While the US is among the environmentally-conscious nations, it hardly means Americans have never faced disasters. The country has a fair share of horror stories of oil spills, forest fires, industrial accidents, and other ecological disasters. The Camp Lejeune toxic water disaster is one of the most catastrophic environmental events in the history of the US.
Millions of residents of the area were exposed to deadly chemicals in the residential water supply. Many bear the pain and suffering caused by disease and losing their loved ones even decades after the disaster. Fortunately, President Joe Biden has passed sweeping legislation to help victims and families, providing long-awaited legal recourse for the justice they deserve.
Anyone dealing with the aftermath of toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune can seek justice, but it is vital to understand whether you have a valid claim. Let us explain the facts determining whether your claim is legit.
A Historical Overview of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has been gathering data to analyze the water contamination at treatment plants located at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. The facilities at the Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point supplied water laced with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the area from 1953 to 1987.
TorHoerman Law quotes the estimates showing that more than a million people have borne the brunt of exposure to VOCs in the water at Camp Lejeune. The health impact of exposure is severe, from causing cancer, kidney disease, and several other serious medical conditions to affecting fertility and damaging fetal health. Victims and their families also struggle with mental trauma and financial suffering.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act is a savior for victims and family members as it empowers them to file compensation claims. The value will cover the cost of medical treatment, wage losses, and pain and suffering. Although money can never pay for your health or a loved one, financial compensation and justice give you peace of mind.
Who Can File a Valid Camp Lejeune Claim?
Until now, the number of victims qualifying for a Camp Lejeune claim is staggering. You can imagine that, with more than one million victims sustaining the after-effects of exposure to benzene, vinyl chloride, PCE (Tetrachloroethylene), and TCE (Trichloroethylene). All these people may actually be eligible for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
The criteria the U.S. government outlines states the criteria for a valid claim, which include:
- Anyone who lived or worked at the base for 30 days or more from August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and
- Anyone suffering from one or more of the qualifying adverse health conditions
Besides active duty service members of the forces, their spouses, children, and other family members residing at Camp Lejeune during the same period can file a claim. On-base workers, babies exposed in utero, and family members of deceased loved ones can also seek justice under the act.
Additionally, the days counted to calculate eligibility are cumulative, not consecutive. It means you can file a claim if you or a loved one stayed at the site for a total of thirty days at different times during the said period.
Filing Deadline for Camp Lejeune Lawsuits
Besides understanding the eligibility criteria for Camp Lejeune lawsuits, you also need to know the deadlines for these claims. The government has given a two-year deadline for filing a lawsuit, beginning from the date of the Honoring Our PACT Act, signed on August 10, 2022. It means you can bring up a claim by August 10, 2024.
While that sounds like a long time now, you may end up falling short when it comes to putting together a strong case. You need to hire an attorney, file the required paperwork, and gather evidence to establish a fair claim in court.
The sooner you start the filing process, the better. If you are worried about the cost of hiring an attorney, consider one that works on a contingency fee basis. You will have to pay only after getting the compensation.
The Bottom Line
The Camp Lejeune disaster is an instance of gross negligence by the authorities who failed to pay attention to toxic water reaching homes and affecting the residents’ health. Although the wrongdoing cannot be undone, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is an initiative to reduce the pain and financial burden of the victims.
If you or a loved one has suffered due to exposure at the camp, you must not miss out on the justice and compensation you deserve. Check these facts and file a claim before it is too late.
