Lawyer for Camp Lejeune Breast Cancer Lawsuit
Recently, President Biden signed into law The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, better known as the PACT Act. This legislation includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which provides the opportunity to seek monetary damages if you or your loved one was exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base. Many of the affected individuals are currently struggling with breast cancer or passed away from complications associated with the disease.
If you or your family member developed breast cancer from being at Camp Lejeune during 1953 to 1987, you may be eligible for a lawsuit under the provisions of the PACT Act. A lawsuit can help you obtain damages such as disability payments, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and mental anguish. For more information on your legal rights, contact Kenmore Law Group and schedule a free case review.
About Breast Cancer
Breast cancer occurs when the cells in various parts of the breast grown out of control. Some of these growths are benign (non-cancerous), meaning they are not life-threatening. But if the cells form into a malignant tumor, it can spread to other areas of the body, like the bones, lungs, and liver. Early intervention is the key to managing and recovering from the disease. See your doctor immediately if you notice the following signs;
- A lump or thickened area in either or your breasts.
- Changes in the size, appearance, or shape of your breast.
- Changes in skin texture, like dimpling or an orange-skin like texture.
- Peeling, flaking, crusting, or other changes in the skin around the nipple (areola)
Medical intervention is particularly important if there is a history of breast cancer in your family, or you’ve had long-term exposure to benzene, vinyl chloride, and other industrial chemicals. Such toxins were leaked into the water at Camp Lejeune for over 30 years, causing many people to suffer from diseases like cancer, Parkinson’s disease, aplastic anemia, and hepatic steatosis.
How did Contaminants end up in the Water at Camp Lejeune?
The water supply at Camp Lejeune military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina was contaminated with several dangerous chemicals from the years of 1953 to 1987. During that time, improper disposal of industrial waste, such as vinyl chloride, was a common practice. Nearby businesses also used chemical solvents, which were leaked into the groundwater. Benzene most likely came from leaking fuel tanks, as it’s a common chemical found in gasoline.
Military leadership was repeatedly told about these chemicals in the water supply, and the harm it was causing to countless service members, contractors, and their family members. Yet, nothing was done about the problem, nor were the victims provided any form of care and assistance for their illnesses. One of the health conditions resulting from water contamination at Camp Lejeune is breast cancer. If you are a former Camp Lejeune resident, worker, or visitor who is suffering from the effects of breast cancer, speak with one of our lawyers right away. Compensation may be available to you, but you must act quickly to ensure that your Camp Lejeune injury claim is filed on time.
I was stationed at Camp Lejeune and I have breast cancer. What are the steps I need to take?
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. While this is a crucial victory for Camp Lejeune breast cancer victims, they have many questions about the lawsuit process. To help you get a sense of the steps you will need to take, here are answers to some of the questions we’ve been getting at our law firm:
Where is the lawsuit filed?
No matter what state you are currently residing in, all Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits have to be filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This requirement is due to the fact that you are suing the federal government. There are many other complications that you will run into with these lawsuits, so it’s in your best interest to seek help from an experienced attorney.
Should I file a class action lawsuit or should I file my own individual lawsuit?
A class action lawsuit is likely with these cases, considering how many people were exposed to high level of carcinogens from the water supply at Camp Lejeune. Certainly, there are benefits to joining other victims like yourself and fling one singular lawsuit. But there are different benefits to filing your own individual lawsuit, which may be more suitable for your personal circumstances. To find out which legal action is right for you, contact our office and schedule a free consultation.
Is there a time period to file a lawsuit – join a class action lawsuit?
Yes, there is a statute of limitations for Camp Lejeune lawsuits, which is based on the signing date of the PACT Act (August 10, 2022). Those diagnosed with breast cancer or their surviving family members have two years from the signing date to sue to the U.S. government for compensation. If you miss the deadline of August 10, 2024, it will be extremely difficult to recover your damages, as the courts rarely grant extensions for these types of lawsuits. Please speak with one of our lawyers right away, who can take immediate action on your Camp Lejeune breast cancer diagnosis claim.
Average Case Value for Breast Cancer Diagnosis Camp Lejeune Lawsuits
Each case is unique with its own set of financial and emotional losses. Thus, we can’t say for sure what the average injury victim will receive from a successful Camp Lejeune lawsuit. We do, however, expect to see high value settlements with these cases, based on our experience with chemical exposure injury claims. Additionally, diseases like cancer have many health complications that can significantly affect a victim’s finances, not to mention their physical and mental health.
That’s why we would not be surprised to see settlements ranging from $150,000 to $750,000 from these lawsuits, and even $1 million and above for the most severe cases. Keep in mind, however, that case values depend on the degree of one’s financial and emotional losses, which may be lower or higher than the amounts we’ve quoted. For an approximate case value, along with any other information you need about the Camp Lejeune recovery process, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
How long does it take to Settle these Cases?
It could take anywhere from a few months to several years to settle your case, though we believe that the majority of claims are likely to be paid in 6 to 8 months. That’s certainly our goal here at Kenmore, since we want you to receive your payment as fast as possible. But it’s essential that you receive a fair and adequate amount of funds for what you’ve suffered. If your case is more complicated than the average Camp Lejeune claim, that process could take 12 to 18 months. If a trial is needed to recover your payment, the lawsuit process may take two years or more to resolve.
Contact our Law Firm
With the passing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, contaminated water victims and their loved ones finally have the chance to achieve some form of justice for the military’s negligence. However, these lawsuits are complicated and difficult for the average claimant to figure out on their own. That’s why we are happy to offer our services, and we will do it at no upfront cost to you. How is this possible? Under our Zero fee guarantee, you pay nothing out of pocket to hire one of our attorneys. We ask for our legal fees along with your settlement, so all our expenses are deferred until the end of your case. That means you have nothing to lose by giving us a call and learning more about your legal options. Contact us today and schedule a free case evaluation.