.

There are several types of liver diseases:

• Cirrhosis (liver scars)
• Hepatitis (A, B, and C)
• Liver cancers

Liver Disease and Exposure to Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune

Various studies have linked VOCs to liver disease, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed TCE and PCE, two of the major contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune, as liver-harming VOCs.

A 2018 study from researchers at the Department of Health & Human Services examined VOCs and their links to decreased liver function.

Based on the study’s findings, VOCs like TCE and PCE can aggravate existing liver injuries, causing further deterioration in liver function.

The National Toxicology Program released a report on the development of liver diseases and exposure to VOCs like vinyl chloride.

According to the National Toxicology Program’s report, vinyl chloride is one of the VOCs linked to a rare form of liver cancer called hepatic angiosarcoma.

The National Cancer Institute agrees with the findings and adds that vinyl chloride also predisposes a person to develop primary liver tumors.

If you’ve developed any liver disease and were exposed to the contaminated Camp Lejeune water between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible to join others filing Camp Lejeune lawsuits.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also find out if you qualify for the Camp Lejeune litigation by using the chatbot on this page.

Other Potential Causes of Liver Disease

Liver disease could be a secondary condition of other health conditions linked to water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

Other potential causes of liver disease and failure include:

• Alcohol Consumption:  Chronic and excessive alcohol intake can lead to alcoholic liver disease.
• Viral Infections:  Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E can cause inflammation and damage to the liver.
• Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD):  Accumulation of fat in the liver unrelated to alcohol consumption, and another health problem linked to Camp Lejeune water contamination.
• Autoimmune Diseases:  Conditions like autoimmune hepatitis, where the body’s immune system attacks liver cells.
• Genetics:  Genetic disorders such as Wilson’s disease or hemochromatosis can lead to liver damage.
• Toxins and Drugs:  Overdose of medications like acetaminophen or long-term exposure to certain toxins.
• Bile Duct Diseases:  Conditions like primary biliary cirrhosis or primary sclerosing cholangitis that affect the bile ducts.
• Cirrhosis:  Scarring of the liver tissue due to various causes, which can lead to liver failure.
• Liver Cancers:  Tumors or cancers that originate in or spread to the liver.
• Gallstones:  Can block bile ducts, affecting liver function.
• Parasitic Infections:  Such as schistosomiasis, which can affect the liver.
• Certain Medications:  Some drugs, like methotrexate or isoniazid, can cause liver damage.
• Budd-Chiari Syndrome:  A rare condition where blood clots form in the liver’s veins.
• Cystic Diseases:  Polycystic liver disease, where fluid-filled sacs form in the liver.
• Excessive Iron or Copper in the Body:  Can lead to conditions like hemochromatosis and Wilson’s disease.

Liver Disease Complications

Liver diseases can lead to various complications, depending on their severity and progression.

Some possible complications of liver diseases include:

• Cirrhosis:  If chronic liver diseases are untreated, they can lead to cirrhosis, which is characterized by extensive scarring of liver tissue. Cirrhosis can result in liver failure and its associated symptoms, including jaundice, fluid retention, confusion, and bleeding disorders.
• Liver Cancer:  Chronic liver inflammation and cirrhosis increase the risk of developing liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).
• Portal Hypertension:  Scarring in the liver can cause increased pressure in the portal vein, leading to complications like esophageal varices (swollen blood vessels in the esophagus) and ascites (fluid accumulation in the abdomen).
• Liver Failure:  In severe cases, liver diseases can progress to acute or chronic liver failure, where the liver can no longer perform its vital functions. This condition can be life-threatening and may necessitate a liver transplant.

Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Overview

The drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with toxic chemicals for over 30 years, and victims exposed to these chemicals have suffered from debilitating health problems without any relief.

Past legislation, such as the Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012, allowed victims to seek expanded VA health care benefits, VA disability benefits, and other forms of relief, but it was not comprehensive enough and many victims’ claims were denied unfairly.

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, signed into law as part of the PACT Act, allows victims to file compensation claims against the federal government for exposure to Camp Lejeune water contamination.

The CLJA established the Camp Lejeune administrative claims process, in which victims demand a certain amount of compensation for their illnesses and damages.

The Navy’s Tort Claims Unit (TCU) will promptly review compensation claims and deliver a decision on compensation.

If the Navy TCU denies a victim’s claim, or fails to adjudicate a claim within six months, victims may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit in federal court, specifically the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Since this Act was passed, thousands of active-duty personnel, National Guard members, and their family members have filed Camp Lejeune claims, and others have initiated Camp Lejeune Lawsuits in the Eastern District of North Carolina.

If you or a loved one were exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you are eligible to file a Camp Lejeune claim instantly.

Health Problems Linked to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination

Contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune has been linked to a number of health conditions, including several fatal health problems that have taken the lives of Camp Lejeune veterans and their family members.

Certain cancer diagnoses potentially linked to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune include:

• Bladder Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
• Kidney Cancer
• Leukemia
• Lung Cancer
• Multiple Myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Prostate Cancer
• Colorectal Cancer
• Rectal Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Central Nervous System Cancer
• Myelodysplastic Syndromes
• Brain Cancer
• Cervical Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Appendix Cancer
• Bile Duct Cancer
• Gallbladder Cancer
• Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
• Intestinal Cancer
• Sinus Cancer
• Soft Tissue Sarcoma
• Spinal Cancer
• Thyroid Cancer

Non-cancer diagnoses suffered by Camp Lejeune victims include:

• Hepatic Steatosis
• Miscarriage & Fetal Death
• Neurobehavioral Effects
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Aplastic Anemia
• Kidney Disease
• Scleroderma
• ALS
• Lupus
• Epilepsy
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Cardiac Birth Defects
• Infertility
• Renal Toxicity
• Autoimmune Disease
• Birth Defects
• Liver Disease
• Cognitive Disability
• Microcephaly
• Renal Disease
• Tooth Decay
• Hypersensitive Skin Disorder
• Nerve Damage
• Oral Cleft

Camp Lejeune victims went years without any form of relief or restitution for exposure, health problems, and wrongful deaths linked to water contamination at Camp Lejeune.

With the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, victims diagnosed with health conditions linked to the water contamination can pursue compensation claims.

What Caused Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune?

The contamination of Camp Lejeune’s water came from different places.

The VOCs in the camp’s water emanated from underground tanks, hazardous waste sites, and more, seeping into two of eight water treatment facilities in and around the camp.

A major source of Camp Lejeune water contamination was an off-base dry cleaning business that disposed toxic substances like TCE and PCE improperly, resulting in the contamination of water treatment plants that served the Marine Corps base.

As a result, the water that people at the base used for homes and buildings had harmful substances in it.

These substances include hazardous chemicals, many of which are identified as carcinogens.

What Toxic Substances Were Found in the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune?

The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), and other authoritative organizations, identified over 70 toxic substances in the water at Camp Lejeune.

Of these chemicals, the VA, EPA, and ATSDR identified four to be the most disease-causing and in the highest concentrations.

The main toxic chemicals or VOCs found in the water at Camp Lejeune were:

• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
• Benzene
• Vinyl chloride

Do You Qualify To File a Camp Lejeune Claim?

Camp Lejeune victims are filing claims against the government for long-awaited compensation.

The Camp Lejeune claims process can be daunting for those unfamiliar with the Camp Lejeune Justice Act and what is required by those filing.

Experienced law firms and Camp Lejeune lawyers can help victims file claims, secure a Camp Lejeune settlement, or pursue Camp Lejeune litigation if necessary.

If you or a loved one were exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

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

Experienced Camp Lejeune attorneys can help victims gather evidence and calculate damages for their claims.

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

Assessing Damages for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Claims

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

TorHoerman Law: Your Camp Lejeune Lawyers

Liver disease is no small matter and can have lasting effects on your quality of life.

You deserve to seek justice from the parties who caused your illness.

If you’ve been diagnosed with liver disease due to exposure to Camp Lejeune’s water, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.

If you or a loved one were exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more between 1953 and 1987, you may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit instantly.

Camp Lejeune victims deserve a fair and adequate Camp Lejeune settlement, and our lawyers are here to help them through the entire process.

Reach out to our Camp Lejeune lawyers for any questions you may have about the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, Camp Lejeune administrative claims process, Camp Lejeune Lawsuits, and more.

We are here to help you seek justice.