Do you have a potential Camp Lejeune gallbladder cancer lawsuit or wrongful death claim? Between 1953 and 1987, nearly one million veterans and civilians were unknowingly exposed to industrial solvents and toxic chemicals that leaked into the marine base’s drinking water at perilous levels.
The lethal health risks of these contaminants were not revealed until years later, and past residents of Camp Lejeune still suffer injuries in the form of assorted cancers and other diseases. Many have passed away. All are now entitled to restitution.
If you spent time on the base during the period of exposure and have since been diagnosed with cancer of the gallbladder, you may now qualify to take legal action against the U.S. Government in the form of a Camp Lejeune gallbladder cancer lawsuit.
This long-overdue relief is due to new federal legislation called the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, a.k.a. CLJA. This is a civil action, meaning it is outside the Veterans Administration (VA).
To take on the CLJA claims process, you will want to speak with a knowledgeable Camp Lejeune gallbladder cancer lawyer. We represent those harmed by this tragedy and are prepared to help you immediately. Call Marc Whitehead & Associates today at 800-569-9830 for a free claim evaluation.
If you’re concerned that you may not have the right evidence or records, please call. We can help you gather the information you need and get your claim on track. Our attorneys will help build your case with sufficient evidence to gain the total compensation your family deserves.
What Is Gallbladder Cancer (GBC)?
The gallbladder is a small organ in the digestive system. It sits deep within the abdomen beneath the liver.
The liver produces bile, a solution that helps digest fats. The biliary tract includes the gallbladder and bile ducts. Ducts from the liver carry bile to the small intestine and also to the gallbladder for storage.
Gallbladder cancer occurs when cancer cells form in the tissues lining the gallbladder. GBC is severe but rare. Even so, gallbladder cancer represents almost half of all biliary tract cancer cases.
Did the Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune Cause Gallbladder Cancer?
For decades, military personnel, family members, and civilians bathed in and ingested tap water polluted with harmful chemicals at high concentrations. A Camp Lejeune gallbladder cancer lawsuit will focus on your exposure to dangerous solvents and chemicals that fouled three of the marine base’s water distribution plants – Hadnot Point, Tarawa Terrace, and Holcomb Boulevard.
Military personnel, their family members, and civilians who lived and worked at the Jacksonville, NC, marine base from 1953 to 1987 were exposed to numerous cancer-causing chemicals. Contaminants that may be linked to gallbladder cancer include:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
- Vinyl Chloride
- 1,2-Dichloroethane
- Methylene Chloride (dichloromethane)
- Benzene
- Almost seventy (70) other toxic substances
Our attorneys handle Camp Lejeune gallbladder cancer lawsuits and settlements nationwide. We are monitoring existing and forthcoming data that link exposure to these chemicals in the base’s water with gallbladder and biliary tract cancer.
Gallbladder Cancer and Exposure to Trichloroethylene (TCE) and Methylene Chloride
A 1997 study examines the relationship between exposure to various organic solvents and types of cancer. Evidence showed an increased risk of cancer of the liver and biliary tract following exposure to trichloroethylene(TCE). The same study indicated a higher risk of liver and biliary tract cancers in the group with high exposure to methylene chloride.
Gallbladder Cancer and Vinyl Chloride Exposure
One primary contaminant in the water was vinyl chloride. It is a manufactured, colorless gas produced only through industrial use. According to the National Cancer Institute, vinyl chloride is a known carcinogen. Exposure is linked to an increased risk of hepatic angiosarcoma (a form of liver cancer), brain and lung cancers, lymphoma, and leukemia.
One mortality study entitled “Liver and biliary tract cancer among chemical workers” reports data from a chemical plant in Michigan that sustained excessive deaths related to liver and biliary tract cancer. An association was made to vinyl chloride exposure based on five cases with presumed exposure.
Symptoms of Gallbladder Cancer
Symptoms and signs of gallbladder cancer often don’t appear until the later stages, when the cancer is advanced, and the prognosis is poor. It’s important to note that most patients with gall bladder cancer have a history of gallstones. Symptoms include:
- Pain, typically in the mid to upper-right section of the abdomen
- Nausea or vomiting
- Abdominal lumps
- Digestive problems, such as acid reflux and gas
- Fever or chills
- Chronic diarrhea
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bile duct blockage, also called biliary obstruction, in patients with gallbladder cancer is often an indicator of advanced-stage gallbladder cancer, often causing the following symptoms:
- Jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes
- Light-colored stool
- Discolored (dark) urine
Are You Eligible to File a Camp Lejeune Gallbladder Cancer Case?
The newly enacted Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) permits individuals who suffered illnesses or lost loved ones due to the toxic water to file a civil lawsuit against the federal government. As a plaintiff, you can agree to a settlement payout or file a civil lawsuit seeking a verdict.
You may be eligible for a Camp Lejeune gallbladder cancer lawsuit by meeting the following criteria:
- You lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987. This includes children who were exposed in the womb;
- You spent a minimum of 30 days on base (days need not be consecutive);
- You developed gallbladder cancer due to exposure to the contaminated water.
If you believe your cancer is linked to exposure to contaminated water, contact us now to be sure your rights are protected. You may be entitled to significant compensation, and we are here to represent you through the entire process.
How to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit for Gallbladder Cancer
Your CLJA claim must comply with the following filing process:
- First, you must file an administrative claim with the Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the Navy’s Tort Claims Unit
- The Navy has six months to respond to your claim. JAG will either accept that your claim is valid and offer you a settlement – or – it will deny your administrative claim.
- If JAG denies your claim, you have six months from the date the denial notice is mailed in which to file a Camp Lejeune gallbladder cancer lawsuit under the Act.
- All CLJA lawsuits will be filed in the Federal Courts of the Eastern District of North Carolina.
- There is a two-year statute of limitations on Camp Lejeune claims. This means you cannot file a lawsuit after August 10, 2024 – or – six months after your administrative claim is denied, whichever is later.
Documentary evidence, often going back decades, must be located and validated. A Camp Lejeune gallbladder cancer lawyer at Marc Whitehead & Associates can help you obtain the following:
- Proof of your time spent at camp Lejeune, for example military service records including dates and locations, Marine Corps base camp housing records, civilian work records, residence history, and birth certificate
- Marriage license
- Documentation of diagnosis, medical records, and treatment
- Health care expenses
- Supportive travel records
- Veterans’ disability compensation benefits
- In some cases, you will need to obtain copies of records proving your parents or family members were at Camp Lejeune
- Expert witness testimony
Compensation for a Camp Lejeune Gallbladder Cancer Injury Claim
Generally speaking, the more severe (or fatal) the cancer, the greater the potential for significant financial compensation.
An experienced disability lawsuit lawyer will consider various elements to refine your case and assess damages for appropriate compensation, including:
- The extent and severity of the cancer
- Medical costs (past, ongoing, and future)
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering (mental and physical)
- Loss of enjoyment of life, loss of companionship
- Disability
If a loved one was lost due to exposure to Camp Lejeune water, compensation for medical expenses, burial costs, lost benefits, and more in a wrongful death claim may be sought. Our attorneys can represent you in every matter.
Contact Us about a Camp Lejeune Gallbladder Cancer Lawsuit
These are complex cases. While scientific studies are ongoing, CLJA gallbladder cancer claims may be challenging to prove for causation. We urge you to contact us today if you were harmed by the marine base’s polluted water supply.
Your initial consultation with our firm is complimentary and without obligation. We are here to give you honest, reliable answers to your questions. If you choose us as your legal team, we will fight for your due compensation with all our might so that you receive the full damages you deserve.
