Camp Lejeune has a long history of serving the United States. Before World War II, it was a naval base with an active duty population of about 10,000. Then came World War II and its associated challenges.
Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, was founded in 1942. In 1982, the Marine Corps found VOCs in two of the base’s eight water treatment units. The base expanded to accommodate thousands of soldiers and their families, who were sent to Camp Lejeune to train for combat in Europe and Asia.
While there were some complaints about the water quality at Camp Lejeune during this period, they didn’t receive much attention until 1988, when it was discovered that there had been an increase in cases of liver cancer among active duty personnel at the base over the previous decade due to drinking contaminated water while stationed there.
Government Response to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
One million military, civilians, and their families may have drank the contaminated water. In response, Congress passed the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation Liability Act (CERCLA). It requires government agencies (including military branches) who have contaminated soil/waste on public lands or waterways, as well as private companies who are responsible for such contamination sites, to clean them up within certain time frames. It will offer protection from being sued by victims seeking damages from health problems caused by exposure to hazardous materials like those found at Camp Lejeune, which include benzene hexachloride (BHC), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride (VC), trichloroethylene (TCE), trichloroethane (TCA), arsenic trioxide, etc.
What Is the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
The Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Lawsuit claim is a lawsuit that you can file against the government for injuries and illnesses you developed as a result of exposure to toxic chemicals.
These claims provide compensation for individuals who have been affected by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, which the U.S. Marine Corps most recently owned from 1953 until 2007. Since 1993, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry [ATSDR] has studied VOC-contaminated drinking water.
These claims are not easy to get approved because they require extensive research into medical records and other documents that may be difficult to obtain in some cases. However, if you believe you qualify for one of these claims, you must speak with an experienced attorney who can guide you through this process.
The Best Way to File Your Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
When you decide to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, the first thing you need to do is find an attorney.
You can find attorneys online or in your local area. If you have friends or family members who have ever been involved in a lawsuit, they might be able to recommend an attorney for your case.
Before you decide to file a lawsuit, you should do some research. In order to find out how much money you may be eligible for, contact the Veterans Administration (VA). They have information about what kinds of cases can be filed and how much compensation might be awarded.
Who Can File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
Anyone with a family member who was exposed to toxic chemicals at Camp Lejeune or who died from diseases linked to Camp Lejeune water can file a lawsuit. Buy Ambien Online
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Camp Lejeune Claim?
You should not wait to file your claim. The statute of limitations for filing a Camp Lejeune claim is three years from the date of injury, but this may vary based on specific circumstances. If you fail to meet these deadlines, you may lose your right to compensation altogether.
People with Non-Presumptive Injuries Can Still Qualify for Legal Action
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act covers non-presumptive injuries, and it provides compensation to those who were exposed to toxic chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE). The law was designed to help those who were stationed at the camp from 1953 to 1987. The chemical TCE is associated with congenital disabilities and childhood cancers.
What Type of Compensation Is Available for Camp Lejeune Claims?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows for natural persons and corporations to be compensated for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. The amount of compensation a claimant is entitled to depends on a number of factors, including the severity of their illness/condition, how long they were stationed at Camp Lejeune during their military career, and whether they were exposed to contaminated water or groundwater while stationed there.
The act also provides eligible individuals with $1 million in tax-free lump sum payments. Natural persons are also entitled to up to $250k per year in tax-free benefits if they have one or more conditions that have been linked with exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune (for example, leukemia). Corporations whose workers were employed by the federal government between 1953-1987 are also eligible for tax-free lump sum payments as well as other types of compensation.
If you have been affected by Camp Lejeune, it is important to know your rights. Even if you don’t live in North Carolina, the federal government has been involved with the contamination of this water supply and may also offer compensation.
