Over one million military members, their families, and civilian workers lived and worked at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, drinking, cooking, and bathing in severely contaminated water. Several cancers, congenital disabilities, Parkinson’s disease, infertility, and kidney problems have been associated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other harmful chemicals.
There have been disability benefits and medical coverage offered by the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in connection with Camp Lejeune water contamination for several years. Until now, victims could not seek base legal Camp Lejeune compensation for their pain, suffering, and other damages.
As part of his commitment to addressing comprehensive toxics, President Biden signed the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 into law on August 10, 2022. Among the provisions of this Act is the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA) of 2022, which addresses specifically those who served at Camp Lejeune and were:
- Susceptible to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and
- Injured as a result of drinking (or exposing themselves to) contaminated water
The Office of the Judge Advocate General of the Navy’s Tort Claims Unit (TCU) in Norfolk, VA, may be able to assist such individuals in filing base legal Camp Lejeune NC claims. In the event of the death of a loved one exposed to toxins, affected people or family members can sue the government or file a wrongful death lawsuit.
How To Find The Right Camp Lejeune Legal Assistance
How to find a lawyer to represent you with Camp Lejeune legal assistance is one of the numerous things you need to know about filing a lawsuit against Camp Lejeune. This article will provide tips and strategies to find the best Camp Lejeune attorney for your water contamination lawsuit.
What To Consider When Hiring A Lawyer
The US government may be liable for this tragedy’s devastating effects if a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit is filed against them. There was a cover-up of the contamination for years, and no one protected those who lived and worked there.
When the authorities detected toxins in the Camp Lejeune water wells, they should have acted urgently and taken steps to address the problem as soon as possible. However, they were slow to act when toxins were found in the Camp Lejeune water wells due to improper disposal of solvents.
Those affected by water contamination at Camp Lejeune must file their claims only two years after the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was signed. You have limited time to make a claim, so selecting a law firm that can represent you effectively is crucial.
When choosing a Camp Lejeune lawyer, there are several things to consider and questions to ask to ensure they will do everything they can to help you receive the compensation you deserve.
Free Consultation
In most cases, you do not have to pay to get an initial review of your Camp Lejeune legal services case from a personal injury attorney. It would be best if you took advantage of the free consultations offered by lawyers because the work they do for you is very personal, and you need to feel comfortable and confident in the lawyer you hire.
If you need to hire a lawyer, ensure you have a list of questions (see below for suggestions) and are comfortable with the lawyer’s abilities. From the beginning to the end of the Camp Lejeune lawsuit process, ask how frequently you’ll be updated or consulted by the lawyer and their team.
It would help if you also asked what your responsibilities are. What information do you need to provide for a successful Camp Lejeune water contamination claim?
Legal Fees
There shouldn’t be any upfront fees charged by the law firm you hire. It would be better if they only got paid if you did. Any contract or agreement should have a clear statement regarding its fees. They usually charge a percentage of any settlement amount or jury award.
Related Experience
Once the CLJA takes effect, there will be an influx of lawsuits claiming the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune caused harm. Defendants must prove that an illness suffered by plaintiffs led to their deaths or that it is “at least as likely as not” that a connection exists. You should find a Camp Lejeune lawyer with experience dealing with cases like these to help you with this.
There are different areas of law that lawyers specialize in. Generally, these are referred to as practice areas. Toxic exposure or water contamination cases are common in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits against Camp Lejeune.
Medical documentation and expert witnesses are necessary for these lawsuits to prove your claim and receive fair compensation. Water contamination and toxic exposure is a complex topic with many legal complexities. In a Camp Lejeune water lawsuit, the attorney representing you should have experience with similar cases and be able to demonstrate success.
When hiring a Camp Lejeune lawyer, you should consider their trial experience. There aren’t all personal injury attorneys who go to court, but your suit may end up there if a Camp Lejeune settlement can’t be reached, so you need someone who can handle a trial.
Client Reviews
The internet offers the opportunity to see other people’s experiences with a company or brand, as well as individual lawyers and law firms. Even though many firms display testimonials on their websites, those testimonials and quotes will always be positive.
The reviews are worth reading, but you should also check out Google or another search engine for reviews and see what else comes up about the firm you are considering. The lawyer representing you must be able to begin working on your case right away since there’s only a two-year window to file a claim for water contamination at Camp Lejeune. You should file a Camp Lejeune claim as soon as possible.
Resources
The law firm you hire must do a lot of work to build a strong case and win you the compensation you deserve for your injuries. As part of your free consultation, ask the firm what resources it intends to leverage to position your Camp Lejeune lawsuit for a successful outcome.
To prove that the harm suffered was caused by exposure to volatile organic compounds or other toxins found on the base, one must hire expert witnesses and collect appropriate evidence, such as medical reports.
Details Of The Contract
It is a good idea to ask any lawyer you intend to hire about the details of their client contract before you hire them to assist you with a lawsuit regarding Camp Lejeune water contamination before you hire them. They should be able to answer your questions about the agreement openly and honestly if you have any.
Please make sure you understand the legal fees that will be owed to you by your lawyer (nothing upfront and only if you are successful). You must seek the assistance of another lawyer if you feel your current lawyer is evading your questions or concealing something from you.
Damage Amounts
When determining how much compensation victims should receive, an experienced attorney will consider many factors. It would help if you also considered your immediate/current financial needs for medical coverage and the impact of the harm you have suffered on your family’s future.
Compensation for the damages sustained in a Camp Lejeune lawsuit goes beyond medical bills, and includes compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, and lost enjoyment of life.
Filing Your Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit
If you are a Camp Lejeune resident and have been exposed to toxic water due to the actions or inactions of the government, you deserve compensation for those injuries. Due to the passage of the PACT Act, those exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune, as well as their families and friends, now have two years to file a claim.
Claims filed under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act should be filed with the Office of the Justice Advocate General (JAG) of the Navy’s Tort Claims Unit, which is responsible for handling such claims. Civil lawsuits may be filed with the US District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina if the claim is denied or does not settle. If you receive VA disability benefits or support, you may still be able to file a Camp Lejeune claim.
If you are considering filing a Camp Lejeune claim, you must seek the advice and representation of a qualified attorney as soon as possible. Are you interested in learning more? Check out our article on the Camp Lejeune contaminated water lawsuit timeline.
To read about different types of disability and the associated cash compensation for the affectees of Camp Lejuene water contamination or learn more about different grants and programs that can help you with your living situation, check out the rest of Gov Relations’ blog section today!
