Breast cancer claims

processing claims for over 50 years

Every year, 264,000 women and 2,400 men receive a breast cancer diagnosis in the United States. As is the case of most cancers, the exact cause of the disease is unknown, but medical researchers have found many risk factors for breast cancer, including aging, hormone replacement therapy, and obesity. Still, a more obscure contributing factor to breast cancer, both in men and women, is toxic exposure. Veterans who were stationed at military bases have a high risk of developing breast cancer, as these facilities abounded in harmful substances during the last century. Likewise, civilian and military firefighters are more prone to getting breast cancer due to their frequent use of the fire suppressant AFFF. Some of the chemicals from the PFAS group were found to have a significant association with breast cancer. If you have this diagnosis as a veteran, someone who spent time on military bases, or a firefighter, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with our attorneys, as you might be entitled to compensation.

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High blood concentrations of PFDoA increase the risk of breast cancer by 13 times

There are over 700 military bases across the country where environmental contamination occurred. Some of the dangerous chemicals lurking on these installations were solvents. Benzene, methylene chloride, styrene, and vinyl chloride have been shown to cause breast tumors in mice. According to a study from Environmental Science and Pollution Research, there is a significant connection between workplace exposure to organic solvents and breast cancer. This can be comparable with the situation of service members stationed on polluted military bases, as they would have regular contact with solvents.

Furthermore, exposure to certain toxic metals also increases breast cancer risk. Mercury is one of these metals, as it has estrogen-simulating properties and can promote the proliferation of breast cancer cells. The main mechanisms for metal carcinogenicity are:

  • interference with cellular redox regulation
  • induction of oxidative stress
  • inhibition of major DNA repair
  • deregulation of cell proliferation

The chemicals PFAS were also present on the vast majority of military bases nationwide. Once in the body, they act as endocrine disruptors. This means that PFAS interfere with the normal functioning of the hormonal system, being able to eventually lead to breast cancer both in women and men. PFDoA has a particularly strong association with breast cancer. If you are a veteran who struggles with breast cancer and want to file a toxic exposure claim, you will have to meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • you must have been discharged from the military other than dishonorably
  • you must have been exposed to toxic substances on the military base
  • you must have a diagnosis of breast cancer linked to toxic exposure

To properly assess your case, our experienced attorneys will also need your military records, which you must retrieve, and your medical records. As a family member of a veteran who spent time with them at a contaminated military base, you can also file a toxic exposure claim. We will request evidence of your stay at the facility and your medical records. Once we deem you eligible, we will begin preparing your claim for submission. Veterans will also have their claims filed with the VA for disability compensation.

Eligibility requirements for veterans and family members who want to file a Camp Lejeune toxic water claim

For nearly 35 years, the drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated with volatile organic compounds, including trichloroethylene, perchloroethylene, benzene, 1,2-dichloroethylene, and vinyl chloride. Moreover, tremendous PFAS concentrations also lurked in the drinking water. A study by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry found that solvent exposure might possibly accelerate the onset of male breast cancer. If you have breast cancer, either as a man or woman, and intend to file a Camp Lejeune toxic water claim, here are the eligibility criteria you have to meet:

  • you must have been discharged from the military other than dishonorably
  • you must have drunk toxic water at Camp Lejeune for a significant time
  • you must have stayed at the military base for at least 30 consecutive days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987
  • you must have a breast cancer diagnosis that is related to toxic exposure

The family members of veterans who lived at Camp Lejeune can also file a claim if they developed breast cancer. Our legal team will need proof of their stay at the military base and their medical records. If we determine that you are eligible, we will start preparing your claim for submission as soon as possible. It is important to note that lead, one of the most harmful metals, was also present in the drinking water at Camp Lejeune in a concentration of 484 ppb when the safe exposure limit is only 5 ppb.

The most prominent cancer for female firefighters who use AFFF is breast cancer

A study compared Florida firefighters' cancer incidence rates with those of the general population of the state. It was the first study to include women. The researchers found that breast cancer was the most prevalent malignant disease among female firefighters, with nearly 28% of these women struggling with it. This is because, like their male counterparts, they also use the toxic fire suppressant AFFF, which contains between 50% and 98% PFAS. With each use, female firefighters are exposed to these chemicals even if they wear protective gear. Because PFAS are endocrine disruptors, frequent or regular exposure can ultimately result in breast cancer, among other serious diseases.

The following are the eligibility criteria if you are or were a female firefighter who developed breast cancer due to the use of AFFF:

  • if you were a military firefighter, you must have been discharged other than dishonorably
  • you must have used the fire suppressant AFFF for a long time on the job
  • you must have a diagnosis of breast cancer that has a link to toxic exposure

To file a claim for AFFF exposure, our skilled attorneys will also need your employment or military records, which you must retrieve, and your medical records. These documents will serve as a starting point in reviewing your case, and if you are entitled to compensation, they will also be part of the evidence.

Our diligent attorneys can efficiently help you file a toxic exposure claim for breast cancer

Since 1990, we have been dedicating our endeavors to assisting people and communities impacted by toxic exposure. Many of our clients are veterans, so you can rest assured that you have come to the right place. If you have breast cancer and were exposed to harmful substances on military bases or used the fire suppressant AFFF on the job, you might be entitled to compensation from the liable companies. To initiate the legal process, all you need to do is send in your employment or military records, which you must retrieve, and your medical records.

If you are too ill to participate in the legal process, you can ask a family member to help you, as our compassionate legal team understands how overwhelming struggling with breast cancer can be. Once we deem you eligible, we will promptly begin working on your claim. We will strive to make your involvement in the process minimal so that you can focus on your health and treatment. If our efforts are fruitful, you will receive the maximum compensation available for your suffering. It is important to note that our law firm works on a contingency fee basis.