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North Carolina Lawyers for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits

For decades from 1953 to 1987, veterans, their families, and workers at the base were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune from. Unfortunately, there had been limited options for securing just compensation. Federal laws specifically limited the compensation available to those diagnosed with cancers and other medical conditions as a result of drinking contaminated water at the historical Marine Corps Base in Jacksonville, NC.  President Biden signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 into law on Wednesday, August 10, 2022. Now you can file a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit with the help of our knowledgeable camp lejeune water contamination lawyer.

If you have or have had specific health problems potentially caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you have likely encountered many roadblocks when seeking benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This is unfortunate, and it is important to know that you are not alone. An investigation conducted in 2018 found that the VA had denied 89 percent of all disability claims involving “evidence of an association with the contaminants in the water” at Camp Lejeune. A more recent study also found that the VA has been relying on “subject matter experts” who “lacked expertise in the relevant medical fields” over the last decade. Further, non-veterans, such as dependents and base workers, were previously not eligible for benefits or damages for injuries.

Let Martin & Jones Help Assert Your Legal Rights With A Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

Fortunately, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 will provide veterans and families affected by water contamination not only with increased access to compensation but with access to increased compensation as well.

Now that the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 is law, individuals exposed to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune during the relevant time period will be able to file claims for damages with the federal government. These claims for damages can—and should—include compensation above and beyond the disability benefits that most claimants are currently struggling to obtain from the VA. Therefore, the Camp Lejeune claims will not affect current VA benefits. In addition, families who have lost loved ones will also be eligible to file claims.

To file a claim under the new law, veterans and family members may need experienced legal representation. Claimants must file in Federal North Carolina court and prove that they are entitled to compensation and how much they are entitled to recover. At Martin & Jones, we are proud to have represented military servicemembers and their loved ones for more than 40 years. Our experienced Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers rely on decades of experience to recover the compensation our clients deserve. 

5 Key Requirements to File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, there are five main requirements that veterans and their family members must meet to file a successful Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. These requirements are that you must:

1. Have Been Exposed to Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune During the Relevant Time Period

Compensation is only available to individuals and families dealing with the effects of water contamination at Camp Lejeune between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. Claimants must be able to establish that they (or their loved ones) were exposed to contaminated drinking water for at least 30 days during this time period.

2. Have Been Diagnosed with Cancer or Another Verified Medical Condition Linked to Contaminated Drinking Water Exposure

Unlike the disability benefits currently available through the VA, compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 is available to anyone who can establish “one or more relationships between the water at Camp Lejeune and the harm” they or their loved ones have endured.

This broad language is intended to maximize the number of eligible individuals and families to receive compensation under the new law. Some examples of medical conditions that have been linked to Camp Lejeune water contamination include:

• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Female infertility
• Hepatic steatosis
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Lung cancer
• Miscarriage
• Multiple myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Neurobehavioral effects
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Renal toxicity
• Scleroderma
• And more…

Again, these are just examples. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer or any serious medical condition that you believe may be linked to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, you should speak with a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer about your legal rights.

3. File in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 only allows claims to be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This court is located in Raleigh, NC.

Our firm has offices in Raleigh, Wilmington, and Durham, North Carolina, and we can represent clients both locally and remotely. So if you have a claim, we can help you and arrange for you to speak with one of our experienced lawyers about your Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit as soon as possible. 

4. You Have a Limited Time to File

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 includes a statute of limitations for water contamination claims. However, it is complicated; therefore, the sooner you can file, the better.  

Additionally, an individual must exhaust their administrative remedies before filing a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit. Once an individual receives a final administrative denial, they have 180 days to file in court.

5. Meet the Burden of Proof

To recover compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, individuals and families must present evidence that is either:

• “Sufficient to conclude that a causal relationship exists; or
• “Sufficient to conclude that a causal relationship is at least as likely as not.”

In other words, simply filing a claim is not enough. Claimants will need clear evidence of their right to compensation, which may include studies, medical records, and various other forms of documentation. In addition, claimants will need evidence that proves the long-term costs of their (or their loved ones’) medical conditions are linked to the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit as well.

FAQs When Filing A Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022

What Medical Conditions Does the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 Cover?

The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 covers all medical conditions linked to contaminated drinking water exposure. Cancer is most prominently featured in the Camp LeJeune data, but other illnesses and harm include neurological disorders, infertility and miscarriages, and myelodysplastic syndromes, among many others.

Is There a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Class Action Lawsuit?

Each Camp Lejeune water contamination claim is its own lawsuit. Therefore, all individuals interested in seeking compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 will need to speak with a lawyer about independently asserting their legal rights.

Can I File a Claim Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 if I Already Received VA Disability Benefits?

Yes, you can file a claim under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 if you have already received VA disability benefits. The amount of money you receive for VA disability benefits will not change. 

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer to File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?

It will cost you nothing in attorneys fees or expenses to file a claim unless we recover for you. Our firm handles all claims involving water contamination at Camp Lejeune on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will never receive a bill for our services. You only pay an attorney fee via a percentage of your claim if we recover for you on your claim. In any case, you will not have to pay anything out of pocket, and we will only collect a fee once we help you recover just compensation.

Can I File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim if I (or My Child) Was Exposed In Utero?

Yes, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 covers anyone who “resided, worked, or was otherwise exposed (including in utero exposure)” to contaminated water at the Marine Corps base in Jacksonville, NC. If you were exposed in utero during the relevant time period, or if your child was exposed during the applicable time period and is unable to file a lawsuit on their behalf, you should consult with a lawyer about filing a claim for damages.

Schedule a Free Consultation with a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyer

If you need to know more about filing a claim for water contamination at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, we encourage you to contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation. We handle various claims filed by military members and can help you understand your options and pursue all claims you have available. To speak with a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer in confidence as soon as possible, call 800-662-1234 or request an appointment online today.

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