Lawyer for Camp Lejeune Liver Cancer Lawsuit
On August 2, 2022, the U.S. Senate passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act in order to provide compensation to those who developed medical conditions or passed away from the effects of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The contamination period took place between the years of 1953 and 1987 and involves over 1 million people, who suffered from a variety of illnesses, including liver cancer.
To help you understand your rights as a Camp Lejeune liver cancer diagnosis patient, we’ve compiled a list of FAQs based on recent calls to our law firm:
- I was stationed at Camp Lejeune and I have liver cancer. What are the steps I need to take?
- What is the average case value for liver cancer diagnosis Camp Lejeune lawsuits?
- How long does it take to settle these cases?
- Should I join a class action lawsuit or should I file my own individual lawsuit?
Please continue reading to learn more about these topics, along with other important information about the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit process. We expect that you will have additional questions about your legal options, which we can discuss with you during a free consultation.
Liver Cancer: Symptoms, Causes and Effects
Liver cancer occurs in the liver, which is located on the upper right section of the abdomen. While there are several types of liver cancer, patients most commonly suffer from hepatocellular carcinoma, which can cause the following symptoms:
- Abdominal swelling
- Pain in the abdomen
- Weight loss when you’re not trying to lose weight
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- General sense of weakness / fatigue
- White, chalky stools
- Yellow discoloration in the skin and eyes (jaundice)
Early medical attention is the key to treating and managing any type of cancer, so please see a doctor right away if you start to notice these signs. Regardless of the treatment options, there’s no denying the long-term complications of living with liver cancer. These include bleeding in the digestive system, kidney disease, and increased risk of infections, like Hepatitis C. Aside from the financial costs associated with the disease, the emotional toll of a cancer diagnosis can be incredibly difficult for patients to deal with.
What is the Link between Liver Cancer and Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?
We already mentioned that the water supply at Camp Lejeune contained several toxic chemicals for more than 30 years. But what is the connection between these contaminants and the development of liver cancer in those who were exposed to them?
Essentially, there are many risk factors that can make you prone to diseases like liver cancer. Many of these factors are pre-existing health conditions, such as diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis). However, exposure to carcinogens like benzene and vinyl chloride can also increase your risk for developing liver cancer. Due to these chemicals contaminating the water supply at Camp Lejeune, countless victims are suffering with, or passed away from complications associated with this devastating disease.
How can I tell if I’m Eligible for a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
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. To qualify for monetary damages, you must prove that you were diagnosed with liver cancer due to the effects of contaminated water at the military base. Or, you lost a family member prematurely due to health complications associated with liver cancer.
If you are a former military member, you must not have been dishonorably discharged as these individuals do not qualify for a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. Family members of dishonorably discharged service members are also ineligible for compensation.
Can I join a Class Action Lawsuit on these Cases?
At the moment, no class action has been formed on these cases, but it’s likely that we will see on in the near future. After all, there may be hundreds of thousands of injury victims / surviving family members out there considering the number of people that were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. We can help you join one of these lawsuits, but you can also file a legal action on your own. Our lawyers can help you choose the best option for you, and take immediate action towards the recovery of your payment.
How much is my Camp Lejeune Case Worth?
As a general rule, lawsuits involving a diagnosis of cancer tend to have high settlement values. The medical expenses alone can exceed $1 million, and even if the majority of these costs are covered by insurance, that can still leave the victim and their loved ones with staggering debts. Based on the various economic and non-economic damages that can be requested, many of these cases are probably worth around $250,000 to $750,000. Depending on the severity of health issues and the emotional toll on the victim and their family members, a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit may be worth in excess of $1 million.
Where is the Lawsuit Filed?
Camp Lejeune lawsuits involve a government owned property that’s located in North Carolina. Thus, the court in charge of all Camp Lejeune lawsuits is the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. These cases are quite different from the standard personal injury claim against an individual or company. To ensure there are no costly errors or delays in your lawsuit, please take some time to speak with one of our attorneys.
How long does it take to get Paid from a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
It’s our mission to settle your claim as fast as possible, which usually means around 6 to 8 months if there are no major complications. But settling a case also depends on the other side’s willingness to admit liability and make a fair offer. That can be difficult to achieve when it comes a government agency, so it’s possible that 12 or 18 months may be needed to recover your payment. In some cases, it may take around 2 years, maybe longer, to settle a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
Is there a Time Period to File a Lawsuit or Join a Class Action?
Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, you have two years from August 10, 2022 to bring a lawsuit against the federal government. Thus, if you were diagnosed with liver cancer or your family member passed away from liver cancer due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, the deadline to seek monetary damages is August 10, 2024. Please don’t delay in speaking with an attorney and taking action on an injury or wrongful death claim. Extensions past the statute of limitations are extremely rare, so it’s likely that you will lose the right to sue if you don’t file your lawsuit on time.
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Most people are aware of the importance of legal representation, especially for complex injury cases that go back many years. Our lawyers are experienced in mass tort, personal injury, and class actions lawsuits against government agencies, and we are more than ready to fight for your rights.
You may be hesitant to call us due to the cost of hiring an attorney, but you don’t need to worry about that when you choose Kenmore Law Group. Our lawyers work on contingency, so you won’t pay us a dime until we win your case. That means your finances are never at risk, no matter how much work is needed to recover your settlement. For a free consultation with one of our attorneys, please give us a call as soon as possible.