Camp Lejeune Lawyer Springfield, OH | Fitch Law Firm

Dangerous levels of harmful chemicals affected the water supply at Camp Lejeune for more than 30 years. As a result, it is estimated over a million people who lived or worked at the military base were exposed to contaminants associated with causing cancers and other serious illnesses. 

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) became law in August 2022, offering hope for thousands of people to seek compensation for their harm from exposure to the base’s toxic water supply. Our Springfield Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit lawyers can determine if you have a claim and take care of everything you need for the legal process. The Fitch Law Firm LLC is here for you.

What Was Wrong with the Water Supply at Camp Lejeune?

For over thirty years, two water supply wells at Camp Lejeune were contaminated by multiple sources. As a result, dangerously high levels of industrial solvents, benzene, and other chemicals (ranging from 240 to 3,400 times higher than acceptable safety standards) were identified. 

Consequently, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease (ATSDR) developed research establishing strong links between the following health conditions and the contaminants in the base’s water supply:

• Bladder cancer
• Cardiac defects
• End-stage renal disease
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Multiple myeloma
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease
• Scleroderma

Additionally, other studies show more health conditions may be linked to exposure to the contaminants in the water supply. While fewer in number, these studies are still enough for a claim to be considered under the CLJA related to:

• Aplastic anemia
• Brain cancer 
• Breast cancer 
• Cervical cancer 
• Choanal atresia 
• Esophageal cancer 
• Eye defects 
• Fetal death 
• Hodgkin’s disease 
• Impaired immune system function 
• Liver cirrhosis
• Low birth weight 
• Lung cancer 
• Major malformations 
• Miscarriage 
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Neural tube defects 
• Neurobehavioral performance deficits 
• Neurological effects 
• Oral cleft defects 
• Ovarian cancer 
• Prostate cancer 
• Rectal cancer 
• Severe, generalized hypersensitivity skin disorder 
• Soft tissue cancer 

We encourage anyone who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 who believes they suffered an illness due to the water supply to obtain legal help. You should check whether you can claim compensation, irrespective of whether your condition is listed above. Provided you can prove causation, you will likely be able to recover financial damages. 

How Do I Know If I Qualify for Camp Lejeune Compensation?

Claimants can pursue compensation under the CLJA, provided they meet the following qualifying conditions:

• You lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987
• You were exposed to the water supply for 30 days or longer
• You developed an illness linked to the chemicals in the water 

As such, we would expect to see claims from the following people:

• Veterans
• Active military personnel
• Reservists
• Guardsmen
• Civilians or contractors who worked at Camp Lejeune
• Families of military personnel or civilians who lived or worked at the base
• Family members (or their legal representative) eligible to file a wrongful death action on behalf of a loved one

If you have questions about how to make a claim or are unsure if you qualify, our Springfield Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit lawyers can help you at no cost or obligation. Keep in mind all claims must be filed by 10th August 2024. Once this deadline expires, it is unlikely you will be able to recover compensation. If you do have a claim, now is the time to act. 

Do I Need a Lawyer to Recover Camp Lejeune Compensation in Springfield?

While it is not a legal requirement, working with us can be beneficial for several reasons. First, the legal process for CLJA claimants differs from other mass tort litigation lawsuits. To begin, you must file a claim with the Navy’s legal department before proceeding with your case in federal court. Your initial claim form may be used in court later, so you need to complete it accurately, providing as much detail as possible. 

For example, the form requires you to provide a dollar amount for the financial damages you claim. Unfortunately, this can be difficult to determine – especially projected costs related to your ongoing medical treatment and lost wages if your illness prevents you from working or limits what you can do. 

Then, there are other damages, such as pain and suffering; these are subjective and personal in nature. How much should you ask for if you experienced emotional suffering from becoming ill, for example? We can help you with that. We have over 30 years of experience helping people assess their financial damages in personal injury cases. You do not have to struggle with this alone. 

How Much Compensation Can I Claim Under the CLJA?

It is unknown exactly how many people have been affected; however, many tragic news stories describe how entire families have been stricken with terrible illnesses and exposed to the camp’s toxic water supply. While compensation cannot undo the suffering caused, it may help bring justice and closure to those affected. 

The financial arm of the government has estimated a budget of around $6.1 billion will be needed to compensate claimants in lieu of past, present, and anticipated costs related to:

• Medical bills and treatment costs
• Rehabilitation and ongoing care costs
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Disability
• Wrongful death

At this stage, it is hard to say what this may look like in terms of individual settlements. However, in similar cases, compensation ranges from a few thousand to over a million dollars, with most cases settling somewhere between. 

Settlements and Court Awards Depend on a Few Factors

We expect settlements to be determined by the type and severity of cancer or illness caused and the associated financial damages with each claim. People who currently receive VA benefits or other health care allowances will still be able to make a claim, and their benefits will not change. However, the amount they are offered in a settlement will likely be offset against benefits paid. 

Call Today and Find Out if You Can Make a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim

If you or a loved one suffered harm from the toxic water supply at Camp Lejeune, The Fitch Law Firm LLC is here to help. We will provide our legal services in CLJA cases on a contingency payment arrangement, meaning we only take our fees if we recover compensation for you.

Contact our team for a free and confidential consultation today to find out if you have a Camp Lejeune claim.