The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act was signed into law by President Biden on August 10, 2022. This marks an important victory for countless service members, contractors, civilians, and their families, who were harmed by contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune military base.
As part of the PACT Act, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act details essential provisions regarding a victim’s right to sue the federal government for monetary damages. In order to bring a lawsuit for compensation, victims must meet the following circumstances:
- You lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between the time period of August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987 for at least 30 days.
- You suffered health complications from exposure to toxic water at Camp Lejeune military base.
- You were not dishonorably discharged from the military.
In the next section, we will provide an overview of the health conditions that were caused by water contamination at Camp Lejeune. Then, we will talk about the statute of limitations, or the amount of time victims and their families have to file a claim for monetary compensation. However, you will most likely have specific questions that cannot be addressed in this article. That’s why we invite you to contact our office and schedule a time to speak with one of our attorneys. We will advise you of your legal rights and help you pursue a claim for the harm you’ve suffered.
Contaminants in the Water at Camp Lejeune
Between the years of 1953 and 1987, residents and workers at Camp Lejeune were exposed to a number of dangerous chemicals in the drinking water, including:
- Tetrachloroethylene (PCE / PERC)
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Vinyl Chloride
- Benzene
There are various sources that can be blamed for the release of toxic chemicals at Camp Lejeune. These sources include leaking toxins from fuel tanks, industrial waste that was improperly disposed of, and a dry cleaner that leaked PCE and PERC. U.S military officials knew about these problems, but chose to engage in a cover up that denied justice to affected service members, veterans, and others who worked or lived at Camp Lejeune.
Illnesses among Camp Lejeune Contaminated Water Victims
Many of those who were at Camp Lejeune during the contamination period suffered from devastating health conditions, which have been named by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Here is a list of those health complications:
- Aplastic anemia (and related syndromes)
- Bladder cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Leukemia
- Lung cancer
- Renal toxicity
- Female infertility
- Breast cancer
- Miscarriage
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Hepatic steatosis
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Scleroderma
Victims and their families suffered for years while federal agencies continued to deny claims of illnesses resulting from contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Many of these patients died from complications related to cancer, Parkinson’s disease, or one of the other conditions listed above. The passage of the PACT Act will finally allow these individuals and their loved ones to have their day in court.
How long do I have to File a Lawsuit?
Camp Lejeune toxic water supply victims have two years from the date the PACT Act goes into effect (August 10, 2022) to file a lawsuit. This deadline applies to plaintiffs who have already been diagnosed with one of the above mentioned conditions due to the water supply at Camp Lejeune. Additionally, family members of deceased victims have two years from the signing date to bring a lawsuit for wrongful death.
The second deadline applies to individuals who have yet to develop an illness. These people have two years from the date of discovery, or the date when they are diagnosed with a qualifying illness. There may be other complexities you will need to consider in order to determine how long you have to file a lawsuit. We can go over all the necessary information with you during a free consultation, so please give us a call as soon as possible.
Can I Seek Damages if my Family Member has Died?
Yes, you can file a claim if you are the family member of someone who died from complications associated with toxic water at Camp Lejeune military base. To be eligible for a wrongful death lawsuit, you would need to prove that your loved one resided or worked at the base for at least 30 days during the years of 1953 and 1987. Also, your family member must not have received a dishonorable discharge when they separated from the military.
The statute of limitations for lawsuits by surviving family members is two years from August 10, 2022, which is the signing date of the PACT Act. To ensure that your lawsuit is filed on time, contact our law firm and speak to a wrongful death compensation lawyer.
How do I File a Claim if I was at Camp Lejeune?
Lawsuits against the federal government have specific procedures, which can be difficult for the average person to navigate on their own. Even before you can file a lawsuit, you will need to go through the claims process with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG) of the U.S. Navy. Once your claim is submitted, the agency has 6 months to approve or deny your compensation request. If your claim is denied or the agency fails to respond to you within the 6-month deadline, you can proceed with a lawsuit, which must be filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
It’s highly recommended that you speak with a lawyer that’s experienced in personal injury cases against the federal government. Our law firm will gather the evidence that’s needed for your claim and make sure that your rights are represented in a Camp Lejeune personal injury or wrongful death case.
How much is a Camp Lejeune Case Worth?
The value of a Camp Lejeune settlement will vary greatly based on the victim’s personal circumstances. Payments can range anywhere from $25,000 to over $1 million, so you should speak to an attorney to get an idea of what you could receive. It’s expected that victims currently suffering from Parkinson’s disease of cancer will receive the highest amounts.
We also expect high case values for wrongful death claims. Based on previous wrongful death lawsuits with similar circumstances, settlements for a Camp Lejeune case may be anywhere from $250,000 to $1 million or more. Again, the actual value of your lawsuit is something you should discuss with an attorney. There are many variables that are specific to you and your family, and the harm you’ve suffered as a result of the toxins at Camp Lejeune. Our lawyers will take all this into account and calculate a fair amount of damages to ask for.
Speak to a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Attorney
After many years of being ignored, over one million veterans, civilians, contractors, and their loved ones finally have the chance to receive the care and benefits they deserve. Unfortunately, the process for recovering a settlement is complicated in any lawsuit, especially when you are suing the federal government.
Legal representation is essential to succeeding in these cases, but you may be worried about the cost of hiring an attorney. Here at Normandie, we offer a Zero fee guarantee that makes all our services free to you. The only way we get paid is by winning your case, and if we don’t win, you won’t have to pay back a single penny of our expenses.
Our lawyers are waiting to speak with you, so please reach out to us at your earliest convenience. We look forward to representing you and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
How Do I File a Case If I was Injured due to Water Contamination in Camp Lejeune
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Wrongful Death Lawsuits
