Lawyer for Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s Disease Lawsuit

Did you or someone you know work or live at Camp Lejeune during 1953 or 1987 and were later diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease? If your illness was caused by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina, you may be entitled to compensation for your physical and mental injuries.

On August 2, 2022, Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act as part of The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act. 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. These injuries include serious medical disorders, like Parkinson’s disease, which is a progressive disorder of the nervous system.

To learn more about the Camp Lejeune water contamination recovery process, call us today and schedule a free case evaluation.

About Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system, which affects parts of your body that are controlled by nerves. This is a progressive disease, meaning the symptoms will get worse over time, though there are very few symptoms in the early stages. As Parkinson’s gets worse, signs of the disease include:

• Tremors in the hands or fingers in the early stages, progressing to involuntary shaking in the limbs.
• Rigid / stiff muscles that cause pain and limit your range of motion.
• Slowing down in your movements, which can make it difficult to perform basic functions.
• Changes in your speech, like slurring, whispering, or speaking in a monotone.
• Difficulty writing, or writing that appears very small.
• Stooped posture and/or difficulty maintaining your balance.
• Problems with involuntary movements, like smiling and blinking, or inability to swing your arms as you walk.

While there’s no cure for Parkinson’s disease, symptoms may be improved with certain medications. These include Rytary, Sinemet, and Duopa, which enter your brain and are converted into dopamine. This is helpful because patients with Parkinson’s disease have low concentrations of dopamine in their brain. However, you may also need surgery to regulate parts of your brain as the disease gets worse.

While the disorder is largely a hereditary condition, long-term exposure to TCE and PERC chemicals can increase your chance for developing Parkinson’s disease.

How Military Officials Failed Residents and Workers at Camp Lejeune

For many years, the water supply at Camp Lejeune contained high levels of trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC), benzene, and vinyl chloride. These chemicals were being ingested by residents and workers at Camp Lejeune on a daily basis, causing them to develop Parkinson’s disease and other debilitating health issues.

U.S. military leaders were told about the presence of these toxins, and where they were coming from. PCE and PERC, for example, were leaked into the groundwater by a local business. Defective fuel tanks and reckless disposing of industrial waste contributed to the problem as well. There were reasonable measures that could have been taken to protect residents and workers at the base, but military officials continually denied the dangers associated with contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. With the signing of the PACT Act, these victims and their family members finally have the chance to demand compensation for their harm and suffering.

I was at Camp Lejeune and I have Parkinson’s Disease. What are the Steps I need to take?

The most important step you can take is to speak with an experienced attorney, who will provide you the right advice based on your personal circumstances. You will also need to verify that you’re eligible for a lawsuit under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Here are the basic requirements to seek monetary damages under this legislation:

• You were at Camp Lejeune for a total of 30 days or more between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
• From being exposed to contaminated water, you were diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
• If you’re an ex-service member, you were not dishonorably discharged when you separated from the U.S. military.

Upon meeting these requirements, our lawyers will take immediate action on your case and fight zealously to recover your settlement. For more advice on your rights and legal options, call our office and speak to a lawyer for Parkinson’s disease Camp Lejeune lawsuits.

Average Case Value for Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosis Camp Lejeune Lawsuits

Frankly, it’s too early to say for sure what the average Parkinson’s disease patient will receive from a successful lawsuit. But if we look at the impact of this illness on people’s lives, as well as previous verdicts involving toxic chemical exposure, the expected settlement value for these cases will probably be around $275,000 to $600,000. But the amount that can be recovered will vary from claimant to claimant, so we recommend speaking with a lawyer and not relying on projected estimates.

Where is the Lawsuit Filed?

Your Camp Lejeune lawsuit will need to be filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Lawsuits against federal entities are extremely complex, and you should not attempt this type of legal action without help from an experienced attorney.

Along with knowing the court system where these lawsuits need to be filed, you may be interested in learning:

Should I join a class action lawsuit or should I file my own individual lawsuit?

Over one million people were exposed to contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune, so it’s more than reasonable that a class action will be certified for these cases. We can help you take part in a Camp Lejeune class action lawsuit, but it may be better for you to file a personal injury lawsuit on your own. We can meet with you during a private consultation and go over the pros and cons for each legal action. Then, we will discuss your personal situation and help you decide on the best course of action.

Is there a time period to file a lawsuit or join a class action lawsuit?

Yes, there is a time limit of two years from the signing date of the PACT Act (August 10, 2022) to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. If you don’t take legal action by August 10, 2024, you will likely lose the right to seek damages, even if you have solid evidence to support your claim. To make sure you receive the payment you’re entitled to, contact us right away to get started on a Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s disease injury claim.

How long does it take to Settle these Cases?

Based on public sentiment, which is in favor of the victims, we believe the federal government will offer prompt settlements in an effort to resolve these cases as soon as possible. If there are no major complications, we can see many of these claims settling within 6 to 8 months. But cases with severe injuries and financial losses will likely take longer to resolve, perhaps 12 to 18 months. If a fair amount of compensation cannot be negotiated with the federal agency, we will have to take your case to trial, which can extend your Camp Lejeune case timeline significantly. At that point, two or more years may be needed in order for a jury to rule on your lawsuit.

Advice from an Experienced Attorney

The personal injury lawyers of Kenmore Law Group look forward to meeting you and fighting for your rights in a Camp Lejeune Parkinson’s disease lawsuit. With our many years of experience in compensation claims against government agencies, we are confident in our ability to recover your settlement.

In all our years of representing injury victims, we’ve never charged upfront for any of our services. Our fees are added on to your settlement award and paid by the defendant once we win your case. Basically, the only way we get paid is if you get paid, and that’s a promise to you under our Zero fee guarantee. If you’re ready to take action on a Camp Lejeune water contamination claim, contact our office and schedule a free case evaluation.