Do I need to be Former Military to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
August 10, 2022 was a historic day for countless service members, civilian workers, and visitors, who were injured by or lost a loved one from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. On that day, President Biden signed into law The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. A part of this legislation is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which permits all those who developed a serious illness or had a family member die prematurely from contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune to file a lawsuit against the U.S government.
Since the passage of the PACT Act, our law firm has been receiving calls from many individuals that were affected by the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune. Here is one question that has come up time and time again:
“Do I have to be a former military member to be a part of the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit process?”
In this article, we will answer this question and provide valuable information on related topics that will help you gain a better understanding of your rights and legal options. However, this is only general information that may not address all the issues that are relevant to your case. For more information on how you can receive compensation from a Camp Lejeune personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.
Contamination of the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune
Between the years of 1953 to 1987, several toxic chemicals were released into the groundwater at Camp Lejeune, a U.S. military base located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. These toxins include:
- Tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC)
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Vinyl Chloride
- Benzene
As for where these chemicals came from, there were many sources, including fuel tanks that leaked benzene into the groundwater. Chemicals like vinyl chloride can be traced to improper disposal of industrial waste, and a nearby dry cleaner leaked PCE and PERC on a regular basis. Military officials were repeatedly told about these issues, but they failed to do anything about it. Their neglect caused harm and suffering to countless people who were exposed to these chemicals on a daily basis.
Over one million people were affected by the military’s negligence. As of August 10, 2022, these victims and their family members finally have the chance to seek compensation for their financial and emotional losses.
Can Non-Military Personnel File a Claim?
Yes, you can file a Camp Lejeune injury claim even if you were not a member of the US Army, Navy, Marines, or Airforce. 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, you may be able to recover monetary damages if your loved one passed away from a health condition associated with exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. However, you or the decedent must meet the following conditions to be eligible for a lawsuit:
- You must have lived, worked, or stayed at Camp Lejeune for a period of at least 30 days during August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987.
- You must have suffered or been diagnosed with a qualifying health condition, or died prematurely from such an illness due to toxins in the water at Camp Lejeune.
- You or your deceased family member must not have been dishonorably discharged from the military.
In the next section, we will talk about the health conditions that are associated with toxic chemicals found in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. If you have any questions about the requirements to participate in the Camp Lejeune recovery process, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Qualifying Health Conditions for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims
In order to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination claim against the U.S. government, you will need to prove that you were harmed by or received a diagnosis for one of the following medical conditions:
- Aplastic anemia (and related syndromes)
- Bladder cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Hepatic steatosis
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Female infertility
- Miscarriage
- Breast cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
If you or your loved one was injured by or developed any of these health issues, contact our law firm right away. We can advise you of your rights and take immediate action to recover the damages you deserve.
How do I File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
Before you can file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, you must submit a claim to the applicable federal agency. This agency has 6 months to approve or deny your claim for compensation. If they deny your claim or do not get back to you by 6 months, you can proceed with a lawsuit, which must be filed with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Recovering damages as a Camp Lejeune injury victim or surviving family member is a complicated process. The lawyers of Kenmore have the skill and experience to bring you the damages you’re entitled to, such as medical expenses, disability payments, pain and suffering, lost wages, and cost of mental health services. One of our attorneys can meet with you and address all your question and concerns during a free consultation.
Statute of Limitations for a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
It’s essential that you take action right away on one of these claims, as you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit. Regardless of what type of compensation you are seeking, all Camp Lejeune lawsuits must be filed within two years of the signing date of the PACT Act. Since the PACT Act was signed on August 10, 2022, that gives you until August 10, 2024 to file a legal action as an injury victim or surviving family member.
If you miss the deadline to file your lawsuit, you are unlikely to be granted an extension. To ensure that you do not lose your right to monetary damages, contact us right away and speak with one of our attorneys.
Contact Kenmore Law Group
It’s been a long road for the countless victims of water contamination at Camp Lejeune, who were denied the assistance they deserved from the U.S. military. Finally, these people and their loved ones will have their day in court, but these lawsuits are difficult for the average claimant to navigate. Our law firm is here for you with the advice and experience you need to succeed in a Camp Lejeune exposure to contaminated water claim.
If the cost of legal representation is holding you back from calling us, rest assured that you will never pay upfront for our services. We operate under a Zero fee guarantee, which means our legal fees are paid along with your settlement. So the only way we get paid is by winning your case, and if we don’t recover your settlement, you won’t be responsible for a single penny of our expenses. If you’re ready to learn more about your legal options, contact our office and schedule a free case review.