Average Case Value of Camp Lejeune Infertility Lawsuit
During the years of 1953 to 1987, over one million people were exposed to harmful chemicals through the water supply at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. As a result, countless service members, workers, and their family members were injured, developed an illness, or passed away from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Female infertility is one of the many conditions associated with exposure to contaminated water at the military base. If you became infertile after staying at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during the contamination period, you may have grounds to sue the federal government for monetary damages.
Our lawyers can answer all your questions regarding your rights and legal options, including, “What is the average value of a Camp Lejeune infertility lawsuit?” To learn more about the Camp Lejeune recovery process and take action on a claim for compensation, contact the attorneys of Kenmore Law Group.
What is Female Infertility?
A woman is diagnosed with infertility when she is actively trying to conceive for an extended period of time, but it unable to get pregnant. The amount of time varies depending on your age; if you are 35 or under, you must be trying for at least a year before you are diagnosed with infertility. For women over 35, that period is 6 months. Infertility can also describe a woman’s inability to sustain a pregnancy, meaning she has experienced multiple miscarriages.
For those who are diagnosed with infertility, various medications exist that may help to restore one’s fertility. Patients can also explore treatment options like artificial insemination and in-vitro fertilization, but these methods are very expensive, with no guarantee of success. The financial and emotional impact of these treatments can be difficult to deal with. Furthermore, there may be other health complications for the patient if their infertility was caused by environmental factors, like being exposed to toxic chemicals.
Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune
For over 30 years, the water supply at Camp Lejeune was contaminated by a series of toxic chemicals, including trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC), benzene, and vinyl chloride. Some of these chemicals came from leaking fuel tanks, while others were due to unsafe disposal methods for industrial waste. There was even a local business that leaked PCE and PERC into the groundwater, which was used by over one million people from 1953 to 1987.
There’s no doubt that military leadership knew about the contaminants and the effect they had on people’s health. Sadly, they engaged in a deliberate cover up and repeatedly denied care and assistance to service members, contractors, and civilians who developed infertility and many other health conditions from exposure to contaminated water.
This long history of negligence by the U.S. military will no longer be tolerated with the passing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which was passed as a part of The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
Your Right to Sue under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act
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. As previously stated, this law is part of the PACT Act, which was signed into law by President Biden on August 10, 2022.
You do not need to be a veteran in order to file a Camp Lejeune infertility diagnosis lawsuit. If you are former military, however, you must not have been dishonorably discharged. Those who separated form the military with this status are ineligible for compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
Average Value of Camp Lejeune Infertility Lawsuits
There are many factors that go into determining a case value for a Camp Lejeune female infertility lawsuit. These factors include a variety of economic and non-economic losses that the victim has incurred due to another party’s negligence. For example, a Camp Lejeune water contamination victim may be entitled to:
- Medical expenses
- Cost of mental health services
- Lost income
- Disability benefits
- Pain and suffering
The amount that can be recovered for each of these damages is different every claimant, thus it’s difficult to say what would be an average case value for these lawsuits. Depending on the extent of the victim’s physical and mental injuries, we believe these cases may be worth around $150,000 to $300,000. Some lawsuits may exceed $1 million in damages based on the severity of long-term health issues, including mental health disorders.
How long does it take to get Paid on these Cases?
It’s understandable that you’re anxious to settle your case as soon as possible, and that’s certainly our number one priority here at Kenmore. Based on our experience with these types of injury cases, we believe that the majority of claims will take around 6 to 8 months to settle. But many issues that are beyond our control can add to the amount of time it takes to recover your payment. As a result, some cases will take 12 to 18 months to resolve. For the most complicated Camp Lejeune lawsuits – generally, ones involving severe, long-term injuries – 2 or more years may be needed to recover a fair settlement.
Statute of Limitations for Camp Lejeune Lawsuits
If you are eligible for a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit, you have until August 10, 2024 to file a lawsuit against the U.S. government. This deadline is based on the signing date of the PACT Act, which is August 10, 2022. It doesn’t matter how long ago you were diagnosed with infertility, as long as you can show that your condition was caused by toxic chemicals in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. The important thing is to get started on a claim right away. Those who miss the 2-year deadline will most likely lose the right to pursue a case for compensation.
Contact our Law Firm
Infertility is a devastating condition that many women are forced to deal with, and most incidents cannot be blamed on negligence or misconduct by another party. But that’s not the case for women who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and diagnosed with female infertility as a result. These victims were silenced for over thirty years, but with the passing of the PACT Act, they will finally have their day in court.
We are with you every step of the way, and we will fight tirelessly to recover the funds you’re entitled to. Our lawyers have many years of experience in personal injury and class action lawsuits involving government agencies. We have what it takes to secure a successful outcome in a Camp Lejeune infertility diagnosis lawsuit. Even better, our lawyers work under a Zero fee guarantee, where you pay nothing upfront for our services. We only get paid by recovering your settlement, meaning we don’t make a cent unless you do.
If you’re ready to explore your legal options with one of our attorneys, call us today and schedule a free case review.