On August 10, 2022, President Biden signed the PACT Act (the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act), following the Senate’s approval of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act on August 2, 2022. This historic legislation will provide justice, as well as monetary compensation, to over one million residents and workers who were harmed by the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base in Jacksonville, North Carolina.
These people developed a number of serious health conditions, including leukemia – a form of cancer that affects the body’s blood-forming tissues. If you or your loved one is suffering from leukemia due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the federal government.
Already, we have been receiving the following question at our law firm from injury victims such as yourself:
“I was at Camp Lejeune and I have leukemia. What are the steps I need to take?”
This article will provide helpful information regarding your legal rights and the procedures for how to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit. However, you will need an experienced lawyer by your side in order to successfully file a claim and recover the damages you deserve. A lawyer for leukemia Camp Lejeune lawsuit is waiting to speak with you, so contact our office at your earliest convenience.
What is Leukemia?
Leukemia is a type of cancer that affects the blood-forming cells, primarily the white blood cells. Doctors generally agree that the disease occurs when something triggers the blood cells to mutate, i.e., change their DNA. This results in the bone marrow producing too many white blood cells, which compromises the body’s ability to ward off infections. .
Leukemia can happen due to genetic factors, but environmental issues can also be responsible, like exposure to dangerous chemicals. One such chemical is benzene, which according to Cancer.org, is commonly linked with patients that are diagnosed with leukemia. When someone is exposed to high levels of benzene, they often experience the following symptoms, which may be a sign of leukemia:
- Constant weakness or fatigue
- Fevers and chills
- Severe of frequent infections
- Unexplained weight loss
- Excessive bleeding / bruising
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Excessive sweating
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Bone pain / tenderness
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Petechiae (small, red spots on your skin)
Your treatment plan will depend on factors such as your age, health condition, and how far the leukemia has spread throughout your body. The most common treatments are chemotherapy and radiation, but newer options include (CAR)-T, or chimeric antigen receptor cell therapy. Your doctor may also put you on a donor registry so that you can be matched with someone whose healthy stem cells can replace your unhealthy cells.
Ultimately, being diagnosed with leukemia is devastating for the patient and their loved ones. If your leukemia diagnosis is the result of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, compensation is available to cover your financial and emotional losses. To learn more about the damages you can receive, speak with one of our attorneys during a free consultation.
Contaminants in the Water at Camp Lejeune
Between the years of 1953 and 1987, the drinking water at Camp Lejeune was contaminated by various harmful chemicals, which have been identified as:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC)
- Vinyl Chloride
- Benzene
As for where thee chemicals came from, there are many sources, including improper disposal of industrial waste. Another source of contamination were leaking fuel tanks, which leaked benzene (linked with increased risk of leukemia) into the groundwater. There was even a dry cleaner nearby that leaked tetrachloroethylene.
As a result, countless service members, contactors, civilians, and their families were exposed to these chemicals on a daily basis. It’s not surprising that so many of them developed serious illnesses like leukemia. Even worse, these victims were turned away when they asked for help from military officials.
Sadly, this is not the first time that the U.S. military chose to hide reports of health complications and death instead of taking reasonable measures to protect those under their charge. With the passage of the PACT Act, victims will finally have their day in court, and we are proud to join them in their fight for justice.
Am I Eligible for a Camp Lejeune Leukemia Lawsuit?
To qualify for a Camp Lejeune personal injury claim, you must have been a resident or worker at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between the years of 1953 and 1987. Additionally, your separation from the military must not be the result of dishonorable discharge. These same conditions apply to deceased victims if their family members want to pursue a lawsuit on their behalf.
Considering how fat these cases go back, it can be tough to find evidence that will prove your eligibility for damages. Here are some resources that can help you in a Camp Lejeune leukemia lawsuit:
- Service records from the U.S. military
- Housing records
- Paperwork from the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs
- Pay stubs / employment records
- Medical bills for treatments / rehabilitative services
- Documents from health insurance companies
These may not be the only forms of evidence we can find to support your claim. However, evidence in cases that occurred long ago takes time and effort to uncover. That’s why it’s essential to consult one of our attorneys right away. We are standing by to assist you, so please give us a call as soon as possible.
Where is the Lawsuit Filed?
Regardless of where you are located, all Camp Lejeune lawsuits must be filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This can be complicated enough, but there will be plenty of other issues that you may have trouble navigating, which is common in mass lawsuits involving the federal government. Our attorneys will guide you every step of the way and make sure that your paperwork is filed according to the procedures set by the PACT Act.
Is there a Time Period to File a Lawsuit?
Yes, according to the PACT Act, you will have two years from the signing date of August 10, 2022 to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit if you’ve been diagnosed with leukemia. Or, you have until a future date when you receive a diagnosis to bring a lawsuit for compensation. If you are a family member of a Camp Lejeune leukemia victim, your window of time to file a lawsuit is two years from August 10, 2022.
It takes time to gather the necessary proof and assemble a solid case for damages, so please contact us right away to get started on a claim. If you miss the 2-year deadline, you will most likely lose the right to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
What is the Average Case Value for Leukemia Cancer Diagnosis Camp Lejeune Lawsuits?
At this point, it’s not possible to say what the average claimant will receive from a Camp Lejeune lawsuit. However, we can get an idea from previous settlements involving similar lawsuits. In mass tort cases involving gross negligence like what happened at Camp Lejeune, it’s not unusual to see settlements in the range of $300,000 and above. A good deal of these funds will compensate the victim for medical expenses, but we also have to think about the wages they’ve lost and will continue to lose as a result of their diagnosis. Additionally, we need to factor in the emotional damage when someone is dealing with a severe illness that was caused by another party’s negligence.
These are just some of the issues we will go over in order to determine a fair of compensation for your case. Then, we will file an injury or wrongful death claim on your behalf and fight vigorously to recover your settlement award.
Should I join a Class Action Lawsuit or Should I File my Own Individual Lawsuit?
We mentioned that over 1 million people were affected by contaminants in the water supply at Camp Lejeune between the years of 1953 to 1987. It stands to reason that there are many others who have developed leukemia due to their exposure to toxic chemicals. While there is no class action on these cases currently, it’s certainly a possibility based on the potential number of victims.
Our lawyers can help you if you’re interested in starting a Camp Lejeune class action lawsuit or joining a future class action. Then again, it may be in your best interest to file a personal injury lawsuit on your own. We can go over the pros and cons of each legal action and help you make an informed decision. To join a class action lawsuit or file a single action injury claim, please schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.
How long does it take to Settle these Cases?
We understand the importance of receiving your payment as soon as possible. That’s our ultimate goal here at Normandie Law Firm, where we will do our best to settle you case within 6 to 8 months. However, there’s no denying that certain cases are more complicated than others. It’s also worth noting that the federal agency in charge of these cases may be dealing with hundreds of thousands of claims in the upcoming months. With that in mind, it’s possible that you lawsuit can take 2 or more years to resolve, especially if your case goes to trial.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation
Considering the life-altering consequences of leukemia, it is unacceptable that so many victims were denied the care and benefits they deserved from the U.S. military. Even worse, these cases were preventable, but military officials engaged in a blatant cover up to hide reports of illness and death. But they can no longer deny their negligence and misconduct, thanks to the passage of the PACT Act.
However, these cases have many complicated rules and procedures, which is to be expected when you’re going up against a federal agency. The attorneys of Normandie have the skill and experience you need to succeed in a Camp Lejeune injury or wrongful death lawsuit. As a sign of our commitment to you and your family, we will take on your case at no cost to you. With our Zero fee guarantee, our fees are recovered as a part of your settlement, so the only way we get paid is if you get paid.
If you’re ready to take action in a leukemia lawsuit due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune, contact our office and schedule a free consultation.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
What is the Value of My Camp Lejeune Case
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Cancer Lawyer
Lawyer for Renal Toxicity Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
