On August 10th of 2022, President Biden signed the ‘Honoring our PACT Act of 2022’ into law. The Act brings hope to almost one million people who were exposed to the effects of the Camp Lejeune water contamination while serving their country. Exposure is linked with an increased risk of serious medical conditions, including:
- Aplastic anemia
- Birth disorders
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility
- Hepatic steatosis
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Ovarian and cervical cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Parkinson’s disease
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
What does the New Act Mean for People Exposed to Toxic Water At the Camp?
Because of the new law, military and civilian personnel and their families who lived at the camp between August 1953 and December 1987 can now file civil lawsuits against the federal government for the harm caused.
If you or a loved one lived or visited the camp at the time and were exposed to contaminated drinking water, you could recover compensation for the health conditions listed. Our trial lawyers want to see that justice is served and restitution is brought and are currently providing free consultations where you can check and see if you qualify to join our mass tort lawsuit.
What Is a Camp Lejeune Toxic Water Mass Tort Lawsuit?
A mass tort is a type of legal action that occurs when many people are injured on a large scale through the negligence of another party. In this case, that party is the U.S federal government. The new Act enables us to pursue compensation on behalf of people who developed serious illnesses after being exposed to the effects of the Camp Lejeune water contamination.
Strength in Numbers: The Benefits of a Mass Tort
Filing a lawsuit against a powerful entity is costly for individuals to pursue alone. One of the mass tort’s main benefits is allowing people to come together and share the resources and costs associated with the legal process. While the allegations will likely be similar for all of the injured parties in the tort, the damages claimed are still tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.
What Compensation Is Available for Injuries Related to Exposure at the Camp?
It is alleged that the Marine Corps knowingly allowed marines and civilians to be exposed to the contaminated water at the camp by:
- Failing to act on warnings from the Army Environmental Hygiene Agency about the contaminants in the water
- Falsifying reports to the Environmental Protection Agency stating there were no contaminants in the water at the camp
As such, the Congressional Budget Office estimates a treasury fund of around $6 billion will be needed to cover settlement payouts and legal expenses to support the victims of Camp Lejeune.
Claimants will be eligible to recover compensation for various financial damages. However, the amounts awarded to each individual will vary, depending on their unique circumstances. Claimants can include Veterans and their dependents and family, civilian workers and their families, and dependents of a deceased Veteran or civilian worker. As a general guide, economic and non-economic damages can be awarded for:
- The cost of medical bills, treatment, and rehabilitation (past, current, and anticipated)
- Lost wages and compensation if the claimant’s ability to work is affected in the future
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Disability and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Further, you can also file if you are currently receiving VA benefits. However, these benefits may decrease the amount awarded by the lawsuit.
Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death And Survival Actions
The Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 allows wrongful death and survival actions to be brought on behalf of former residents and employees at Camp Lejeune. This means close family members may be able to pursue financial damages, which include:
- Medical expenses before your loved one’s passing
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of the victim’s expected earnings
- Loss of companionship, guidance, comfort, and consortium
- Funeral expenses
Our trial attorneys can help you determine the types of recoverable damages available, gather the evidence required to support your case, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How Do I Know If I Qualify for Compensation?
You will likely qualify if you meet the following criteria:
- You lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987
- You or a loved one were exposed to the contaminated water supply for 30 days or more
- You or a loved one developed a qualifying injury or illness
Our legal team is standing by to help you evaluate your claim and provide advice about the next steps.
How Much does It Cost to Join a Mass Tort Lawsuit?
At the Law Offices of Anidjar & Levine, we provide our legal services on a no-win, no-fee basis. This means there are no up-front or out-of-pocket expenses to pay. Instead, we finance the cost of building and pursuing your case, so you have no financial risk. We will only seek payment when we recover monetary compensation for the harm you or a loved one suffered.
Mass Torts Are Complex Litigation Matters. It’s Time to Let Us Fight for You
Because everyone we represent has unique circumstances, we take great care to understand how the toxic water at Camp Lejeune has affected your life, work, and family. We know it may seem daunting to file a lawsuit, so we manage this legal responsibility for you by:
- Determining your eligibility to file a claim in a free case review
- Financing the cost of building and pursuing your case
- Gathering and organizing the evidence required to prove your case
- Filing the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit accurately and in time
- Calculating the full extent of your or your loved one’s financial damages
- Negotiating for an appropriate settlement offer
- Representing you in court, where necessary
To find out if you have a potential Camp Lejeune toxic water lawsuit for an illness or death of a loved one, contact us for a free consultation and learn about your legal options.
