It’s estimated that as many as 1 million people – or even more – may have been exposed to contaminated water at the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC between 1953-1987, and suffered severe health problems as a result. Recent legislation has made it possible for those harmed at Camp Lejeune to take legal action, potentially obtaining a substantial amount of compensation from a mass settlement.
The McEwen Law Firm may be able to help if you either served or stayed at the base during this time period. We have a great deal of experience in cases such as this, and we have a long list of satisfied clients. If you would like to schedule a free evaluation of your case, please give us a call at (800) 732-3070 or contact us online.
Understanding the Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
For more than 30 years, people who served at Camp Lejeune or worked at the base drank, bathed and used water that was severely contaminated. A dry cleaner located near the base dumped solvents containing harmful chemicals into the drains that fed into water treatment facilities. One of the chemicals, perchloroethylene (PCE), is a known carcinogen. Testing of Camp Lejeune’s water supply showed PCE levels that were far more than the maximum allowed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Do I Qualify for a Camp Lejeune Settlement?
In order to know for sure whether you would qualify to obtain compensation, you should speak to an experienced Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer. But if you either served at the base or lived there for at least 30 days during the years 1953-1987, and you suffered severe health problems associated with water contamination, there’s a very good chance you will be able to take action.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is part of the Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, which was signed into law by President Biden on August 2, 2022. This opens the door for not only service members, but also their family members, contractors and others to seek compensation for severe illnesses they developed due to contaminated water.
There is sound scientific evidence showing that the chemicals in Camp Lejeune’s water not only cause several types of cancer, but also neurological issues, infertility, birth defects and more.
How Much Compensation Should I Expect?
We can’t stress enough how important it is to be very leery of any attorney who, without having all the facts as they pertain to your specific case, promises that you’ll get a certain amount of money.
However, there is a chance that many settlement amounts could reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. If someone has been diagnosed with certain types of cancers, such as bladder, liver or kidney cancer, they may be eligible to receive more compensation. The reason is the scientific data linking those cancers to chemicals found in the water at Camp Lejeune is stronger. It’s estimated that settlement payouts and legal expenses could reach as high as nearly $7 billion.
Compensation for Toxic Water Exposure
The health effects of exposure to contaminated water are devastating. Not only are people at a much higher risk for many different forms of cancer, they could also suffer neurological issues that are so severe they may not be able to concentrate. They may even experience significant changes in behavior.
But just because you experienced health difficulties, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll automatically receive a large amount of money. You’re going to need to provide solid proof your condition is a direct result of chemical exposure. That’s where an experienced attorney will come into play. At The McEwen Law Firm, we have that experience. In fact, we’ve helped clients in a wide range of cases involving exposure to dangerous chemicals, as well as harmful drugs and defective products. These include the following:
- Paraquat exposure
- Zostavax
- CPAP machines
- Takata airbags
- Elmiron
- And others
An attorney with our firm will listen to the details of your case. If we believe we can help, we will then thoroughly investigate to find a definitive link between your health problems and the time you spent at Camp Lejeune. We’ll then determine the most effective strategy to help you get every penny you deserve.
Compensation for Medical Care
You may also be able to obtain medical care through the Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 (CCLFA). This act entitles not only veterans, but also their family members to medical treatment through the Veterans Administration (VA). But the CCLFA may also make it possible for you to obtain compensation for the medical care you’ve already received due to toxic exposure.
Disability Benefits
If you’ve been diagnosed with a health condition directly related to contaminated Camp Lejeune water, you may also qualify for disability compensation through the VA. The conditions eligible for this compensation include:
- Kidney, liver and bladder cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Aplastic anemia
- And more
Obtaining this compensation, however, will be a very complex undertaking. You’re going to need the help of an experienced attorney to have your best chance.
Average Settlement Amount for Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
No settlement amounts have been made public as of this writing. However, there is a chance that settlements could be as much as $500,000, or possibly more. Factors that will determine the amount you may obtain include how long you were exposed to the contaminated water, proof of the economic losses you’ve suffered due to your illness, and whether or not the VA has denied any Camp Lejeune-related benefits you’ve applied for in the past.
Contact US Drug Lawsuit to Learn More
Even if you are 100% certain your health problems are a direct result of toxic Camp Lejeune water, you’re still going to need an attorney by your side in order to obtain full and fair compensation. You’ll be taking action against the U.S. government – and it will be impossible for you to succeed if you don’t have experienced legal representation.
That’s exactly what you’ll get when you turn to The McEwen Law Firm. Schedule a free consultation by using our online contact form or calling (800) 732-3070.