Can I Pursue a Camp Lejeune Case if my Family Member has Died?

The PACT Act, or the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, was signed by President Biden on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. Now that this legislation has officially passed, those who suffered from health complications or died as a result of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune can finally seek compensation from the federal government.

The affected individuals include veterans and civilians who were living at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base between the years of 1953 and 1987. During this time, the drinking water at the base was contaminated by a host of toxic chemicals, including:

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

For many years, military officials hid the fact that there were several sources responsible for the release of these chemicals. For example, there were fuel tanks that leaked dangerous chemicals and carcinogens into the groundwater. Improper disposal of industrial waste and a local dry cleaner that leaked PERC and PCE chemicals were also to blame. Due to the military’s cover up, countless service members, contractors, and civilians ended up with life-long health issues, or died from complications related to cancer and various other diseases.

The recent passing of the PACT Act gives victims and their family members a chance to seek justice for the harm they’ve suffered. According to the legislation, victims have a two-year window from the signing date of August 10, 2022 to file a claim for injury or wrongful death. That means you can pursue a lawsuit if your family member died from contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. To learn more about your rights as a family member of a deceased Camp Lejeune victim, contact our office and schedule a free case evaluation.

Health Issues caused by Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune

We can’t say for sure how many victims will come forward now that the PACT Act has been signed into law. But we do know that over 1 million individuals were exposed to toxic chemicals during the contamination period at Camp Lejeune. According to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, these chemicals are associated with the following illnesses:

• Aplastic anemia (and related syndromes)
• Bladder cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Hepatic steatosis
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Breast cancer
• Female infertility
• Miscarriage
• Multiple myeloma
• Neurobehavioral effects
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Renal toxicity
• Scleroderma

It’s a certainly that the lives of many former residents and workers of Camp Lejeune were lost as a result of these conditions. At last, loved ones of deceased victims can file a claim for damages can seek the justice they’ve been denied for so many years. If you are one of these surviving family members, please take some time to speak with one of our attorneys. We look forward to advising you of your rights and bringing you the settlement you deserve.

Can I Pursue a Case if my Family Member has Died?

Yes, you can pursue a lawsuit against the federal government if your family member passed away due to complications from contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Here are the conditions that must be met in order to qualify for a lawsuit:

• Your family member must have lived at, been stationed at, or worked at Camp Lejeune military base for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
• They were diagnosed with an illness that was caused by toxins in the water at Camp Lejeune.
• Your family member did not receive a dishonorable discharge from the U.S. military.

Without a doubt, this is a crucial victory for Camp Lejeune injury victims and their loved ones, who had tried time and time again to sue the federal government. Now, they can have their day in court and hold the U.S. military responsible for their negligence and misconduct.

What Proof will I need in order to File a Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Claim?

To proceed with a Camp Lejeune claim for wrongful death, you will first need to prove that your family member resided at or worked at Camp Lejeune during the years of 1953 – 1987. Second, you must establish that they died prematurely from one of the conditions listed in the section titled “Health Issues caused by Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune.”

There are various sources you can refer to in order to obtain this evidence:

• Service records from the U.S. military
• Medical records, receipts, etc.
• Health insurance documents
• Veteran’s Administration records

These are not the only forms of evidence that can be used in a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit. Our attorneys will investigate your case and assemble a strong and solid claim for monetary damages. However, it takes time to gather the necessary evidence and put a lawsuit together, so please contact our law firm as soon as possible.

Wrongful Death Compensation from a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit

A Camp Lejeune lawsuit for wrongful death can help you recover a variety of damages that are associated with your loved one’s passing. Here are the damages you may be eligible to receive if you lost a family member due to toxic chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune:

• Funeral / burial expenses
• Medical bills left behind by the decedent
• Loss of expected wages
• Pain and suffering
• Value of lost savings / wages
• Loss of benefits / gifts
• Loss of consortium
• Attorney’s fees

One of our attorneys can explain these damages to you in detail and help you calculate a fair amount of money to ask for. To get started on a Camp Lejeune water contamination claim, please give us a call and schedule a free consultation.

What is the Value of my Camp Lejeune Case?

We’re at the beginning stage in these cases, so it’s impossible to say how much the average Camp Lejeune case will be worth. However, we can get an idea of potential settlement values by looking at previous lawsuits that were filed against government agencies. With that in mind, we expect Camp Lejeune wrongful death settlements to range anywhere from $250,000 to $1 million or more.

Clearly, these are high value cases, but that’s not unusual when service members and their families are involved. These victims sacrificed their lives to protect our country, yet they were left to suffer without the care and benefits they should have received. Public sentiment is also with the victims’ family members, who struggled with financial and emotional losses as a result of their loved one’s passing. The combination of these factors makes it more than likely that these lawsuits will bring in high settlements.

However, these figures are estimates that should only be used for general purposes. For an approximate value of your own lawsuit, make sure to schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.

Legal Representation for Family Members of Camp Lejeune Injury Victims

Justice may have been delayed for Camp Lejeune injury victims and their loved ones, but it will no longer be denied thanks to the recent signing of the PACT Act. Still, lawsuits against federal agencies are incredibly complicated, so it’s best to retain an experienced wrongful death lawsuit attorney. That’s precisely what we can offer you at Kenmore Law Group.

Aside from our dedication and experience, we offer a Zero fee guarantee so that you pay nothing upfront for our services. We only get paid by recovering your settlement, and if we don’t win your case, you won’t be responsible for any of our expenses.

To learn more about your rights and legal options, contact us and schedule a free case review at your earliest convenience.