The details of the water contamination at Camp Lejeune are still being uncovered. What is known is that multiple types of cancer, including bladder cancer, have been linked to exposure to these water sources.
So many people have been exposed, and the effects have been so terrible, that a new bill called the Camp Lejeune Justice Act has been introduced to help victims of the toxic water exposure get compensated for their damages.
People who were exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune and who have since developed bladder cancer may have legal options. You can hire a personal injury attorney to help you file a lawsuit and seek justice for the harm you have endured.
Can Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lead To Bladder Cancer?
At least 15 different types of cancer have been linked to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. One of these types of cancer is bladder cancer.
Anyone stationed at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 who now has bladder cancer should look into filing a lawsuit.
Thousands of people who were exposed to the water at Camp Lejeune have reported struggling with cancer and other health problems.
The Link Between Bladder Cancer And Camp Lejeune Water
You might be wondering how exposure to the water at Camp Lejeune could cause health problems such as bladder cancer.
The water was found to contain several chemicals and compounds capable of causing cancer and other illnesses. A dry cleaner on the base used chemicals that leaked into the water source, and various water treatment plants, including Tarawa Terrace, on the base also contaminated the water.
The water at Camp Lejeune contained several volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are known carcinogens, including:
- Tetrachloroethylene: This toxic chemical is used mainly in dry cleaning operations.
- TCE (trichloroethylene): This chemical likely came from both the dry cleaning operation and the water treatment plants. It is mainly used to clean metal parts.
- DCE (trans-1,2-dichloroethylene): This chemical is mostly used in cleaning products and degreasers.
- PCE (perchloroethylene): This chemical is also used for dry cleaning and metal degreasing purposes.
- Vinyl chloride: This substance is used in the making of PVC pipes, wiring, and other items.
- Benzene: This is used to make plastics and nylon products.
Legal Options For People Affected By The Camp Lejeune Water Supply
Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuits are unique legal situations. They are made possible by a law which has already passed the U.S. House and Senate, and which President Biden is expected to sign into law soon.
The motion, called the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, is encompassed in a larger bill called the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022. It is meant to help people who were on active duty in the Marine Corps or Navy, and who lived at the base between 1953 and 1987, when the water was known to be contaminated.
The Act allows these people to file lawsuits against the liable party or parties to get compensation for their injuries and ailments that they have suffered as a result of the water contamination.
Typically, statutes of limitations and other laws would prevent people from filing a lawsuit so long after an incident occurred. The bill removes this barrier to legal action for this specific situation, giving people a two-year window to file a lawsuit against liable parties.
If you were an active duty member at the Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune from 1953-1987 and you are struggling with bladder cancer or another illness, you should reach out to a personal injury law firm like Florin|Roebig for help.
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Who Is Eligible To Start A Camp Lejeune Bladder Cancer Lawsuit?
Anyone who spent 30 days or more at Camp Lejeune between the years of 1953 and 1987 might have legal options once the PACT Act is signed into law.
In fact, all of the following parties may be able to file a bladder cancer lawsuit for Camp Lejeune water contamination:
- Veterans
- Family members of veterans or active duty service members
- Non-military staff, aka civilian workers
- In-utero victims
- Family members of deceased victims
It should be noted that people struggling with other diseases can also file a lawsuit against liable parties for Camp Lejeune water contamination, including:
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Breast cancer
- Leukemia
- Birth defects
- Kidney cancer
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
If you or your children or loved ones have developed bladder cancer or any other disease after exposure to Camp Lejeune water, contact the offices of Florin|Roebig.
What Factors Will Affect My Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Personal injury lawsuits, such as the one you might file against liable parties for Camp Lejeune water contamination, are very complicated.
Many factors can influence your lawsuit’s strength and legitimacy. Some factors, in particular, are very important when it comes to Camp Lejeune personal injury lawsuits.
Consideration Of Negligence
Negligence plays a role in all personal injury claims and lawsuits. In order for a party to be held liable for their part in an incident, it must be proven that they were negligent.
Negligence means that a party knew or, within reason, should have known, that their actions could be harmful to others.
In the case of the Camp Lejeune water lawsuits, several parties might be considered negligent and therefore be held liable — including the U.S. government, businesses that contributed to the tainted water, and anyone else who could have played a role in the water contamination.
Length Of Time Spent At Camp Lejeune
Another factor in these lawsuits is how long people spent at Camp Lejeune while the water was contaminated. The new law that will make these lawsuits possible does state that the affected person needs to have been at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days.
Who Is At Fault In A Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
Fault in the Camp Lejeune lawsuits is complicated and these cases are quite unique. Several parties could have played a role in the water contamination, and therefore could be held liable for paying damages in lawsuits.
An experienced attorney can help you determine who the liable party or parties are in your Camp Lejeune contaminated drinking water lawsuit.
What Damages Can I Claim In A Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
If you or a loved one got sick after drinking from the contaminated water supply at Camp Lejeune, you might be able to file a personal injury lawsuit.
The point of such a lawsuit is to seek compensation for losses you have endured. Financial losses directly related to your illness, as well as more abstract effects like emotional distress, will be calculated when filing the lawsuit.
Medical Bills
If you or a loved one has an illness such as bladder cancer after drinking Camp Lejeune water, you have likely paid for medical bills related to your illness.
Medical bills and any other costs related to your illness and its health effects can be paid for by a personal injury lawsuit.
Lost Wages
When people are sick or injured, they might lose the ability to work. A personal injury lawsuit can help you seek compensation for any lost wages you have already suffered, as well as lost wages you are likely to miss out on moving forward.
Pain And Suffering
Having a disease like bladder cancer is extremely difficult. The physical and emotional pain and turmoil can be very hard to endure.
People struggling with cancer often see a major drop in their quality of life. An experienced lawyer can help you seek financial compensation to ease some of the burdens.
Wrongful Death
If you lost a family member due to the Camp Lejeune groundwater contamination tragedy, you might be able to seek compensation through a lawsuit.
Losing a family member is difficult emotionally, as well as financially and logistically. Wrongful death lawsuits seek compensation for these hardships.
What Is The Average Settlement Amount For A Camp Lejeune Bladder Cancer Lawsuit?
Many factors go into determining a compensation amount in Camp Lejeune Military Base water lawsuits.
First and foremost, the type of illness will affect the settlement award. That is because damages and losses are higher for more severe illnesses.
Bladder cancer is a serious disease, and it can be life-threatening. That said, factors such as the duration of the illness, the impacts, and medical costs will all factor into the settlement amount.
Settlements in these cases could range from $20,000 all the way up to $1 million or more. Attorneys like those at Florin|Roebig will do everything they can to ensure that you are compensated fully for your damages and receive a fair and complete settlement offer.
What Laws Are In Place To Protect Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Victims?
The Honoring Our PACT Act of 2022 was passed in March 2022 by the House of Representatives. This bill, which also includes the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, is aimed to help victims seek compensation through legal action.
The bill, which will become law if signed by President Biden, helps victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination by allowing them to pursue legal action. The law would supersede other laws, such as statutes of limitations, that currently prevent people from pursuing legal action several years after the water contamination occurred.
This is not a class action lawsuit, but rather a law that allows individuals to file their own lawsuits.
Disability Benefits For People With Bladder Cancer Caused By The Camp Lejeune Water Supply
Because so many people stationed at Camp Lejeune have suffered illnesses, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has benefits available to compensate the victims.
These special benefits are separate from normal VA benefits, which include things like health care benefits. To be eligible, you must have lived at Camp Lejeune at some point between 1953 and 1987, and you cannot have been dishonorably discharged.
You also must have a qualifying illness to receive these benefits. Bladder cancer is among the illnesses that qualify veterans, reservists, and guardsmen for these special VA benefits.
Steps To Filing A Bladder Cancer Injury Lawsuit
You should know exactly how to file your Camp Lejeune lawsuit so that when the time comes, you are prepared. Follow these steps to file your lawsuit.
1. Gather Documentation
All documentation you have related to your time spent in military service or at the base, your injury, medical records, and anything else related to your claim can be useful to your case.
Compiling as much documentation as possible before talking to a lawyer will help you move your case forward quickly.
2. Reach Out To A Personal Injury Lawyer
The next step is to reach out to a qualified personal injury lawyer with knowledge of the Camp Lejeune water contamination claims and the situation as a whole.
Most law offices, including Florin|Roebig, will offer a free consultation in which you can discuss your claim and bring documentation so your attorney can do a thorough case review.
3. Begin Negotiations
After your free case evaluation, your lawyer will help you file a lawsuit against the federal government and/or any other liable parties.
Negotiations can then begin between your lawyers and the liable party. Since this is a lawsuit and not a personal injury claim, a court will oversee the process and decide on a settlement amount.
4. Reach A Favorable Settlement
Having an experienced lawyer on your side will help you demonstrate clearly to the court what damages you have suffered and why you deserve a higher settlement amount.
FAQs For Camp Lejeune Bladder Cancer Lawsuits
If you still have questions about the Camp Lejeune lawsuits, find answers below.
Will I Need A Personal Injury Attorney To Start A Bladder Cancer Lawsuit?
You have the right to represent yourself in a personal injury lawsuit. That said, settlement amounts are higher on average when a qualified attorney is representing the plaintiff.
A lawyer with years of experience can clearly demonstrate to the court how your illness has affected your life and how you should be compensated for your losses.
How Much Will Camp Lejeune Bladder Cancer Victims Get?
The settlement amount you are awarded will be based on your illness and how it has affected your life. People who have suffered severe illnesses such as bladder cancer are more likely to be awarded higher settlement amounts.
What Diseases And Health Conditions Are Linked To Camp Lejeune’s Water?
Many diseases and illnesses have been linked to the contamination from Camp Lejeune water, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and kidney cancer, among others. Increased risk for various cancers and illnesses have led to the passing of the PACT Act.
How Did The Water At Camp Lejeune Get Contaminated?
Contamination of the water at Camp Lejeune was due to a number of different factors. Toxic solvents and VOCs entered the water and found their way into storage tanks and other areas of the water system.
The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) found numerous harmful chemicals and compounds in the water at Camp Lejeune, including some that are known carcinogens.
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Begin Your Personal Injury Case For Bladder Cancer With Help From Florin|Roebig
If you are ready to seek justice for yourself and/or your family after struggling with bladder cancer linked to the Camp Lejeune water contamination, the team at Florin|Roebig is here and ready to help.
Our personal injury lawyers are well-versed in the unique situation that has unfolded at Camp Lejeune, and we have decades of experience helping clients with cases just like yours. We want to help you get compensated for the hardship you have endured.
Let the Florin|Roebig team help. Contact our offices today to learn more about our services or schedule your free initial consultation.
