What if I Die before my Settlement? – Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyers

On August 10, 2022, victims harmed by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune were granted the right to file a lawsuit against the government. The water at the base camp was contaminated from 1953 to 1987. Considering how much time has already passed, it is important to consider that many of the affected parties have already passed away. Still, there are plenty of survivors, many of which are already older and have been battling dangerous medical conditions for decades. Our law firm has been contacted by many of these affected parties with questions about whether they have the option to leave their settlement to family in the case of death before their lawsuit finalizes. Undeniably, this is a valid concern.

If you developed a medical condition after being exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune and you are interested in filing a lawsuit but are concerned about possibly passing away before your case is completed, contact us today. Here at the Kenmore Law Group, our lawyers are more than ready to take on your case and help you recover the settlement that you are owed. Our lawyers are ready to help you every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Affected parties looking to learn more about their right to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit have contacted us with some of the following questions:

• How long does it take to settle a Camp Lejeune water contamination case?
• What is the average time period to settle a Camp Lejeune cancer case?
• How long do I have to wait to get a settlement check?
• What happens if I die before the settlement? Who gets the settlement money?
• What will happen to my settlement if I die before the process is complete?
• Can I leave it to my family? Can I my family receive the settlement check if I am not alive?
• Will my family have survivor’s rights?

People of all ages were exposed to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. Those who were exposed as infants or in-utero at the last possible moment of 1987 would be about 35 years old today. Of course, there were many other parties that were affected as adults. Victims that were 18 or older when exposed to the toxic water would be 53 or older today. It’s also important to consider that affected parties developed dangerous medical conditions, many of which significantly reduced life expectancy.

Considering this, it makes sense that some affected parties are worried about starting their legal process knowing that they could lose their battle with cancer or with another disease soon. Here at our law firm, we are ready to help you.

How Long Does the Settlement Process take for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Cases?

There are many different factors that should be considered when trying to determine the time that it can take to reach a settlement. Some of these factors are listed below:

• The type of harm suffered (i.e., the specific medical condition resulting from the exposure to the contaminated water)
• Whether treatment has been completed or is ongoing
• The cost of all medical treatment (including projected medical costs if treatment is ongoing)
• Whether supporting documents are available (i.e., military records, medical records, etc.)
• The competency of the team handling the claim
• The cooperation of the defense
• The cooperation of the claimant

So, how long will your case take to settle? Normally, these types of cases can take anywhere from just a few months to a few years to settle. Straightforward cases can normally settle in eight months. Even minor complications can cause the settlement process to take longer. Severe complications can cause the settlement to take up to two years – and sometimes even longer.

Kenmore aims to settle claims as quickly as possible. Our lawyers know that you and your family have been waiting decades for justice, so we are committed to getting you the settlement that you are owed as quickly as possible. Our goal is to settle your case in as little as six to eight months. In addition, we will always be upfront with you, so you will never be left wondering anything about the process.

My current attorney is taking too long to reach a settlement. Unfortunately, some legal teams simply do not prioritize getting their claimants a prompt settlement. In some cases, the team handling the case might actually be incompetent, so they cannot get a settlement within a reasonable time frame. If you are unhappy with the time that your settlement process is taking, then you should consider looking for a second opinion immediately. No matter whether you already started the legal process elsewhere, our lawyers can help redirect your claim and ensure that you get the settlement that you are owed within a reasonable length of time.

What if I Die before My Case Settles?

Without a doubt, this is a valid concern – especially if you have been dealing with a severe medical condition for years. You might have found yourself asking some of the following questions:

• Will my family be able to receive my settlement check if I am not alive by the time that my Camp Lejeune case settles? Yes – your family will have the right to get your settlement check if you pass before the settlement is finalized. Whenever a claimant dies during a pending lawsuit, surviving family essentially takes the pace of the decedent as claimant. This means that when the case settles, family will get the settlement.
• What happens if I die before I even file my lawsuit? If you pass away but have not still filed any claim, things are a bit different. Instead of taking your place as claimant, your family will need to file a wrongful death claim. Once this lawsuit settles, then your family will be awarded the settlement.
• Can I make other arrangements to ensure that my settlement money goes to my family? Yes – you can make any arrangements that you like similarly like what you would do with a will. For instance, if you would like your settlement to be split between multiple family members, you have the option to leave details instructions. In cases where there are no clear instructions, the settlement typically goes to the next of kin.

Your Right to Sue

All parties who were stationed at, living at, or working at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between 1953 and 1987 are eligible to file a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina under the PACT Act. This includes veterans, non-military staff, contractors, and civilians, for instance. You have a two-year window (until August 2024) to file your Camp Lejeune lawsuit. For more information about your right to sue and the options available to you and your family specific to getting a settlement after your passing, contact the experts at our law firm immediately.

Contact the Kenmore Law Group Today

The toxic water at Camp Lejeune, which was contaminated with PCE or PERC, TCE, vinyl chloride, and benzene left countless people dealing with dangerous health conditions. Over one million Marines, other military members, non-military staff, contractors, civilians, etc. were exposed to the toxic water. Many of the affected parties have already died from the medical conditions that they developed. Many others who were also affected have dealt with severe medical conditions for decades – many of them expecting to lose their battle soon. If you were harmed after being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you have the right to sue. In case of your passing, your family could be awarded your settlement.

If you are interested in exploring your legal options, contact the experts here at our law firm today. Our lawyers here at the Kenmore Law Group are more than ready to take on your claim and to help you secure the settlement that you are owed. If you are ready to speak with our lawyers to get the information that you need to begin your claim and begin the settlement process, contact us immediately. Our lawyers are ready to help you.