Were you stationed or living at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and believe your cancer or other serious illness was caused by exposure to the contaminated water there? You may qualify for compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA).
The new legislation, enacted in August 2022, applies to the following people if they were exposed for more than 30 days :
- Veterans
- Active military personnel
- Reservists
- Guardsmen
- Civilians
- Contractors
- Families living or working at the camp (including in-utero exposure)
- Close family members of loved ones who have since passed
- People who were previously denied VA benefits due to mishandled disability claims
We can help you check if you can claim at no cost or obligation. Meanwhile, learn more about health conditions linked to exposure at the camp and how to file a compensation claim below.
Which Health Conditions Are Associated With the Toxic Water at Camp Lejeune?
Research from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has established strong links between the following health conditions and exposure to the contaminants found in the water supply at Camp Lejeune:
- Bladder cancer
- Cardiac defects
- End-stage renal disease
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Scleroderma
Additionally, the following health effects were evaluated, but less research supports these findings. However, a link is still established in at least one study 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
This list will be updated with scientific research findings as more research becomes available. However, if you were stationed at the camp for more than 30 days between 1953 and 1987 and have an illness you believe was caused by the camp’s contaminated water, you should explore your options. You may have a claim irrespective of whether or not your health condition is listed above.
Compensation Available Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, 2022
The Congressional Budget Office’s projection to cover the cost of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, 2022 is estimated at around $6.1 billion. However, this amount could increase. What this translates to on an individual level will depend on several factors, such as the type and severity of harm done and the past, present, and anticipated financial damages related to:
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Disability
- Pain and suffering
- And more
Other factors will also be considered, such as whether you are currently receiving VA benefits or other health care allowances. While your benefits will not be affected, the amount you could recover in a settlement will likely offset against them.
How Our Camp Lejeune Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyers Help
Our lawyers can help you with the three main areas related to your claim, namely:
- Checking that you meet the qualifying criteria to make a claim as mentioned above
- Gathering evidence to support your claim
- Filing your claim by following the specific process required by the Navy’s legal department before filing your case in Federal Court
Assuming you meet the qualifying criteria, the first step to recovering compensation is filing a claim form with the Navy’s Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG). This is a crucial part of the process, so providing complete and accurate, evidence-backed answers on the claim form is essential to avoid missing out on the compensation you deserve.
For example, you will need to calculate past, current, and anticipated financial damages and have proof to corroborate your claim. This is no easy task to contend with alone, especially when assessing non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. However, we can help you with that and every other aspect of your case.
How Long do I Have to File for Compensation Under the CLJA?
All lawsuits must be filed within two years of the CLJA being enacted, so you must submit your case by 10th August 2024. Don’t delay; you don’t want to risk missing out on the compensation you deserve.
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Find Out If You Can Claim At No Cost or Obligation Today
With over 30 years of experience managing personal injury and wrongful death cases, our attorneys are well-positioned to help you with your claim. The Fitch Law Firm LLC will support you through every stage of the legal process, ensuring your claim is well-structured, accurate, and backed with supporting evidence.
Contact our team today if you believe you have a case or would like to know more about how we can help. Together, we can determine if you have a claim during a confidential, cost and obligation-free consultation.