Camp Lejeune Toxic Waters Cause Bladder Cancer: Can the Elective Option Help?

Everyone is aware of the crisis caused by the toxic waters at Camp Lejeune. It was in 1982 that the Marine Corps identified VOCs (volatile organic compounds) present in the drinking water that came from two of the eight water treatment plants located at the base.

The water sourced from these plants was contaminated by the PCE. It resulted from the poor waste disposal practices followed by ABC One-Hour Cleaners, a dry-cleaning firm located off-base. The ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry) took a modeling approach and data analysis to reconstruct the contaminant concentrations.

The agency found that the PCE concentrations exceeded the present EPA levels for the chemicals in the water that were sourced from Tarawa Terrace water treatment. The duration of the contamination lasted from 1953 to 1987. Most of the contaminated water had been shut down by February 1985.

The toxic waters affected the civilians and service members who stayed and worked in this region. There were physical discomforts that affected the quality of life of the veterans in this area. One of the prominent health issues that affects many people is bladder cancer.

In this article, we will discuss this and the symptoms of the ailment. Additionally, we will also find out whether the ‘Elective Option’ can prove to be a legal remedy for the victims.

Understanding Bladder Cancer

One of the many ailments that veterans and their family members suffered from because of the polluted Camp Lejeune water is bladder cancer. This chronic ailment starts when the bladder cells start growing disproportionately. The relative survival rate for 5 years is 77%. Of all the new cancer cases for the Camp Lejeune toxic water lawsuit, bladder cancer contributes 4.2%.

The symptoms of this ailment might vary from one person to another. One of the predominant signs is having blood in the urine. It can be challenging for a person to notice blood traces with the bare eye, and a medical test is required to verify the same. Another symptom might be getting the urge to urinate during the night rather frequently. People face pain and a burning sensation during urination.

The dangerous aspect of this disease is that bladder cancer might spread beyond the bladder and become more severe. Some people might also feel very tired and have acute abdomen pain. Other symptoms can include:

• Sudden weight loss
• Swollen feet
• Losing appetite
• Lower back pain
• Pain on one side of the body
• Tenderness or pain in the bone

There are times when urinary tract infections or bladder cancer might pose similar symptoms. However, if you or anyone you know who has resided in Camp Lejeune during the contamination period faces these symptoms, it’s vital to get a medical diagnosis.

Treating Bladder Cancer

Common ways to treat bladder cancer are through radiation, surgery, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, and various other targeted treatments. The treatment choices will be offered based on the stage in which the cancer is and other diagnoses related to it. In specific cases, additional treatment, such as chemotherapy, might not be conducted before the surgery.

Maybe preoperative treatment can reduce the mass while minimizing the tissue that should be removed during the surgery. On the other hand, there can be cases where the surgery might take place first, and the probable treatment might be conducted before the recovery.

Can the Elective Option Help Bladder Cancer Patients?

To help Camp Lejeune veterans who have suffered from ailments because of the toxic waters, the U.S. Navy and the DOJ (Department of Justice) have come up with the Elective Option. It is a payout process that puts importance on resolving the Camp Lejeune claims so that the number of claims moving to the court is minimized. Even though this option might prove to be useful for many, it is necessary to get in touch with a lawyer to make the correct decision.

TorHoerman Law states that a lawyer will help determine the probable payout for a bladder cancer lawsuit. If there is a chance of the victims receiving more money through the conventional lawsuit procedure, they should opt for it. However, with unknown delays and the urgency of the settlement amount, the ‘Elective Option’ seems to be the best option.

Furthermore, the lawyer will help the victim file their claim and also review settlement offers. You or your loved one might have suffered from bladder cancer, survived it, or even passed away. Even then, you can seek fair compensation. According to the CLJA (Camp Lejeune Justice Act), victims have a two-year period to file their claims. Based on this timeline, the last date for filing claims is August 10, 2024.

In conclusion, the veterans, civilians, and their relatives and family members have suffered because of the presence of toxic chemicals in the waters at Camp Lejeune. Bladder cancer has shown up as a prominent ailment in many veterans who are still awaiting legal assistance and settlement. The ‘Elective Option’ does seem to be useful, but victims should arrive at the final decision after consulting a lawyer.