Average Case Value of a Camp Lejeune Hepatic Steatosis Claim

Were you a resident or worker at Camp Lejeune during 1953 to 1987 who was diagnosed with hepatic steatosis from exposure to contaminated water? Are you a family member of someone that died from hepatic steatosis after they were exposed to contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune? With the recent passing of the PACT Act, you may have a claim for monetary compensation against the federal government.

The PACT Act was signed into law on August 10, 2022 by President Biden. A critical part of this law is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which allows individuals that developed an illness such as hepatic steatosis, or their family members, to file a lawsuit against the U.S. government. You do not have to be a veteran to request monetary damages, by the way. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows anyone who lived or worked at the base from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, for at least 30 days, exposed to the contaminated water and suffered injuries, to file a claim against the U.S. government.

If you believe that you are eligible for compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, contact our law firm right away. We will advise you of your rights and help you take immediate action on a claim for damages.

About Hepatic Steatosis

Hepatic steatosis, also known as NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) is a medical condition in which the liver has too much fat. This cause inflammation in the liver, which can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure. While symptoms may not be present in the early stages, the following signs may indicate that you have hepatic steatosis:

• Sudden swelling in the abdomen
• Red palms
• Enlarged blood vessels (visible beneath the skin’s surface)
• Enlarged spleen
• Red palms
• Yellowing of the skin / whites of the eyes (jaundice)

The most commonly associated complication of NAFLD is cirrhosis of the liver. This condition leads to the formation of scar tissue in the liver, which can cause many health issues for the patient, including slurred speech, confusion, swelling of the esophagus, and organ failure.

Those with pre-existing conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and polycystic ovarian syndrome are at higher risk of developing hepatic steatosis. However, NAFLD can also be caused by toxic chemicals, like the ones found in the water supply at Camp Lejeune.

A Brief History of Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune

Between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987, various hazards were present at Camp Lejeune, which resulted in the contamination of the water supply. These dangers include reckless disposal of industrial waste, leaking fuel tanks, and a nearby dry cleaner that used PCE and PERC chemicals. Each of these sources leaked a host of toxic chemicals into the groundwater at Camp Lejeune military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. These toxins include:

• Benzene
• Vinyl Chloride
• Tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC)
• Trichloroethylene (TCE)

Conditions like NAFLD can be caused by exposure to high levels of toxins such as vinyl chloride and tetrachloroethylene. These chemicals were present in the drinking and bathing water at Camp Lejeune, causing countless people to develop hepatic steatosis, along with cancer, aplastic anemia, Parkinson’s disease, and many other illnesses.

Military officials were repeatedly told about these cases, but they did nothing to protect the service members, workers, and civilians that were staying at Camp Lejeune. After more than 30 years, these injury victims and their family members finally have the chance to hold military officials responsible for their negligence.

Eligibility Requirements for a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

To qualify for damages under the PACT Act, you must have lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for 30 days or more during August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987. Due to exposure to the contaminated water supply, you or your loved one was diagnosed with hepatic steatosis. Additionally, you were not dishonorably discharged from the U.S. military, or related to a former service member that was dishonorably discharged. These individuals are not eligible to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination claim.

To ensure that you meet the requirements for a lawsuit, contact our office and speak with one of our attorneys.

Average Value of a Camp Lejeune Hepatic Steatosis Lawsuit

Your Camp Lejeune lawsuit settlement includes various financial and emotional damages, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, disability benefits, and cost of mental health services. The amount of these losses differs for each victim, and as a result, it’s challenging to come up with an average value for these cases.

We can, however, look back on previous settlements for lawsuits involving chronic liver disease. Based on that information, these cases may be worth $175,000 to $350,000. Some cases may have settlement values of $1 million or more depending on the physical and emotional impact of the disease on the victim’s life. As for your own case value, that’s something our attorneys can assist you with, so please give us a call at your earliest convenience.

How long do I have to Wait for my Payment?

Our main priority is to recover your payment as quickly as possible, but there are many factors in a case timeline that are beyond our control. This is particularly true when you are suing a government entity, though we will do our best to settle your case within 6 months of submitting your injury claim. But various complications, including how fast the federal agency gets back to us, can certainly add to the amount of time you will need to wait. The time required to settle a case also depends on the severity of your injuries, the amount of compensation you are requesting, and many other complexities that may take up to several years to resolve.

How long do I have to File my Lawsuit?

Eligible Camp Lejeune water contamination claimants have a two-year window from the signing date of the PACT Act to pursue a claim for monetary damages. Thus, you have until August 10, 2024 to file a Camp Lejeune hepatitis steatosis injury or wrongful death claim. If you fail to take legal action by that date, it will be difficult to obtain compensation, as the courts are very strict about the statute of limitations for these types of lawsuits. To make sure that your Camp Lejeune lawsuit is filed on time, consult one of our attorneys as soon as you can.

The Attorneys of Kenmore Law Group

The lawyers of Kenmore have the skill and experience you need to succeed in a claim for compensation as a Camp Lejeune water contamination injury victim. We are proud to represent you in your fight for justice, and we will not rest until you recoup the funds you are entitled to.

One principal we’ve always operated under is the Zero fee guarantee, which makes all our services free to you. As a victim of someone else’s negligence, you should not be burdened with the cost of legal representation. We ask for our fees along with your settlement award, meaning they are paid by the party you’re suing. In essence, the only way we get paid is if you get paid, and if we don’t win your case, you won’t be responsible for any of our costs. Since you have nothing to lose, please call our office and schedule a free case review.