Have you been diagnosed with hepatic steatosis after you stayed or worked at Camp Lejeune military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina during the years of 1953 to 1987? Did you lose a loved one who was at Camp Lejeune during those years and died prematurely from complications associated with hepatic steatosis? You may be eligible to sue the federal government under the terms of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which was passed on August 2, 2022. This legislation is a part of the PACT Act (Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act), which was signed into law on August 10, 2022.
Under the new law, those who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base can file a lawsuit against the U.S government if they were injured by, developed an illness, or have a family member that passed away from exposure to contaminants in the water supply. Many of these former service members, civilians, workers, and their family members developed hepatic steatosis, also known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
If you are one of these individuals struggling with NAFLD, you probably have many questions about the lawsuit process, including how much you can receive from a Camp Lejeune hepatic steatosis lawsuit. While we can’t give an approximate case value without speaking to you directly, we can provide insight into what these claims are worth based on our many years of experience in personal injury law. However, it’s important to note that this is general information that may not reflect your own settlement value. For answers that are specific to your own case, contact our law firm and schedule a free consultation.
Hepatic Steatosis: A Brief Overview
Hepatic steatosis refers to fatty liver disease that is not caused by alcohol, which explains its other name – nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Essentially, the disease is characterized by too much fat in the liver, which leads to inflammation, and possibly cirrhosis of the liver and liver failure. Most patients experience little to no symptoms, though they may have pain in the upper right abdomen and feel more tired than usual. Below are some other signs that may indicate hepatic steatosis:
- Swelling in the abdomen
- Enlarged spleen
- Red palms
- Enlarged blood vessels
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Cirrhosis of the liver is the main health complication of NAFLD, which causes areas of scarring throughout the liver. This can lead to serious health issues like confusion, slurred speech, and swelling of the veins in your esophagus. In the worst cases, cirrhosis can cause liver cancer and even liver failure.
Preexisting health conditions, such as obesity, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and Type 2 diabetes can increase your risk of hepatic steatosis. But even people without these health issues can develop NAFLD if they are exposed to high levels of toxic chemicals.
Hepatic Steatosis caused by Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune
Between the years of 1953 and 1987, Camp Lejeune was home to a variety of hazards such as leaking fuel tank, improper disposal of industrial waste, and businesses that leaked chemical solvents into the groundwater. Those living or working at the base were exposed to drinking water that was highly contaminated with the following toxins:
- Tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC)
- Vinyl Chloride
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Benzene
Long-term exposure to chemicals such as tetrachloroethylene and vinyl chloride can cause hepatic steatosis. These and other toxins in the water supply at Camp Lejeune are associated with a wide variety of health conditions, including cancer, Parkinson’s disease, female infertility, and aplastic anemia. Cases were reported to the U.S. military for many years, but they failed to take any action towards resolving the problem. Their negligence is finally being called into account, and victims now have the chance to demand compensation for their injuries.
Who is Eligible for a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
As you are probably aware, not everyone who was at Camp Lejeune will be eligible for a lawsuit under the terms of the PACT Act. In order to participate in the claims process, you must have been at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days during the contamination period, which ran from August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987. Additionally, you must be diagnosed with a qualifying illness, such as hepatic steatosis, from being exposed to contaminated water. Finally, you must not have been dishonorably discharged from the military.
Please note that you do not have to be a former military member to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act 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.
Our lawyers can help if you have further questions about your eligibility for a Camp Lejeune injury claim, so don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Average Value of Camp Lejeune Hepatic Steatosis Claims
Frankly, there are too many factors that are unique to each claimant’s circumstances for us to come up with an average settlement value for these cases. But we can make an educated guess based on past lawsuits we’ve handled with similar injuries. For cases involving chronic liver disease, we believe that settlements in the range of $175,000 to $350,000 are reasonable. Of course, it all depends on the severity of the patient’s injuries and the extent of their financial and emotional losses. These losses may include:
- Medical expenses
- Disability payments
- Cost of therapy / mental health services
- Lost wages / lost earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
A settlement amount is calculated by adding all these damages together, which are different from person to person. As a result, some claims may be valued at around $25,000 to $50,000, while others will exceed $1 million. Because there is such a great variation in case values, it’s in your best interest to consult an experienced attorney.
How long will it take to Settle my Case?
Next to case value, how quickly you will receive your payment is of the utmost importance to you and your loved ones. Unfortunately, settling a lawsuit is never a quick process, especially when a federal agency is involved. On the other hand, the level of public outrage for what happened at Camp Lejeune should motivate the U.S government to cooperate with the victims. Based on our experience with these types of lawsuits, we believe that the majority of cases will be settled within 6 to 8 months of filing the injury claim. However, cases with severe injuries and complicated circumstances may take longer to resolve, perhaps two years or more.
Statute of Limitations to File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit
If you have been diagnosed with hepatic steatosis, you must file your lawsuit within 2 years from August 10, 2022, which is the signing date of the PACT Act. Those who receive a diagnosis of NAFLD in the future will have two years from the date of diagnosis to file a Camp Lejeune injury claim. Family members of a deceased Camp Lejeune water contamination victim also have until August 10, 2024 to seek compensation from the federal government.
Extensions to the statute of limitations are extremely rare, so if you miss the two year deadline, you will most likely lose the chance to sue for damages. To make sure your injury or wrongful death claim is filed on time, please give us a call without delay.
Contact Normandie Law Firm
The passing of the PACT Act is long overdue for the many victims of Camp Lejeune, who were denied the care and benefits they deserved for so many years. We look forward to joining your fight for justice and recovering the damages you are entitled to. Our attorneys have decades of experience in personal injury claims against government entities, so you can be confident in our ability to win your case.
As a sign of our law firm’s commitment to you and your family, we will take on your case at no cost to you. With our Zero fee guarantee, our fees are paid directly by the party you’re suing, and that’s only if we recover your settlement. At the end of the day, you have nothing to lose by giving us a call and speaking with one of our lawyers.
To schedule a free consultation and learn about the legal options that are available to you, contact our office as soon as possible.
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