The U.S. government enacted the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 to give residents of the base a pathway to obtaining compensation for their injuries and ailments resulting from water contamination. Any service member, family, worker, or other personnel on the base for over 30 days between 1953 and 1987 can file a claim. North Carolina state law currently does not allow this kind of action. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is federal legislation that will enable individuals to file a claim through a personal injury or mass tort action against the U.S. Government. Once the cases are filed, the court will consolidate them in the U.S. District Court Eastern District of North Carolina.
Who can file a claim under this act?
Thousands of military personnel and family members were affected by contaminated water and can file a claim. Service members are the parties that had the highest exposure, but the military base had many other civilians that suffered lifelong illnesses and injuries. Many of these conditions are life-altering and result in birth defects. There is a special provision within the bill for fetuses in-utero at the time of exposure which is very complex. The key is to show you were residing at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 days during the three decades the water was being contaminated.
What you need to file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit
Since the basis of the water contamination claim is that victims were residing on the base at the time of the contamination, there will be some vital evidence to present. Some of the evidence you will need for your Camp Lejeune water contamination claim include:
- Medical bills
- Medical records showing a diagnosis of an ailment or condition
- Military service records showing residency at Camp Lejeune
- Other documents showing Camp Lejeune residency
- Travel record
- Disability benefit records
- Veterans Administration benefits documents
While we understand many of these cases were decades ago, evidence shows you suffered an illness from water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
Liability under the act
Every personal injury case will have a defendant or liable party. Any entity that contributed to the water contamination which led to injury or medical condition will be a defendant in these cases. For Camp Lejeune, the defendants will include the federal government, water treatment plants, regulatory agencies, and other government agencies. While there are parties that will be in every lawsuit, there are others that may be specific to your case. Working with your Camp Lejeune water contamination attorney is vital to determine the other defendants in your case.
Potential damages
Through the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, you will be able to get compensation for the damages you sustained from your medical condition, such as:
- Disability benefits
- Medical bills
- Permanent disability benefits
- Lost wages and the ability to earn a living
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life and companionship
While the cases are federal, you will need a Camp Lejeune Water contamination attorney to decipher the compensation your circumstances require. Service members who were on base with their families have the option for individual family members to file a claim.
Call a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer
Service members enlist to protect everyone in the country. The water at Camp Lejeune had toxic chemicals that cause cancer. Service members, their families, and other staff on the base were unaware of the poisonous water. Everyone drank the water, used it for laundry, and took showers, among other essentials. A service member’s last fear is getting cancer from the water on base.
The negligent parties responsible for this heinous act must pay for their actions. You and your family have suffered enough. If you were on Camp Lejeune between 19553 and 1987 and have suffered a medical condition, you must file a compensation claim today. Contact the Camp Lejeune water contamination attorney from Kwartler Manus, LLC at (267) 457-5570 to get started on your case today.