Water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River was contaminated by several harmful substances and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for decades.
Over 70 different contaminants took over Camp Lejeune, such as tetrachloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), vinyl chloride, benzene, and several others which are leaching unregulated into the water supply.
The main sources of contamination at Camp Lejeune are identified as the following water treatment plants:
- Hadnot Point Treatment Plant
- Tarawa Terrace Treatment Plant
As a result of the event, President Biden signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act after it passed both chambers of the House.
Denied Claims And VA Benefits
Health care and disability benefits have been denied to veterans and family members at Camp Lejeune due to contaminated drinking water exposure. A prior US Navy policy was to deny all civil claims related to contamination at Camp Lejeune to "free everyone to pursue their own course of action" to avoid the responsibility of exposing the nation's bravest to some of the most toxic water in the world. Only about 25% of claims were approved by the VA, according to Reveal, an investigative news outlet.
Camp Lejeune Justice Act (Part Of The Honoring Our PACT Act Of 2022)
Recently passed by the Senate and Congress, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act is new legislation included in the Honoring Our PACT Act, which President Biden signed. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows people exposed to toxic substances in the Camp Lejeune water between 1953 and 1987 to sue and receive compensation.
Numerous Camp Lejeune victims died due to a North Carolina statute that prohibits legal action against government agencies. As a result of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, these restrictions will be overridden, and victims will be able to seek compensation and new health benefits.
Honoring Our PACT Act
Veterans exposed to toxic substances during their military service may qualify for new healthcare benefits under the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act.
As many as 3.5 million veterans are expected to benefit from the PACT Act, including those exposed at Camp Lejeune, in military burn pits, and in countless other situations where toxic chemicals were present.
What Are The Average Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Settlement Amounts?
Depending on the injuries sustained, the diagnosis, the time spent at the base, and other factors, the settlement amount for each case may vary. The settlements from lawsuits will also include any damages incurred, such as medical bills, income losses, pain and suffering, emotional damages, etc.
For individuals exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, settlement amounts can be substantial depending on their injuries, diagnoses, and evidence available. In other words, it's too early to calculate the average settlement amount for the Camp Lejeune Water Lawsuit at this stage.
You should collect all evidence relevant to your case and have an attorney determine the damages incurred in order to give yourself the best chance for a fair settlement.
Gathering Evidence For A Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
Former Camp Lejeune residents seeking compensation likely need evidence to support their claims since it is the foundation for all lawsuits. In the case of a contamination lawsuit relating to Camp Lejeune Water, the following evidence may be relevant:
- Diagnoses and records of medical treatment
- Expenses related to medical care
- Service records from the military
- Proof of residency at Camp Lejeune
- Records of your travels
- Benefits provided by the VA
Assessing Damages For A Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
After you have collected key evidence, Camp Lejeune lawyers will assist you in refining your claim and assessing damages. Defendants are responsible for paying damages to the plaintiff as recompense for any damage that they have caused to the plaintiff. Among the possible damages that may be awarded in a lawsuit relating to water contamination at Camp Lejeune are:
- Bills and costs associated with medical treatments and medical bills
- Pain and suffering endured as a result of the accident
- Lost wages as a result of unemployment
- Benefits for persons with disabilities
- Loss of companionship, a sense of community, enjoyment of life, and the ability to earn
- Disabilities that have a permanent nature
- Cost of future medical care
Camp Lejeune Settlement Budget
Based on a cost estimate released by the CBO, the Honoring Our PACT Act is projected to cost $667 billion over its 10-year lifespan. Approximately $6.7 billion is estimated to be paid out by Camp Lejeune in settlements and legal fees.
How The Settlement Amounts Might Be Calculated
Several factors will determine camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts. Depending on the severity of your injuries and exposure, an attorney can assist you in calculating your damages.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Payout
A grid system is expected to govern Camp Lejeune Water Contamination payout. It is still early in the process, but we can currently classify Camp Lejeune cancers, diseases, and symptoms according to their severity.
Camp Lejeune Cancer Types – Tier 1
- Bladder Cancer
- Multiple Myeloma
- Liver Cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Breast Cancer
- Leukemia
- Kidney Cancer
- Esophageal Cancer
Camp Lejeune Cancers and Diseases – Tier 2
- Lung Cancer
- Cervical Cancer
- Prostate Cancer
- Brain Cancer
- Aplastic Anemia
- Colon Cancer
- Ovarian Cancer
More scientific evidence has been gathered linking the individual cancers listed in Tier 1 to the contaminated toxic water at Camp Lejeune. In light of the various studies conducted on toxic Camp Lejeune water, Camp Lejeune victims, and peer-reviewed medical literature examining the effects of TCE, PCE, benzene, and vinyl chloride exposure on humans, it is strongly believed (with some exceptions) that a Tier 1 cancer case would command the largest settlements or jury verdicts.
The contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune regularly exposed residents to those chemicals. A jury verdict of over $1,000,000.00 could be awarded to many Tier 1 cancer claims.
Due to the lack of definitive medical literature and studies on the contaminated water, a Tier 2 Camp Lejeune cancer will simply face greater scrutiny. Those with Camp Lejeune cancer in Tier 2 are also very important. Due to anticipated unreasonable settlement offers, it is likely that more of these claims will eventually be tried before a jury. Moreover, it is estimated that Tier 2 cancers will have settlement values ranging from $250,000 to $500,000. The Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit will likely affect many cancer patients with Tier 2 cancers in the near future.
A Camp Lejeune lawyer with experience in handling compensation cases will be able to determine the amount of compensation you deserve on your behalf and take the steps necessary to secure your compensation.
To learn more about the things to consider when hiring a veterans disability lawyer, check out this article by Disability Help.
