Recently, victims and surviving family affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune got the right to sue. If you or a loved one developed bladder cancer as a direct result of being exposed to the toxic water on the Marine Corp camp, you could have the right to sue. If it essential that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible to explore the legal options available to you and your family.
Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our lawyers are ready to help you every step of the way. Our lawyers have decades of experience handling different types of injury claims and wrongful death claims. You can trust that our lawyers can handle your Camp Lejeune bladder cancer case effectively and help you recover the settlement that you are owed. If you are ready to explore the legal options available to you, contact us today.
About Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer is a cancer that begins in the bladder. It is common in older adults. In general, it can be diagnosed early, so it can be treated effectively. Unfortunately, the cancer is very likely to recur after treatment. The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. Other symptoms include dark urine, frequent urination, and pain during urination.
A Summary of the Situation at Camp Lejeune
Between the years of 1953 and 1987, the water at Camp Lejeune, a Marine Corp base camp in North Carolina, was highly contaminated. The contaminants included Tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC), Trichloroethylene (TCE), Vinyl Chloride, and Benzene. These toxic chemicals came from a nearby drycleaning business, fuel tanks leaking carcinogens into groundwater, and industrial waste improperly disposed and contaminating well water. Unfortunately, all the people that lived and worked on the base during this time were exposed to the contaminated water. This included over one million Marines, other military service members/personnel, contractors, non-military staff, civilians, and their families. These developed dangerous medical conditions, like bladder cancer, as a direct result of their exposure to the toxins in the water. Many people died from these diseases.
Perhaps the worst detail is that the camp’s military leadership was aware of the water contamination, yet nothing was done about the matter for over 30 years.
The PACT Act Gives You the Right to Sue
If you have bladder cancer as a result of exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune, you could sue. Your right to sue has been established by a new law. In early August 2022, the Senate voted and passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act as part of the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act. The PACT Act allows everyone who suffered harm (i.e., developed medical conditions after exposure to toxins) and families of the deceased to file a lawsuit against the government.
On August 10, 2022, President Biden signed the bill into law. The law gives all affected parties (with the exception of those dishonorably discharged) the right to file a lawsuit. Claimants have a two-year window from the date that the law was signed to file their lawsuits with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. Veterans and civilians alike have the right to sue and recover damages for the harm that they suffered after being exposed to the contaminated water.
For more information about your right to file a lawsuit, do not hesitate to contact the experts here at our law firm today.
I have Bladder Cancer. What are the Steps I need to take?
If you developed bladder cancer after being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, there are a number of things that you should do to prepare to take legal action under the PACT Act. Consider the recommended steps:
- Determine if you are eligible to file a lawsuit – under the PACT Act, only those who lived at or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 for a minimum of 30 days can file lawsuits for harm resulting from exposure to the toxic water supply at the base. (Note: If you were dishonorably discharged, you will not be eligible to file a lawsuit).
- Gather documents to show that you lived at or worked at the base – these documents can include military records, service records, military identification cards/papers, housing records, and work records (like contracts and pay/tax records).
- Gather documents to show that you developed bladder cancer – these documents can include medical records as well health insurance records.
- Find a lawyer experienced in handling bladder cancer cases stemming from exposure to toxic chemicals – contact a legal team with experience in these types of cases that can help you win your case. Take your time researching to ensure that you choose the right lawyer.
If you are filing a wrongful death claim after a loved one died of bladder cancer after living or working at the base camp, follow the same steps listed above.
If you are unsure of what you should do next to prepare to take action and file a case for Camp Lejeune bladder cancer, do not hesitate to reach out to the experts here at our law firm as soon as possible, our lawyer are ready to guide you every step of the way.
Your Right to Recover Compensation
Do you have the right to win compensation for your Camp Lejeune bladder cancer lawsuit? Yes – you could be awarded compensation. Some of the compensation that you could recover could include the following categories:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Legal fees
If you are filing a lawsuit for Camp Lejeune bladder cancer wrongful death, then you could be eligible to recover compensation for funeral and burial costs as well as for the loss of consortium, for example.
How much compensation can you recover? The specific amount of compensation that you could be awarded will be strictly based on the details surrounding your lawsuit. You can trust that our lawyers are ready to help you recover the maximum settlement available for your claim.
You might have some of the following questions related to recovering compensation for your lawsuit:
- What is the average case value for bladder cancer diagnosis Camp Lejeune lawsuit? – The average value of bladder cancer cases is affected by many different factors, one of them being the medical costs incurred treating the cancer. A study from 2017 revealed that the average cost of treating bladder cancer was over $65,000. This is just one of the many factors that determines case value, along with lost pay, disability benefits, pain and suffering, etc. On average, these cases can be worth $300,000 or more.
- How long does it take to settle these cases? – The time that it takes to settle these cases can vary significantly. Ultimately, it can take anywhere from a few months to a few years. Here at our law firm, we are committed to settling all cases within 6 to 8 months. However, we are always very clear and straightforward with our clients; sometimes, it is impossible to settle a case that soon especially if there are complications. The most that these cases can take to settle can be 2 years. If your case takes longer than 2 years to settle, then there could be other issues affecting the process, like the incompetence of your legal team. If this is the case, then you should switch lawyers.
Camp Lejeune Bladder Cancer Class Action Lawsuit
Considering that over a million people were likely exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, there will likely be class action lawsuits. Class action lawsuits and mass tort lawsuits are types of claims that are filed when there are multiple victims harmed in similar ways. You might have some of the following questions surrounding class actions:
- Is there a time period to file a lawsuit or to join a class action lawsuit? Yes – you only have a two-year window from the date that the PACT Act was signed into law to file your lawsuit whether its an individual lawsuit or a class action lawsuit?
- Where is the lawsuit filed? Currently, there is still no class action lawsuit; however, all lawsuits must be filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina.
- Should I join a class action lawsuit, or should I file my own individual lawsuit? Which is better? Although there are certain benefits to both participating in a class action lawsuit and filing an independent lawsuit, whether you choose to file one over the other should be strictly based on the details surrounding your claim and what will likely have the best result for your claim.
For more information about the option to file a class action lawsuit for a Camp Lejeune bladder cancer lawsuit, do not hesitate to contact us at your earliest convenience.
What Deadline Applies to My Camp Lejeune Bladder Cancer Lawsuit?
Is there a time period to file a lawsuit? Yes – all claims are subject to a statute of limitations, or a deadline to sue. If you do not file your claim within the specific timeline, then you could lose your right to file your bladder cancer Camp Lejeune lawsuit. The PACT Act created a two-year window from the date that the law was signed for claimants to file their lawsuits. This means that claimants have until August 2024 to file their lawsuits. For more information about the time that you have to file your Camp Lejeune bladder cancer claim, contact the experts here at our law firm today.
Contact the Normandie Law Firm Today
Our lawyers with experience in bladder cancer are more than ready to take on your Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit and help you recover the payout that you are owed. You can trust that our experts are ready to do whatever it takes to ensure that your lawsuit is successful and that you can be properly compensated for the harm that you or a loved one suffered after being exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
Here at our firm, we offer free legal services. These free legal services include free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our experts will be available to answer all your questions, address all your concerns, and provide you with all the information that you need to begin or continue your Camp Lejeune bladder cancer lawsuit. If you are interested in benefiting from these free legal services, do not hesitate to contact the experts here at our firm today.
We offer a Zero-Fee guarantee; therefore, our clients will not be required to pay any upfront legal costs to benefit from our legal services. In addition, we work on contingency; therefore, our clients will not be required to pay anything until winning their claims. What if your claim is not successful? If you do not win, you will not be required to pay anything at all.
If you are ready to speak with a lawyer for bladder cancer Camp Lejeune lawsuits, contact us today.
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