Ulcerative colitis is a disease causing inflammation and ulcers along the digestive tract. It currently occurs in approximately one million people nationwide. While medical experts are unsure about what causes it, a risk factor for ulcerative colitis is toxic exposure on military bases. There are nearly 700 military bases across the country with known contamination. People with late-onset ulcerative colitis were found to have high PFAS levels in their blood. These chemicals are still lurking on military bases today due to firefighters using the fire suppressant AFFF.
The incidence of ulcerative colitis is on the rise – at the moment, the disease is three times more common than Crohn's disease, the other main type of inflammatory bowel disease. If you are a veteran who spent time at a contaminated military base, these are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis you should look out for in the unfortunate event you develop it:
A study found higher serum PFOA in ulcerative colitis cases compared to Crohn's disease patients and controls, in contrast to other PFAS. This chemical is one of the most dangerous out of the PFAS group, as it has a strong association with cancer and other serious diseases. Nevertheless, it is possible that PFOA was elevated in the patients with ulcerative colitis before their disease occurrence if PFOA is a risk factor for ulcerative colitis. Therefore, more research is needed to find a definitive link between exposure to PFOA and ulcerative colitis.
If you spent time at one or more contaminated military bases and now struggle with ulcerative colitis, we strongly encourage you to contact Atraxia Law, as our team can help you determine whether you are eligible to file a claim. Your involvement in the process will be minimal, so you can keep focusing on your health and treatment.
Veterans who were stationed at military bases with known toxic contamination are now at high risk of developing crippling diseases. If you have ulcerative colitis and were exposed to hazardous agents on military bases, such as PFAS, do not hesitate to contact our expert team, as we can assist you in filing your claim. The only documents we will request are your military and medical records.
After a careful evaluation of your case, we will let you know if you are eligible to file a claim and obtain financial compensation. The process will mostly take place over the phone with minimal involvement on your part, as we understand how difficult it can be to struggle with ulcerative colitis. If you feel too ill to participate, you can ask a family member to help you.