RoxanneOutline:
- What’s happening? – A new law is letting former Camp Lejeune residents sue for suffering caused by contaminated water at the base.
- What health problems are linked to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water? – Birth defects, multiple forms of cancer, fatty liver disease, infertility, Parkinson’s disease, and more.
- Who does this affect? – Camp Lejeune residents and workers (including vets and family members) who came in contact with the base between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
- What can you do? – We will describe what you can do in detail below, including filing claims, hiring an attorney, etc.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act
President Joe Biden signed the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (Honoring Our PACT Act) into law on August 10, 2022. One piece of legislation in the Honoring Our PACT Act is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. It lets former Camp Lejeune residents and workers file lawsuits for any harm experienced from the base’s toxic water contamination. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act does this by removing the government’s previous immunity to being sued by military members injured while serving their country.
Health Issues Caused By Camp Lejeune’s Contaminated Water
Here are some health problems that may have been triggered by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. If you or a close family member have suffered from any of the following, you may want to hire an attorney to file your lawsuit against the government:
- Adult leukemia
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cardiac birth defects
- Esophageal cancer
- Hepatic steatosis (aka fatty liver disease)
- Infertility
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Multiple myeloma
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
How Much Money Will Be Involved With Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits?
It’s estimated that the U.S. government could pay over $6 billion in compensation for Camp Lejeune water contamination over the next ten years.
Are Non-Veterans Eligible?
Yes, a lack of military service does not prevent you from filing a lawsuit under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. The new law covers veterans and others who lived, worked, or were present at the base between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, for at least 30 days since any of the above could have been exposed to the contaminated water. Examples of people who could file lawsuits for their time at Camp Lejeune include:
- Veterans
- Family members
- Civilian workers
- Anyone exposed in utero from being in their mother’s womb at the time
How Much Could You Get From A Settlement?
Although the government is estimated to spend over $6 billion during the next decade covering Camp Lejeune contaminated water lawsuits, your settlement amount will depend on many factors, such as:
- The health issues you experienced
- The impact those issues have had on your life
- Your lawyer’s ability to link your health issues with Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water
Your settlement could cover things like:
- Lost wages
- Past and future medical expenses
- Loss of life’s enjoyment
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral expenses
How To File A Claim For Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Even if you have already gone to the VA in the past and received benefits or had your claims denied, you can still file a lawsuit under the new Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Doing so can help you receive additional compensation from the VA for pain and suffering, loss of employment, etc., if you are already receiving benefits, or it could help you enjoy a new opportunity for justice if you were previously denied.
Here’s how to file a claim:
- Find out if you are eligible to file a water contamination claim. Eligibility covers those who lived, worked, or were present at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, for at least 30 days and who developed physical health problems due to the contaminated water. This includes anyone who was in their mother’s womb while she lived or worked at the base.
- Hire an attorney who can work on your case. Provide the attorney any necessary information so they can compile a complaint that details your diagnosis, how it affected your life, and what role Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water played.
- Wait for the attorney to file the complaint with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina so your lawsuit can officially begin.
Find An Attorney To File Your Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Claim Now
If you believe that you or a loved one have been negatively impacted by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, find an attorney now so you can begin filing your claim.
