C-8 Medical Monitoring Program
C-8MedicalMonitoringProgram.com
Frequently Asked Questions
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The C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Program was created as part of a Settlement between the Plaintiffs and E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co. ("DuPont"), the defendant, in a civil class action lawsuit called Jack Leach, et al. v. E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co., Civil Action No. 01-C-608 filed in the Circuit Court of Wood County, West Virginia ("the Litigation"). The Litigation involves claims arising from contamination of human drinking water supplies with a chemical known as C-8 (PFOA) attributable to releases from DuPont's Washington Works Plant in Wood County, West Virginia. The C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Program provides medical monitoring to Class Members for certain Human Diseases where an independent Science Panel of three epidemiologists selected as part of the Settlement by Class Counsel and DuPont ("the Science Panel") found there was a probable link between exposure to C-8 (PFOA) among Class Members and certain Human Diseases.
This Settlement does not pertain to The Elk River contamination of 4-methylcyclohexane methanol, or MCHM, and polyglycol ethers, known as PPH, discovered on January 9, 2014 in Charleston, West Virginia.
You received Notice because you may be a Settlement Class Member. If so, you may be entitled to medical monitoring paid for by DuPont.
To be eligible to qualify as a Class Member you must meet the following criteria:
If you consumed water for at least one year before December 4, 2004, from any of the following sources -- Lubeck Public Service District (WV); City of Belpre (OH), Tuppers Plains-Chester Water District (OH); Village of Pomeroy (OH); Little Hocking Water Association (OH); and Mason County Public Service District (WV), OR certain private water sources attached to the Notice as Exhibit 1 and listed on the website at www.C-8MedicalMonitoringProgram.com/water, and did not previously opt out of the class Settlement.
As part of the Settlement, Class Counsel and DuPont selected an independent panel of three epidemiologists to conduct and evaluate studies to answer the question whether a "Probable Link" exists between exposure to C-8 (PFOA) among Class Members and serious human disease ("Human Disease").
After lengthy studies, in which many class members participated, the C-8 Science Panel found that there is a "Probable Link" between exposure to C-8 (PFOA) and the following Human Diseases: (1) pregnancy- induced hypertension (including preeclampsia), (2) kidney cancer, (3) testicular cancer, (4) thyroid disease, (5) ulcerative colitis, and (6) diagnosed high cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia). The Settlement Agreement defines a "Probable Link" to mean that, based upon the weight of the available scientific evidence; it is more likely than not that there is a link between exposure to C-8 and these Human Diseases. The Science Panel did not find that a Probable Link exists for any other Human Diseases.
As called for by the Settlement, the parties selected an independent panel of three medical doctors (the "C-8 Medical Panel") to determine whether and when medical monitoring for Class Members is appropriate for the six Human Diseases linked to C-8 (PFOA) exposure by the C-8 Science Panel.
Michael Rozen, Esq., an attorney specializing in settling and administering large settlements, was appointed as Director of Medical Monitoring by the Court. Mr. Rozen is a neutral attorney who does not work for either the Plaintiffs or DuPont. He will oversee the implementation of the Medical Monitoring Program that has been recommended by the C-8 Medical Panel.
In order to be entitled to medical monitoring recommended by the C-8 Medical Panel without any cost to you (the costs will be paid for by DuPont), you must:
- be a member of the class;
- not have a prior diagnosis for the Human Disease to be tested; and
- the test must be something that a physician would not otherwise recommend for you if you had not been exposed to C-8 (PFOA).
No. You are only prevented from obtaining medical monitoring for the specific Human Disease for which you have a prior diagnosis. This diagnosis will not prevent you from being monitored for any of the other Human Diseases.
The Medical Panel recommends that all Class Members have an initial monitoring appointment for the following diseases.
Ulcerative Colitis
All Class Members 15 years and older should be screened for ulcerative colitis, if they have not already been diagnosed with the disease.
The screening should consist of a screening questionnaire to elicit symptoms and risk factors of ulcerative colitis. Depending on the results of the screening questionnaire, the screening physician may order additional diagnostic tests. The additional tests may include sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy and biopsy for symptomatic persons. The choice of type of endoscopy should be left to the Class Member and clinician to determine and be a function of the presenting clinical picture and the Class Member's wishes about sedation during the procedure. Stool testing for C. difficile and other pathogens should also be obtained in the symptomatic patient. The clinician may obtain other laboratory testing including a complete blood count and measures of inflammation (erythrocyte sedimentation rates ESR or C- reactive protein).
Testicular Cancer
All Male Class Members 15 to 50 years should be screened for testicular cancer using a screening questionnaire and testicular exam performed by a clinician. Male Class Members older than 50 years should be screened for testicular cancer using the screening questionnaire, but routine testicular examination by a physician is not recommended for males older than 50 years who do not have positive responses to the screening questions.
For male Class Members under the age of 15 years, the testicular exam should be performed as part of well child pediatric visits, so the costs of the testicular exam for Class Members under the age of 15 years will NOT be paid by the Medical Monitoring Program.
Testicular self-exam teaching at an age-appropriate time and through adulthood should also be done.
Based on the results of the findings of the screening questionnaire and testicular examination, additional diagnostic tests, including ultrasound of the scrotum should be done. If ultrasound results suggest the need for surgery, additional tests, including imaging, may be performed and tumor markers (alpha feto-protein, beta human chorionic gonadotropin and lactate dehydrogenase) should be obtained.
Kidney Cancer
All Class Members age 20 or older should be screened for kidney cancer. Because of the lower risk of kidney cancer in younger adults, the screening procedure is different for those 40 years or older than for Class Members younger than 40 years.
Class Members age 20 to 39 years should be screened by symptom questionnaire. If any symptoms are present, the physician should do an abdominal examination and obtain a urine test to check for blood. In Class Members with a positive abdominal examination or urine test for blood, the physician should order additional tests or refer to a specialist, which can include an abdominal imaging test, such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.
Class Members age 40 or older should be screened by symptom questionnaire, followed by an abdominal examination by a physician and a urine test to check for blood. In Class Members with a positive response on the questionnaire, an abnormal abdominal examination, or a positive urine test for blood, the physician should order additional tests or refer to a specialist, which can include an abdominal imaging test, such as ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI.
Physician Consultation
All Class Members should have an in-person office visit with a physician, at no cost to the Class Member, to discuss the benefits and risks of the tests offered within this C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Program as part of a shared decision-making model between patient and physician.
C-8 (PFOA) Blood Testing
All Class members should have a simple blood test to determine the current level of C-8 in their blood serum, which will enable the C-8 Medical Panel to evaluate the future of the C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Program.
You should fill out the Class Member Registration and Eligibility Form enclosed with the Notice you received. If you did not receive Notice or if you need another copy of the forms, you may obtain these forms from the website www.C-8MedicalMonitoringProgram.com, or by calling the C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Administrator toll free at (888) 499-2553 five days a week, Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM EST.
You should send the completed forms, along with any required documentation, to the C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Administrator at the address listed on those forms. You may also complete the form online at www.C-8MedicalMonitoringProgram.com. The C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Administrator will promptly determine if you are an eligible Class Member. (Note: If you participated in the C-8 Health Project you are still required to complete the Registration and Eligibility Form however, the Administrator will review your previously submitted eligibility documentation and will contact you directly if additional information is required.) If you are an eligible Class Member, you will receive a letter containing detailed information explaining what steps you should take to receive medical monitoring as established by the C-8 Medical Panel.
If you have been notified that you are an eligible Class Member, you may call the C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Administrator to schedule an appointment with a participating physician provider or you may make an appointment with a physician of your choice. Please call us toll free at (888) 499-2553 between the hours of 9:00AM - 5:00PM EST to schedule your appointment.
If you cannot make the medical monitoring appointment that you have scheduled, you must call the C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Administrator to cancel or reschedule your appointment at least 24 hours in advance of the appointment. The C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Program will not pay provider bills for Class Members who miss appointments and have not cancelled within 24 hours of the appointment.
Yes. All information submitted by Class Members and their physicians to the C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Program will be held in strict confidence and will be used solely for the purpose of administration of the C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Program. The C-8 Medical Panel may use the information to recommend when to do future screening tests and may publish information and results of the Medical Monitoring Program in medical journals or other reports. Any information about your findings will not identify you in any way and will be used only to analyze the program as a whole.
No. The C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Program does not provide treatment.
The C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Program will provide reimbursement only for colonoscopy preparation medication, and Physician prescribed medication for a biopsy, inguinal exploration, or orchiectomy. In order to be reimbursed, you must either mail or fax the receipts for eligible medication to the Administrator at:
C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Program
c/o Epiq
PO Box 2479
Portland, OR 97208
Or
Fax:
(614) 553-1222
The C-8 Medical Panel has recommended that after your C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring initial screening appointment you should make an appointment with a physician if you believe you have new or worrisome symptoms that could be related to ulcerative colitis, testicular cancer, or kidney cancer. Please click here to see the C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Program Medical Panel Recommendation For Follow-Up detailing those symptoms.
All testing will be done at a Labcorp facility. Follow your physician’s instructions to be tested at a LabCorp facility for any prescribed tests.
If you have specific questions that you would like answered, you can speak with someone in the office of the C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Administrator by calling, toll-free, (888)499-2553 or emailing the C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Administration at ClaimantServices@C-8MedicalMonitoringProgram.com.
The C-8 (PFOA) Medical Monitoring Administrator by calling, toll-free, (888) 499-2553 five days a week, Monday - Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM EST.
If you have general questions, you can speak with someone in the office of the Medical Monitoring Administrator by calling, toll-free, (888) 499-2553 five days a week, Monday - Friday 9:00AM – 5:00PM EST.
If you have been notified that you are an Eligible Class Member and would like to schedule an appointment with a participating physician provider or if you have questions about bills for medical monitoring services that you have receive from a physician or questions about payments made to physicians on your behalf, you may call us toll-free at (888) 499-2553 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00AM -5:00PM EST.
The Court appointed Class Counsel to represent the class under the Settlement Agreement. With respect to medical monitoring or Probable Link findings, these attorneys are available to you at no cost to you to answer any questions you might have about your rights under the Settlement Agreement.
Hill Peterson Carper Bee
& Deitzler, PLLC
Northgate Business Park
500 Tracy Way
Charleston, WV 25311
304-345-5667
www.hpcbd.com
Robert Bilott
Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP
50 E. Rivercenter Blvd., Suite 850
Covington, KY 41011
859-331-2838
bilott@taftlaw.com