How do I File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?

On August, 2, 2022, Congress voted to pass the Camp Lejeune Justice Act as part of the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. This legislation became official on August 10, 2022 when it was signed into law by President Biden. Effective as of that date, those who were injured, sustained an illness, or died from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune can pursue a claim for damages against the U.S. government.

Were you or a loved one harmed by the effects of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during the years of 1953 to 1987? You may be able to sue the federal government and receive compensation for your financial and emotional losses. For more information regarding your rights and legal options, contact the attorneys of Kenmore Law Group.

A Brief History of Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune

From 1953 to 1987, various sources were responsible for leaking dangerous chemicals into the water supply at Camp Lejeune military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. These include improper disposing of industrial waste, leaking fuel tanks, and a local dry cleaner that leaked PCE and PERC chemicals. As a result, over one million Camp Lejeune service members, contractors, and civilians were exposed to the following toxins:

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

The contaminated water supply had devastating consequences for those at Camp Lejeune in the form of the following illnesses as identify by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs:

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

Victims and their families tried for many years to seek injury compensation from the U.S. military. Unfortunately, military officials turned their backs on the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. With the passage of the PACT Act on August 10, 2022, these victims can finally obtain justice in a case for monetary compensation.

Do I have Grounds for a Lawsuit?

To determine if you have grounds for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, you will need to meet the following conditions:

• You lived, worked, or was stationed at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987.
• You suffered one of the health conditions identified by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs from being exposed to contaminated water during that time.
• You were not dishonorably discharged from the U.S. military.

To discuss your case and ensure that you are eligible for an injury claim, please schedule a time to speak with one of our attorneys.

How can I File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?

Filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit is a very complicated process, so it’s in your best interest to work with an attorney that’s experienced in personal injury claims against government agencies. Before you can pursue a lawsuit, you will need to file a claim with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps of the U.S. Navy, commonly known as JAG. The agency has 6 months to approve your request and make you a settlement offer. Or, they may reject your claim, and in that case, you can file a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

There is much more to know about the procedures for seeking damages if you or your loved one was at Camp Lejeune during the contamination period. Our lawyers will be happy to sit down with you and advise you of your rights during a free case review.

Monetary Damages for Camp Lejeune Victims

Those who were injured from toxins in the water at Camp Lejeune can seek a variety of damages for things like medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. That last element is particularly important, as many Camp Lejeune victims developed mental health issues due to complications from their illness. In addition, they were ignored and pushed aside by military officials instead of receiving the assistance they deserved. It’s not surprising that many of them sought mental health counseling, and the cost of these services can also be recovered through a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.

What is the Value of my Camp Lejeune Injury Claim?

There will be wide variations in settlement values for these cases, since each claim has its own set of circumstances. We expect that claims on the lower end will range from $25,000 to $50,000. But many victims have serious health conditions that have taken away their ability to work or care for their family. That’s why we expect high values in lawsuits involving illnesses like kidney cancer, liver cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. Settlements in these cases are expected to range anywhere from $250,000 to $1 million and up.

We expect to see the same range of values for wrongful death claims. With these cases, we have to think of all the losses that are suffered by the surviving family members. These can be substantial, depending on factors like the decedent’s age, the severity of their illness before death, and the income they would have earned.

How long do I have to file a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

Eligible claimants have two years to file a lawsuit from the signing date of the PACT Act (August 10, 2022) if they’ve been diagnosed with a qualifying illness. Otherwise, they have two years from a future date when they are officially diagnosed. Those who are filing on behalf of a deceased Camp Lejeune victim have two years from August 2, 2022 to seek wrongful death or survivorship benefits.

To ensure that your claim is filed in a timely manner, speak to one of our attorneys as soon as you can.

Schedule a Free Case Review

They lawyers of Kenmore have decades of experience in mass, complex injury cases. We can help you achieve justice if you or your loved one was harmed by exposure to toxic chemicals at Camp Lejeune. However, it’s essential to get started on a claim right away due to the amount of time that’s required to prepare these types of lawsuits.

If you’re concerned about legal fees, let us put your mind at ease with the Zero fee guarantee. Under this agreement, you pay nothing to retain one of our attorneys. In fact, all our expenses are put off until we win your case, meaning if we don’t recover your payment, you will not have to pay back a single penny of our costs.

To learn more about the process of filing a Camp Lejeune contaminated water lawsuit, contact our law firm and schedule a free consultation.