Average Value of Camp Lejeune Kidney Cancer Claim
Did you or your loved one develop kidney cancer from being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base in Jacksonville, North Carolina? Recently, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was passed as part of The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT 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. Additionally, family members of deceased water contamination victims can sue for monetary damages associated with their loved one’s passing.
If you are one of these qualified individuals, you are probably curious about your rights and legal options, including how much you could recover from one of these lawsuits. The personal injury lawyers of Kenmore are happy to advise you during a free case review. To schedule a consultation, please give us a call at your earliest convenience.
What is Kidney Cancer?
Kidney cancer is a disease that develops due to genetic mutations in the cells of your kidneys. This causes an excessive amount of cells to grow and multiply, which can eventually become a tumor. This cancerous growth is especially dangerous when it spreads to nearby organs like your liver and lymph nodes. Most patients experience very few symptoms in the early stages of kidney cancer. As the disease gets worse, they may notice signs like red or brownish urine, unexpected weight loss, loss of appetite, and pain in the upper abdomen.
Seeing a doctor as soon as possible will improve your chance for recovery. But even with effective treatment, kidney cancer can have the following long-term side effects:
- Hearing loss
- Loss of taste
- Never damage
- Osteoporosis
- Heart problems
- Infertility
- Lung disease
- Increased risk for other kinds of cancer
Kidney Cancer Cases linked to Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune
What is the link between kidney cancer and the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune? While there are many genetic and lifestyle factors that can increase the risk for kidney cancer, exposure to toxic chemicals can also cause cancerous cells in your kidneys. That’s precisely what happened to many former residents and workers of Camp Lejeune, who were exposed to high level of trichloroethylene, tetrachloroethylene, vinyl chloride, and benzene.
These dangerous chemicals came from many sources, which military officials knew about and could have taken steps to resolve. Instead, they hid reports of injuries and illness, even death, from the general public. Worst of all, they repeatedly denied benefits and other forms of compensation that victims deserved for the harm they suffered at Camp Lejeune.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act provides victims a chance to seek justice in the form of monetary damages. Keep in mind that even if you are entitled to compensation, there is a limited amount of time to file one of these lawsuits. To start the claims process and receive your payment in a timely manner, contact our office right away.
What is the Average Value of a Camp Lejeune Kidney Cancer Claim?
Lately, we’ve received a good number of calls regarding how much these cases are worth on average. However, there are far too many variables in a kidney cancer case to say what the average claimant will receive from a successful lawsuit. However, we know that mass tort, personal injury, and class actions involving chemical exposure generally bring in large settlements. For these patients, the medical costs alone could be hundreds of thousands of dollars, not to mention the emotional ordeal (pain and suffering) of struggling with their illness. Camp Lejeune claims can also include lost wages, disability payments, and mental health expenses.
Taking all this into account, we would not be surprised to see settlements ranging from $150,000 and up, with some cases exceeding the million dollar mark. Then again, some cases will involve less serious complications that result in lower settlements, perhaps in the $50,000 to $80,000 range.
How do I know if I’m Eligible for a Lawsuit?
Your right to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim under the PACT Act depends on your ability to meet the following conditions:
- You or your deceased family member lived or worked at Camp Lejeune during the contamination period (August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987) for 30 days or longer.
- Due to your exposure to the contaminated water supply, you developed kidney cancer or your family member passed away from kidney cancer.
- You or your loved one was not dishonorably discharged from the military.
If you’re uncertain as to whether you meet the eligibility requirements, please reach out to us at our office. We can address all your questions and ensure that you are compensated for your harm and suffering.
How long do I have to File a Kidney Cancer Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
All Camp Lejeune lawsuits must be filed within two years from August 10, 2022 (the signing date of the PACT Act). This may seem like a lot of time, but please don’t put off speaking with one of our lawyers. Many things will get in the way between now and then, and before you know it, you have missed the filing deadline of August 10, 2024. Extensions are rarely granted in these cases, so if you don’t file your lawsuit in time, you will most likely be ineligible for a claim.
How long does it take to Settle these Cases?
Here at Kenmore, our goal is to recover your payment as soon as possible so that you can move forward with your life. We expect that many of these cases will be settled within 6 to 8 months, as long as the federal agency is charge is willing to make a fair offer. If not, we will proceed with a lawsuit, which must be filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. At that point, it may take 2 years or longer to recover your payment.
Schedule a Free Consultation
After all these years, cancer patients and family members that were ignored by the U.S. military will finally have their day in court. We are with you every step of the way, and we look forward to bringing you the compensation you deserve.
Though legal representation is the key to success with these cases, you may be concerned about the cost of hiring an attorney. At Kenmore Law Group, we offer a Zero fee guarantee, which means all our services are free for the duration of your case. We recover our fees only when you receive your settlement, meaning if we don’t win your case, you won’t be responsible for any legal fees.
For more information on the Camp Lejeune claims process, give us a call and schedule a free case evaluation.