The Camp Lejeune case is not considered a class action lawsuit yet. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 is recent legislation, meaning the lawsuits being filed are not yet defined as a class action.
If you were exposed to the contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and you meet certain qualifying criteria, you could be able to file a lawsuit to recover compensation. You can work with a lawyer at our firm to take legal action for the health issues you endured as a result of your exposure to the base’s contaminated water.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 Allows Water Contamination Victims To File a Lawsuit
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 made its way through the House and Senate for several years before being signed into law in 2022 by President Biden. It is part of the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022, or the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 can be found within this Act, in section 804. It allows those who were stationed at Camp Lejeune and exposed to the contaminated water to sue for recovery of damages, given that they meet the qualifying criteria.
Individuals meeting the criteria may file a case for injuries and could be awarded compensation for damages such as:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income or reduced earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Our team can help you determine if you qualify to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
You Must Demonstrate Proof of Exposure and Subsequent Harm at Camp Lejeune to File a Lawsuit
To qualify for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, you must:
- Prove that you lived, worked, or were exposed to the contaminated water for at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.
- Prove that exposure to the contaminated water caused the harm sustained, or that the exposure was “at least as likely as not” to have caused the harm.
Military, medical, and employment records may help to prove that you spent 30 or more days at Camp Lejeune and were harmed from exposure to the contaminated water. If no records can substantiate your time spent at the base, witnesses may provide statements to support your claim.
You Must File Your Camp Lejeune Lawsuit on Time
If you decide to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, you must do so on time. According to the statute of limitations outlined in the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, victims may have either two years or 180 days to file. The filing deadline you must follow will depend on the details of your case.
When you contact our firm, we can explain which deadline applies to your Camp Lejeune case. We can also help you complete and submit all the necessary paperwork on time.
You May Qualify for Disability Benefits From the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Filing a lawsuit is not the only way to receive financial relief after exposure to harmful chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s water. You could qualify to receive disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To qualify, you must:
- Have served at Camp Lejeune or Marine Corps Air Station New River for no less than 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987
- Have not been dishonorably discharged by the military
You also must have been diagnosed with one of the following health conditions to qualify for benefits:
- Adult leukemia
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Aplastic anemia
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Bladder cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
Veterans, guardsmen, and reservists can receive VA benefits. If you are a family member of a Camp Lejeune veteran, you may also receive health care benefits. Since these benefits may only cover your medical expenses, Camp Lejeune victims can choose to file a lawsuit for the chance to recover compensation for all the losses they suffered.
Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) estimates that a million individuals may have been exposed to water contaminated by harmful chemicals such as trichloroethylene (TCE), tetrachloroethylene (PCE), vinyl chloride, and benzene at Camp Lejeune.
According to studies by ATSDR and additional studies reviewed by ATSDR, exposure to these chemicals may cause a host of illnesses and injuries, such as:
- Cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Heart defects
- Scleroderma
- Miscarriage
- Neurological damage
- Aplastic anemia
Contact The Fitch Law Firm LLC for Help Filing Your Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
If you or someone in your family suffered harm due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, contact us today. We will listen to the details of your case and explain your options for recovering compensation. You can reach out to us for a free initial consultation with a member of our team.