If you were a veteran whose service took place at Camp Lejeune, you might be eligible to receive compensation. The contaminated water could have led to various diseases. Many cases have come forward where veterans have claimed that exposure to toxic water led to health problems and are filing lawsuits for compensation. But who all are eligible for filing lawsuits? Let’s find out in this article.
What Is Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
The Camp Lejeune Lawsuit is a class action lawsuit filed against the federal government. This lawsuit is for people who were stationed at Camp Lejeune between the years 1953 and 1987. In the 1980s, a few studies were conducted to determine the toxicity levels of drinking water supplied to Camp Lejeune. It was found that the water had toxic substances, including TCE, PCE, Benzene, etc.
The lawsuit alleges the government didn’t inform the veterans and their family members of the hazards. However, the lawsuit was initially rejected at the North Carolina court because of the statute of limitations.
This means that a personal injury case filed after three years from the date of injury will be rejected. However, this enraged the veterans, their family members, and all the supporters who stood with them. Hence, the lawsuit is considered again.
How Much Compensation Can You Get in the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
The compensation you can receive depends on factors such as your illness and how long you spent at Camp Lejeune. If you were exposed to hazardous water at Camp Lejeune, there is a good chance that you have developed an illness or disease related to your exposure. For example, exposure-related conditions include cancer, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, chronic kidney disease, etc.
The severity of these illnesses will determine the Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts you will get through this lawsuit. For instance, if someone had cancer resulting from their time at Camp Lejeune and died from it after receiving treatment for many years before passing away, then their family may qualify for more money than another family member who was not diagnosed until recently and is currently at the initial stages of treatment.
What Criteria Should Veterans Meet to File the Lawsuit?
Veterans who served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from August 1, 1953, through December 31, 1987, are eligible to file a claim. However, you may also qualify for the Camp Lejuene Lawsuit if you prove that you developed any of these illnesses after serving at Camp Lejeune.
Some other eligibility criteria for filing the lawsuit include the following:
- You should not have got a dishonorable discharge from the military
- You should have developed any disease associated with exposure to contaminated water
If you have faced complications arising from toxic water exposure, it is advised to hire an experienced attorney and file your case. The lawyer will help you file the case and collect the evidence to win it. This will make you eligible to receive compensation.
Who Else Is Eligible to File the Lawsuit?
Besides the veterans, some other people also qualify for filing the lawsuit. These people include:
- Veterans’ family members who lived at Camp Lejeune with them and were exposed to the toxic water
- Reservists, guardsmen, and other staff members stationed at the camp
What Diseases Should You Have to File the Lawsuit?
There are many diseases associated with the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has declared eight presumptive diseases, including adult leukemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, and a few others. If you face any of these presumptive diseases, you will automatically qualify for filing the lawsuit if you have stayed at the camp for more than 30 days.
Besides the presumptive diseases, several others are associated with the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit. These health conditions include female infertility, lung cancer, renal toxicity, neurobehavioral effects, etc. Here are some of the health problems associated with the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit.
Kidney Cancer
Kidney cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the kidneys. It’s also called renal cell carcinoma. The American Cancer Society predicts 13,920 people will die of kidney cancer in the USA in 2022.
A study published in the MDPI journal shows that trichloroethylene (TCE) present in the water at Camp Lejeune can lead to kidney cancer. Hence, this condition is listed as a presumptive condition developed because of the water contamination exposure at Camp Lejeune.
If you’ve been diagnosed with kidney cancer or are worried about your chances of developing this disease, you can consult a doctor and conduct tests for diagnosis. If kidney cancer is found due to toxic water exposure, you can take help from a lawyer and file a lawsuit.
Bladder cancer
Bladder cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the bladder and can spread to other parts of the body. It is the sixth most common cancer in men and the ninth most common cancer among women. Bladder cancer can be caused by exposure to toxic chemicals at Camp Lejeune.
Leukemia
Leukemia is a disease in which the bone marrow makes abnormal white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. There are three main types of leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
Most ALL cases are diagnosed in children and adolescents under 20 years old. Older adults can also be affected by this disease. Still, they tend to have a better outcome than children or young adults with the same diagnosis because their medical history is more likely to include previous chemotherapy treatments that improve survival rates.
The symptoms vary depending on your leukemia type. Some people may not show any signs, while others may experience severe symptoms caused by anemia and bleeding disorders. Treatment options include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or stem cell transplantation.
Conclusion
We hope this article has helped you understand the Camp Lejeune lawsuit. If you or a loved one was stationed at Camp Lejeune and were exposed to toxic chemicals and suffered from any of these diseases, you should consider filing a claim.
The law firms representing the plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit against the government have decades of experience helping victims of toxic exposure get their day in court. They will work with doctors around the country to prove that your illness was caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and other military bases across America.
