Camp Lejeune has been in the news a lot lately, and rightfully so. It faces mass tort litigation for exposing veterans, marines, families, civilian workers, and more to contaminated water. Were you affected? Read on and know that the Sharma Law Office can help you.
Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (CLJA) was signed on August 10, 2022. It declares that any individuals exposed to Camp Lejeune’s water for no less than 30 days from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, may file a lawsuit to obtain suitable relief for the harm caused by the camp’s water contamination.
What Caused the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination?
Cancer-related chemicals caused the Camp Lejeune NC water contamination, including:
- Benzene
- Trichloroethylene
- Perchloroethylene
- Vinyl chloride
These chemicals were discovered in Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace — Camp Lejeune’s two primary water treatment facilities.
Today the base water at Camp Lejeune is already safe for drinking, bathing, and use for other purposes.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Health-Related Problems
An individual’s Camp Lejeune water lawsuit is to provide them with appropriate relief after being affected by water contamination at the base. But how does someone know if they have been affected?
The water contamination Camp Lejeune was responsible for causing illness in many of those affected by it. Illnesses included:
- Cancer (of all kinds)
- Kidney disease
- Myelodysplastic syndrome (“MDS” or aplastic anemia)
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Scleroderma/systemic sclerosis
- Multiple myeloma
- Infertility/Miscarriage
- Hepatic steatosis
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Renal toxicity
How do you know if you qualify to file a lawsuit against Camp Lejeune?
Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuit
If you were exposed to the cancer-causing toxins in the Camp Lejeune water for more than 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, and suffered from the health problems listed above, you may qualify to file a claim.
Individuals and families have two years from when the Camp Lejeune Act of 2022 was passed to file a claim — or no later than August 10, 2024. If filed after the date, claimants may risk their claim being dismissed.
FAQs
Many people still have unanswered questions regarding the Camp Lejeune water lawsuit. Here are some of the most common ones.
What if my loved one has already passed away?
Those who have already passed away, regardless of when can still qualify to file a claim through their estate’s representative; the Camp Lejeune Act of 2022 waives the statute of limitations defense for a deceased’s family to recover if their loved one’s death was related to Camp Lejeune water poisoning.
Will this affect my VA benefits?
No, filing a claim will not affect your VA benefits. If you file a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA), it will not impact your disability benefits, widow(er), or other medical benefits.
Like other injury lawsuits, the law allows any amount of VA disability or Medicare/Medicaid benefits related to the illness to be offset by a Camp Lejeune lawsuit settlement or award. However, when the time comes, the government could agree to waive said offset.
Where will my case be filed?
Each claim must be filed with the Department of the Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) office. That office must deny the claim and act on it within six months, or you can file your claim in federal court in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Sharma Law Office Can Help You Get Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Settlement
At this point, no one knows what a Campe Lejeune lawsuit settlement will look like. As the CLJA is brand new litigation for a newborn statute, there’s some uncertainty about the future.
But the professionals at the Sharma Law Office professionals have experience litigating similar occupational disease cancer cases. Our team will educate you every step of the way while working for you and your family to obtain the relief you rightly deserve.
Do you think you qualify to file a claim against Camp Lejeune? Do you believe you’re eligible to participate in the Camp Lejeune lawsuit settlement? Then contact Sharma Law Office, located in Easton, PA, today, and get the appropriate relief you and your family deserve.