Lawyer for Camp Lejeune Multiple Myeloma Lawsuit
Recently, the U.S. Senate voted to pass the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which permits individuals who were harmed by or lost a loved to the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune to file a lawsuit for monetary compensation. The new law is part of The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, which was signed into law on August 10, 2022.
During 1953 to 1987, the well water at Camp Lejeune, a military base located in Jacksonville, North Carolina, contained high levels of tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC), trichloroethylene (TCE), vinyl chloride, and benzene. Over one million service members, contractors, and visitors ingested these chemicals on a daily basis, causing them to suffer from a variety of illnesses, such as multiple myeloma.
Based on the number of calls we’ve been receiving at our law firm, we know that you have many concerns regarding your rights and legal options. Thus, we’ve assembled an FAQ of the most common questions we’ve been getting from Camp Lejeune water contamination injury victims:
- I was stationed at Camp Lejeune and I have multiple myeloma. What are the steps I need to take?
- Should I join a class action lawsuit or should I file my own individual lawsuit?
- What is the average case value for multiple myeloma diagnosis Camp Lejeune lawsuits?
- Is there a time period to file a lawsuit – join a class action lawsuit?
While we can provide general information on these topics, you should speak to a lawyer right away for answers that are specific to your own case. Contact Kenmore Law Group and schedule a free case review.
About Multiple Myeloma
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cell, which is a type of white blood cell. Plasma cells are necessary to ward off infections, as they make antibodies that will attack disease-causing germs. If you have multiple myeloma, damaged plasma cells crowd out the healthy cells in your bone marrow. This can cause serious health complications due to the production of abnormal proteins.
Multiple myeloma can be hard to detect, as there are generally no symptoms in the early stage. When they do appear, you may start to notice:
- Nausea
- Constipation
- Excessive thirst
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Constant fatigue
- Frequent infections
- Mental confusion / fogginess
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
- Pain in your bones, especially in the chest or spine
Patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma are at risk of serious health complications, including inability to fight off infections and thinning of the bones. As this is a condition that affects the blood cells, many patients develop anemia and related blood disorders. Multiple myeloma can also affect the kidneys and may result in kidney failure.
Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune
Without a doubt, multiple myeloma is a life-altering disease that no one should have to go through. But what is the association between multiple myeloma and contamination of the water supply at Camp Lejeune?
As previously stated, the groundwater at Camp Lejeune contained high level of toxins, including benzene and vinyl chloride – known carcinogens – for over 30 years. Military officials knew where these chemicals were coming from and could have taken steps to fix the problem. Instead, they did absolutely nothing while knowing that people were suffering or dying from diseases like cancer, female infertility, aplastic anemia, and Parkinson’s disease.
Finally, these individuals will have their in court. 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. However, those with a dishonorable discharge status or family members of dishonorably discharged individuals are not eligible for a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.
If you have any other questions about the Camp Lejeune recovery process, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
How much can I Receive from a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
Due to the long-term level of suffering that cancer patients have to deal with, these are generally high value cases. The medical expenses alone can be in the 6-figure range, but a lawsuit can also compensate you for lost wages, pain and suffering, and other types of damages. We expect to see settlements of $250,000 to $750,000 for many of these cases. Values of $1 million or more are possible based on factors like the stage of cancer, loss of earning capacity, and the extent of emotional trauma. However, these are only estimates based on our experience with injury claims involving cancer. If you’re interested in learning the approximate value of your own case, please speak with one of our attorneys.
How long does it take to Settle these Cases?
Provided there are no major complications, we hope to settle these cases within 6 to 8 months. But there are many factors beyond our control, which can add to the amount of time it will take to recover your damages. Some cases will be more complex than others, and may take around 12 to 18 months to settle. For the most complicated lawsuits, especially ones that have to go to trial, it could 2 years or longer before your case is fully resolved.
Where is the Lawsuit Filed?
This is something a lot of people are confused about, as most personal injury lawsuits are filed against a business or another person. But these injury claims involve a military base, which is a government owned property in the state of North Carolina. That means your Camp Lejeune lawsuit must be filed with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. We can ensure that your lawsuit is file on time according to the procedures set forth by the court.
Which is better: A Class Action Lawsuit or Filing a Lawsuit on my Own?
With the sheer number of residents and workers who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, it’s likely that many of them will band together to form a class action. We can help you initiate or join one of these lawsuits, or file a personal injury claim on your own. These actions have pros, as well as cons, which you should learn about in order to make the best choice for your needs. Our attorneys will be happy to advise you during a private consultation.
Statute of Limitations for a Multiple Myeloma Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
The statute of limitations for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit is two years from the signing date of the PACT Act, which is August 10, 2022. It’s essential that you take immediate action on your case and file your lawsuit before this two-year window expires. If you miss the deadline of August 10, 2024, it will be very difficult to pursue monetary damages, even if you have a solid case.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
The lawyers of Kenmore have the knowledge and experience you need to secure a favorable outcome in a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. We will fight tirelessly for the compensation you deserve, no matter how long it takes.
We know that the cost of legal representation is a big concern when you’ve been diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Here at Kenmore, injury victims receive free legal services from the moment they retain our law firm. We will provide legal advice, file your claim, negotiate your settlement, and much more, at no cost to you. Under our Zero fee guarantee, your settlement request includes our legal fees, so the only way we get paid is by winning your case.
Since you have nothing to lose, please take the chance of calling our office and scheduling a free consultation.