Statute of Limitations for a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

On August 10, 2022, the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act was signed into law by President Biden. Effective as of this date, those who were harmed by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune military base are allowed to pursue a claim for compensation against the U.S. government.

This is a crucial victory for over 1 million veterans, contractors, and their family members, who suffered a variety of health conditions due to toxic chemicals in the water supply at Camp Lejeune. According to the legislation, you may be entitled to monetary damages if you meet the following conditions:

• You were stationed at or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during the contamination period (from August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987).
• You were diagnosed with a health condition caused by contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune.
• Your separation from the U.S. military was not due to dishonorable discharge.

In the upcoming sections, we will go into detail regarding the health conditions that were suffered by countless victims who lived at or worked at Camp Lejeune. Additionally, we will talk about how much time you have to file a lawsuit for personal injury or wrongful death if you are a Camp Lejeune contaminated water victim. We hope you will find this information helpful, but you will likely have many questions that are specific to your own case. Our lawyers will be happy to assist you during a free consultation, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.

Toxic Chemicals in the Water at Camp Lejeune

Individuals who were at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base between the years of 1953 and 1987 were exposed to several toxic chemicals in their drinking water:

• Trichloroethylene (TCE)
• Tetrachloroethylene (PCE / PERC)
• Benzene
• Vinyl Chloride

As for how these dangerous chemicals ended up in the water supply, there are several sources, including leaking fuel tanks that seeped toxins into the ground. We also know of incidents involving improper disposal of industrial waste, and a local dry cleaning store that leaked PCE and PERC chemicals. Military officials knew what was going on, but failed to resolve these problems in spite of knowing the danger that everyone was in.

Health Complications from Contaminated Water

The chemicals listed in the previous section resulted in devastating health complications for residents, contractors, and employees that were at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987. These health conditions have been officially identified by the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs:

• Aplastic anemia (and related syndromes)
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease
• Bladder cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Hepatic steatosis
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Lung cancer
• Female infertility
• Miscarriage
• Breast cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Renal toxicity
• Scleroderma
• Neurobehavioral effects

Tragically, victims struggled with the financial and emotional toll of their illness while federal agencies continued to deny allegations of water contamination at Camp Lejeune. Many of these individuals lost their lives due to complications from health conditions like cancer and Parkinson’s disease. With the passing of the PACT Act, injured victims and family members of deceased victims can finally seek justice for the harm they’ve suffered.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Filing a Camp Lejeune Case?

If you were diagnosed with one of the diseases mentioned above, you have two years to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, starting from the signing date of the PACT Act (August 10, 2022). On the other hand, you may have been exposed to contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune, but you have yet to be diagnosed with an illness. In that case, you have two years from a future date when you will be diagnosed with a qualifying illness. Finally, family members of deceased victims have two years from August 10, 2022 to file a wrongful death lawsuit.

Other factors may be present in your case that will affect the statute of limitations for a Camp Lejeune injury claim. To ensure that your lawsuit is filed on time, please schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.

Can I Pursue a Case if my Family Member Died?

Yes, you can file a lawsuit if your family member died from the effects of contaminated water during their time at Camp Lejeune. However, you will need to prove the following in order to qualify for compensation:

• Your family member lived at or worked at Camp Lejeune military base for at least 30 days during August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987.
• The decedent died prematurely as a result of health complications due to toxins in the water supply at Camp Lejeune.
• They were not dishonorably discharged from the military.

As a surviving family member of a Camp Lejeune victim, you have 2 years from August 10, 2022 to file a compensation claim with the federal government. One of our lawyers can go over the lawsuit process with you and ensure that your claim is filed on time.

How can I File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?

As with any lawsuit against the federal government, there are specific procedures that must be followed for a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. Before you can pursue a lawsuit, you will need to file an injury claim with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) of the U.S. Navy. The agency has 6 months to approve or deny your claim. If they reject your request or you do not receive a response by the 6 month deadline, you can file a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

To ensure that you are in compliance with the rules set forth in the PACT Act, contact our office and schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys have the skill and experience you need to succeed in a lawsuit against a federal agency.

What is the Value of my Camp Lejeune Case?

Settlements for Camp Lejeune victims and their loved ones will vary greatly, as there are numerous factors that will determine how much you can receive from a lawsuit. At this point, we expect settlements to range somewhere between $25,000 to $1 million or more. However, it’s best to speak with a lawyer and go over the unique circumstances in your case.

As a general rule, the highest payments will likely go to claimants who have been diagnosed with cancer or Parkinson’s disease. We also anticipate high case values for wrongful death lawsuits, which have the potential to bring in settlements ranging between $250,000 to over $1 million. Again, the actual value of your case depends on many factors, which our lawyers will take into account when calculating the approximate value of your case.

Contact Kenmore Law Group

Though it’s been long overdue, veterans, civilians, and family members who were harmed by the water supply at Camp Lejeune will finally have their day in court. But the legal process is complicated for any lawsuit, and even more so when the U.S. military is involved.

Legal representation is the key to ensuring a favorable outcome in these cases. If you are worried about the cost of hiring an attorney, that won’t be your responsibility when you choose our law firm. We operate under a Zero fee guarantee, meaning you pay nothing upfront for our services. Our fees are recovered as a part of your settlement, so the only way we get paid is if you get paid.

If you’re ready to take action in a Camp Lejeune contaminated water injury claim, please reach out to us at our office. We look forward to meeting you and fighting for the compensation you deserve.