Did you or a loved one develop and suffer from aplastic anemia after being exposed to dangerous chemicals in the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune? If so, you could have grounds to file a lawsuit. Whether you were diagnosed with this condition or a loved one was diagnosed and later died due to this condition, you could have grounds to file a lawsuit.
Our lawyers for aplastic anemia at Camp Lejeune are ready to evaluate your claim and provide you with the guidance that you need to win your lawsuit. Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our lawyers have decades of experience managing all sorts of claims, including those arising from negligent exposure to toxic chemicals. If you are interested in learning more about the legal options available to you for any harm resulting from exposure to contaminated water at the Marine Corps base camp, do not hesitate to contact the experts here at our law firm as soon as possible.
What is Aplastic Anemia?
Aplastic anemia, also known as bone marrow aplasia, is a rare medical condition in which the body stops producing enough new blood cells. The condition develops because of damage to the bone marrow. Although the damage to the bone marrow can be present at birth, the damage can also develop after exposure to chemotherapy, radiation, certain drugs, certain infections, and toxic chemicals, for instance.
Symptoms of aplastic anemia can include the following:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Fever
- Skin rashes (small purple or red spots)
- Bleeding (including nosebleeds)
- Bruising
- Rapid heart rate
- Frequent infections
- Shortness of breath
- Pallor (paleness of the skin)
For some, symptoms develop slowly, although it is possible for symptoms to develop suddenly.
Treatment for aplastic anemia can include medications (like bone marrow stimulants and immunosuppressants), blood transfusions, step-cell transplants, and allotransplantation (the transplant of cells, tissues, or organs). Without treatment, aplastic anemia can be fatal.
Diseases related to aplastic anemia include Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML), Graft vs. Host Disease (GVHD), Myelofibrosis (MF), Chronic Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPN), and Pure Red Cell Aplasia (PRCA), for example.
If you or a loved one suffered aplastic anemia or similar conditions after being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, it is essential that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible. Our lawyers are ready to help you better understand your legal options.
Exposure to Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune
Between 1953 and 1987, the water at Camp Lejeune was tainted with multiple chemicals, including Benzene, Vinyl Chloride, Trichloroethylene (TCE), and Tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC). The toxic chemicals came from multiple sources. One of the toxins leaked from a nearby business. Leaking fuel tanks contaminated the groundwater with carcinogens, and recklessly disposed industrial waste contaminated the well water.
During this period of time, over one million Marines, other military service members, non-military staff, contractors, civilians, and their families lived and/or worked on the base were exposed to the toxic chemicals. Many of these people developed different health conditions, like aplastic anemia, as a direct result of the exposure to the contaminated water on the camp.
Unfortunately, military leadership kept the water contamination under wraps for over thirty years. Leadership was aware of the contamination problem but failed to take any action whatsoever. In other words, leadership knew the danger that existed and the risk it presented to those on the base but chose to ignore it and take no action.
Your Right to Sue Based on a New Law
On August 2, 2022, the Senate voted to pass the Camp Lejeune Justice Act as part of the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act; the Act would allow all those who suffered harm, developed medical conditions, and the family of deceased parties the right to file a lawsuit against the government. On August 10, 2022, President Biden signed the bill into law.
The new law allows affected parties and the family of the deceased to file a lawsuit and seek compensation by filing a lawsuit with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. It gives veterans and civilians that were exposed to and harmed by the contaminated water the right to recover damages, including damages for medical costs, disability benefits, lost income, pain and suffering, as well as the costs of mental health services and counseling services, for example.
The law creates a two-year window from the date that it became law for affected parties to file their lawsuits.
Who Is Eligible to File a Lawsuit?
Veterans and their civilian family members, non-military staff, contractors, and the family members of the deceased can be eligible to file a lawsuit. To be eligible to file a lawsuit for harm resulting from exposure to the toxic water, claimants will need to prove that they lived at or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 for a minimum of 30 days; if claimants are filing wrongful death claims, they will need to prove that their family member lived or worked on the base.
Those who were dishonorably discharged as well as their family are ineligible to file a lawsuit.
How to Prove Exposure to the Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune?
Considering that the exposure to the contaminated water at the camp occurred many decades ago, you might be wondering exactly how you will be able to prove that you or a loved one suffered aplastic anemia as a result of exposure to toxic water. There are a number of documents that you can gather as evidence. This can include the following:
- Military records
- Housing records
- Work records (including contracts and pay statements)
- Medical records and health insurance records
If you are unsure if you have enough evidence to prove that you or your loved one lived or worked at the camp during the time in which the water was highly toxic, do not hesitate to reach out to the experts at our law firm as soon as possible. Our lawyers are ready to provide you with the guidance that you need.
What Compensation is Available for Recovery? – and Other Common Questions
If you decide to file a lawsuit for aplastic anemia associated with exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune, you could have grounds to file a lawsuit and recover compensation. What compensation can you recover? Based on the details surrounding your claim, you could potentially recover compensation for some of the following:
- Medical costs
- Lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Legal costs
If you are filing for the wrongful death of a loved one, you could be eligible to recover compensation for loss of support, funeral and burial damages, and loss of consortium. Here at our law firm, we are completely dedicated to helping you recover the highest settlement available for your aplastic anemia Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.
What is the average case value for aplastic anemia diagnosis Camp Lejeune lawsuit? Because these lawsuits are just arising, there is still no values that we can review to establish average vase values. Similar cases, however, consisting of victims developing serious health conditions associated with exposure to toxins can be high value. Some of these cases can be associated with hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical costs alone. Typically, these cases are worth upwards of $300,000. These cases can reach million-dollar values.
How long does it take to settle these cases? Here at our law firm, we understand how difficult it can be for our clients to have to wait for a settlement after years of waiting for justice. Our lawyers are ready to handle your Camp Lejeune aplastic anemia lawsuit effectively and get you a settlement within 6 to 8 months. In general, cases can settle this soon. However, it is important to note that certain complications can delay the settlement process. In the worst case scenario, these cases can take 2 years or more to settle.
How Long Do I Have to Sue?
Is there a time period to file a lawsuit? As previously mentioned, the PACT Act established a two-year window (from the date that the law was signed) for claimants to file their lawsuits. This means that you have two years from August 10, 2022 to file your lawsuit – you can file your lawsuit up until August 2024. All claims are subject to a statute of limitations, which establishes the total length of time that you have to file your claim. If you do not file your claim on time, then you could lose your right to file your lawsuit.
Should I Join a Class Action Lawsuit?
Considering the number of people who lived and worked at the base during the period that the water was contaminated, it is likely that class action lawsuits arise. After all, far too many people developed dangerous health conditions. Can I participate in a class action lawsuit? You could participate in a class action lawsuit for aplastic anemia resulting from exposure to toxic chemicals at Camp Lejeune.
I have aplastic anemia. What are the steps I need to take to join a class action lawsuit? You will need to seek the guidance of your lawyer and express your desire to participate in the class action lawsuit. Your lawyer will guide you every step of the way.
Where is the lawsuit filed? All lawsuits must be filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. As of today, there is still no class action lawsuit that has been filed, simply because the new law is very recent. However, class action lawsuits can start arising at any time.
Should I join a class action lawsuit, or should I file my own individual lawsuit? This is ultimately your decision. There are benefits to both, so your decision should be based on what is best for your specific situation. If you are unsure of whether you should file a lawsuit individually or file a class action lawsuit, simply contact the experts here at our law firm today.
Contact Normandie Law Firm Today
If you are looking for a lawyer for aplastic anemia Camp Lejeune lawsuit, contact us today. Here at our law firm, our lawyers are ready to provide you with all the information that you need to pursue your lawsuit and recover the compensation that you are owed. Whether you developed aplastic anemia or a loved one developed the condition and later died, you could file a lawsuit. Our lawyers are ready to help you sue for the harm resulting from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. We offer free legal services, including free consultations and free second opinions. During these legal services, our lawyers will be available to answer all your questions and provide you with the information that you need to begin or continue your claim. We offer a Zero-Fee guarantee, so you will not be required to pay upfront legal costs for any of our legal services. In addition, we work on contingency; therefore, our clients will not be required to pay any legal costs until after winning your claim. If you do not win, you simply will not pay anything.
If you are ready to speak with our Aplastic Anemia Camp Lejeune lawyers, contact us today.
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