Lawyer for Camp Lejeune Renal Toxicity Lawsuit

Are you suffering from renal toxicity due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina? If so, you may have heard about The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act (PACT Act), which was officially signed into law on August 10, 2022. Under this legislation is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which 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.

A Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit can help you recover a variety of damages, including VA disability payments, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and cost of mental health services. However, you must take action right away on a compensation claim with help from an experienced attorney. Our lawyers are here to assist you if you’ve found yourself wondering, “I was at Camp Lejeune and I have renal toxicity. What are the steps I need to take?”

To learn more about your legal options, contact our office and schedule a free case review.

How was the Water Contaminated at Camp Lejeune?

During the contamination period of 1953 to 1987, the well water at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base contained high levels of toxic chemicals that can cause severe injury and death. These chemicals are as follows:

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

As for where these toxins came from, there were various sources that military officials were aware of. Leaking fuel tanks, for example, was the leading cause of benzene being released into the groundwater. A local business that used chemical solvents was responsible for leaking PCE and PERC. Chemicals like vinyl chloride came from improper disposal methods for industrial waste. Due to long-term exposure to these contaminants, countless people living or working at the base developed severe health complications, including renal toxicity.

Sadly, victims were turned away when they asked the federal government for help. Instead of taking steps to prevent contamination of the water supply, military leaders chose to hide the problem and continued to put people in needless danger. After more than three decades, those who were harmed by or lost a loved one to the contaminated water supply can finally seek justice in the form of monetary damages.

What is Renal Toxicity?

Renal toxicity, or nephrotoxicity, is a medical condition that occurs when your body is exposed to drugs or toxic chemicals. This can cause damage to the kidneys, which is why renal toxicity is sometimes referred to as kidney failure. When there is damage to the kidneys, your body can longer filter waste products from the blood. The buildup of waste leads to serious health complications, including:

• Irreversible kidney damage
• Chest pain from inflammation of the lining of your heart
• Muscle weakness from an imbalance of electrolytes
• Difficulty breathing due to fluid buildup in your lungs
• Death from acute kidney failure

Renal toxicity typically occurs in connection with another disease, such as cancer and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis). These illnesses, along with various other kidney and liver ailments, have been linked with contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune, according to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. In particular, there is a strong association between trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC) and renal diseases.

Do I need to be Former Military to File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

No, you do not need to be a veteran to seek damages through a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. But if you are a former service member, you must not have received a dishonorable discharge upon leaving the military, as these individuals are not eligible for a claim. Otherwise, you are allowed to seek compensation if you stayed or worked at the base for at least 30 days during August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987. If you’d like to discuss the eligibility requirements in more detail, please give us a call at your earliest convenience.

Should I join a Class Action Lawsuit or should I File my own Individual Lawsuit?

We know for a fact that over 1 million people were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune through their drinking or bathing water. That means there may be hundreds of thousands of victims who are eligible for compensation. A class action lawsuit is the normal result under such circumstances, and we are happy to discuss that option with you. But many people have already come to us in order to file their own lawsuit, and perhaps this is the right option for you. We can help you make the best possible choice for your needs during a free, no-obligation case review.

Below are some questions that are related to your legal options as a Camp Lejeune water contamination injury victim. If you have any questions or concerns about these topics, don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Where is the lawsuit filed?

Camp Lejeune contaminated water lawsuits have to be filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. There are specific procedures for these lawsuits, which set them apart from the average civil litigation. We can ensure that your case is filed on time, and in accordance with the terms set forth by the PACT Act.

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

There is a two year window from the signing date of the PACT Act to bring a lawsuit for exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Please speak to one of our attorneys right away to begin the claims process. That way, we can gather evidence, calculate your damages, and submit your demand package in a timely manner. Otherwise, you could miss the deadline of August 10, 2024 and permanently lose your chance to sue for exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

What is the average case value for a renal toxicity diagnosis Camp Lejeune lawsuit?

Case values for renal toxicity are challenging to determine, since this is a condition that’s normally associated with another disease. It can also result from cancer treatments, which someone may need if they developed one of the many cancers that are linked with water contamination at Camp Lejeune. Considering all these factors, it may be best to look at previous settlements and verdicts for cancer diagnosis lawsuits, particularly kidney and liver cancer. Based on that information, these cases may be worth anywhere from $125,000 to over $1 million. The stage of cancer, resulting health complications, the patient’s life expectancy, and many other factors play a part in what these cases are worth.

How long does it take to settle these cases?

We expect that many of these claims will be settled in 6 to 8 months from the time we submit the injury claim to the appropriate federal agency. Frankly, the U.S. military is facing heavy backlash for over 30 years of negligence that put countless people’s lives in danger. It seems they are eager to offer settlements and pay out these cases without unnecessary delays. Of course, the best of intentions don’t always work out, and it’s possible that settling your case may take 12 to 18 months. If your case is especially complicated, a trial may be needed, which can extend your case timeline by 2 or more years.

The Zero Fee Guarantee

It’s astounding that the level of negligence exhibited by the military at Camp Lejeune was allowed to continue for so many years. While it should have happened sooner, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act will finally allow these victims to sue for the care and assistance they were denied by the U.S. military.

Our lawyers are here to advise you and make the entire lawsuit process as smooth as possible for you and your loved ones. We are confident in our ability to win your case, which is why we offer a Zero fee guarantee. Under this policy, you pay us absolutely nothing for the entre duration of your claim. We only get paid for our expenses by winning your case, meaning we don’t make a cent unless you do.

As there is no risk to you in speaking with us, please take a moment to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.