Decades ago, strength, security, and stability represented the Camp Lejeune military base’s essence. However, it now symbolizes government negligence and corporate malpractice. Today, the legacy of Camp Lejeune is embedded in water contamination, health issues, and scrutiny.
An off-base establishment improperly disposed of its degreasers and other hazardous elements. Additionally, the government tried to hide an on-base leakage or industrial spill. Hence, the chemicals seeped into Camp Lejeune’s water supply.
Harsh volatile organic compounds (VOCs), dry cleaning solvents, perchloroethylene (PCE), and trichloroethylene (TCE) were found in two water treatment plants. For over thirty years, the residents of this marine base were subjected to toxic water. As a result, they developed health issues such as cancer, neurological problems, female infertility, and more.
These victims took the legal route to justice. They filed lawsuits against those responsible. In this blog, we will discuss ways to find a Camp Lejeune lawyer and some details about the lawsuit.
Understanding the Basics of the Lawsuit
Camp Lejeune, located in North Carolina, houses over 170,000 people. Among them are military personnel, children, civilians, and workers. It was once a happy community, but the water contamination incident gave rise to a legal battle.
The Camp Lejeune lawsuit is an ongoing litigation filed by veterans against the American government. The primary issue was exposure to toxic water and the failure to warn residents. Hence, they developed cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, and more.
According to TorHoerman Law, the individual settlement amounts are between USD 10,000 and USD 100,000. The 2022 Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) allowed affected people to sue the government for chronic illnesses. Based on this law, residents should have lived or worked for at least thirty days between 1953 and 1987 to be eligible.
Did you live or work at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987? Were you there for thirty days? Have you developed any chronic health issues? In any case, you are eligible to file for Camp Lejeune claims.
How to Find Good Lawyers for the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
You are eligible for the lawsuit if you lived in Camp Lejeune during the period mentioned. But you need to hire a lawyer to get justice. With their help, you can pursue compensation from the estimated USD 6.1 billion budget.
The lawyers will attend to the legal process and ensure you get the benefits you deserve. Moreover, the legal industry speculates that you may have until August 10th, 2024, to file the lawsuit.
That is why you need to find good lawyers for your Camp Lejeune water contamination case. Take a look at the things to consider when hiring a Camp Lejeune lawyer:
- No-obligation consultation to understand case specifics
- Compare the legal fees with competitors
- Related experience and results for similar water contamination cases
- The experience of the lawyer and client reviews provided
- A definitive case timeline and the use of valuable resources
Additionally, the lawyer should not ask for upfront payments. Once you hire the best attorney, they will evaluate the case to check your eligibility. Then, they will gather evidence such as medical records, proof of residence, and more. After that, they will file claims and start the trial.
Types of Compensation You Can Receive
First, your lawyer will take the administrative process route. They will file claims on your behalf against the Department of the Navy. There is a six-month timeline for updates on settlement in this process. What happens if the claim does not come through?
In that case, they will file another lawsuit in federal court in the Eastern District of North Carolina. Ideally, you can claim the following benefits:
- Reimbursement for medical expenses incurred in the past
- Medical care for future treatments based on health conditions
- Hefty compensation for the pain and suffering caused due to toxic exposure
- Free counsel for the emotional hurt caused as a consequence of physical pain
- Reimbursement for the loss of income due to health limitations
Additionally, families will get compensation for wrongful deaths caused by Camp Lejeune water contamination.
The Bottom Line
Over one million veterans, workers, children, civilians, and family members were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. After the contamination incident went public, the base officials quickly shut down the water treatment plants.
Till then, the residents drank, bathed, and cooked in this tainted water. A similar incident happened in Woburn, Massachusetts. Their drinking water was tainted with toxic chemicals, and everyone fell sick.
As a result, there was a broad implication for the U.S. government’s water crisis handling efforts. Hence, filing claims is the only way residents can get justice for these unfortunate incidents.
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