If you worked at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard in California between 1960 and 1997, you may have been exposed to potentially toxic cancer-causing radioactive materials. Unfortunately, cancer has become one of the most widespread illnesses for veterans who spent time at certain military bases. All too often cancers are untreatable by the time they are discovered, so early detection through medical monitoring can be a lifesaver.
Radioactive Substances from Nuclear Weapons Testing Found at Long Beach Naval Shipyard
Recent revelations have brought to light decades of contamination, dating back to the mid-20th century. Workers at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard in California were responsible for the disposal of toxic waste, which resulted in significant hazards, posing serious health risks. Between the 1960s and 1980, a substantial leak of approximately 3,000 gallons of chemical waste further exacerbated the issue. These chemicals were identified as potentially causing various diseases including cancer. Aside from the contamination, radioactive materials also threatened the shipyard.
In the early 2000s, the Navy first detected the presence of radium-226 and strontium-90. These substances both can lead to leukemia and other types of cancers. Although the Navy was aware of the health risks from exposure to these substances, it failed to inform veterans and other workers about the presence of these cancer-causing substances.
Early Detection Is Essential
Early diagnosis is key to fighting cancer. We encourage Long Beach Naval Shipyard veterans and their families to learn all they can about exposure to radioactive materials during their time at the naval base. Workers and veterans at other military bases have experienced a variety of illnesses, which may also affect Long Beach Naval Shipyard veterans, including:
- bladder cancer
- breast cancer
- esophageal cancer
- kidney cancer
- leukemia
- lung cancer
- multiple myeloma
- myelodysplastic syndromes
- neurobehavioral effects
- non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- renal toxicity
- scleroderma
Government Accountability and Damages
If you or someone you know has been impacted by shipyard contamination and subsequent illness, Please contactEdelson Lechtzin LLP at 844-862-9254 to discuss your situation or by e-mail at: [email protected] or [email protected].
What Can You Do Right Now?
If you or a loved one served at Long Beach Naval Shipyard, there are important steps that you can take immediately to protect your health and your family, including:
- Get regular medical checkups from your family doctor or through a VA medical center. Make sure you tell your doctor about your service at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard and possible exposure to radioactive substances.
- Request your military service records using a Standard Form (SF-180).
- If you are currently disabled, file a claim for disability benefits with the VA.
- Keep up to date with new information concerning Long Beach Naval Shipyard.
- Contact a lawyer to learn more about your rights to receive medical monitoring and other forms of compensation.
For more information, please contact:
Marc H. Edelson, Esq.
Eric Lechtzin, Esq.
EDELSON LECHTZIN LLP
411 S. State Street, Suite N-300
Newtown, PA 18940
Phone: 844-696-7492 or 215-867-2399
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.edelson-law.com
Edelson Lechtzin LLP is a national class action law firm with offices in Pennsylvania and California. In addition to cases involving mass torts, our lawyers focus on class and collective litigation in cases involving securities and investment fraud, employee benefit plans, antitrust violations, wage theft and unpaid overtime, and consumer fraud.
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