If you or a loved one fell victim to the effects of the water contamination incident that happened a few decades back at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, you may already have plans for filing a lawsuit for compensation.
After all, it may be within your rights under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 that finally permitted victims who had suffered various illnesses and damages as a result of the environmental catastrophe to pursue justice by filing a compensation claim.
Nonetheless, one huge question lingers in the minds of would-be beneficiaries. How much money can you get as compensation in a lawsuit involving the Camp Lejeune water contamination?
Let’s separate the wheat from the chaff below and find out how much your Camp Lejeune Lawsuit could actually be Worth.
It Depends
How much you can get from a Camp Lejeune lawsuit? Well, it depends.
The true worth of the Camp Lejeune lawsuit is not a simple dollar amount. It’s a complex issue and the compensation a claimant might receive largely depends on a variety of factors. These can include the severity of the illness or injury linked to the contaminated water, the degree of negligence demonstrated by the authorities, and the duration and extent of exposure to the hazardous conditions at Camp Lejeune.
In a nutshell, here are some factors that might determine how much you get in compensation from such a lawsuit.
Individual Circumstances
Think about your individual circumstances first. What illness have you suffered? The nature and severity of your condition matter a lot. For example, if we consider conditions like kidney cancer or non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, these are heavy hitters. Serious conditions like these often lead to higher compensation.
Proof of Negligence
Next, consider the role of negligence. How negligent were the authorities at Camp Lejeune? If you can prove they knew about the contamination and did nothing, your claim could increase. Yet, remember that proving negligence isn’t easy. It often needs strong evidence and expert testimony.
Length of Exposure
How long were you at Camp Lejeune? How often were you in contact with the contaminated water? But it’s not just about exposure length. The extent of your direct contact with the contaminated water also matters. The more the contact was, the stronger your case may be.
Legal Assistance
At the end of the day, every case is unique. Yours will be, too. So, your compensation will depend on your specific circumstances. It’s always wise to talk with a legal professional to understand better. They can help you estimate what your claim might be worth.
Challenges To Expect When Seeking Compensation in a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
Embarking on a legal journey like a Camp Lejeune lawsuit can feel like navigating a labyrinth. It’s not always straightforward. Let’s walk through five major challenges that you may face.
Proving Exposure
Firstly, the Camp Lejeune water contamination incident is said to have occurred anywhere between the nineteen fifties and the eighties. This means that to be eligible for compensation, you’ll need to be a veteran or family member of a loved one who not only served in this period but also took residence at Camp Lejeune when the contamination took place.
This often requires tangible evidence, which may be tough to put together for many individuals given all the years that have passed. It becomes even more difficult to prove expose if the
Connecting Illness to Exposure
For many victims, this is often among the biggest challenges. For your lawsuit to be considered valid, you also need to establish a link between your illness and the toxic water incident.
It might sound easy, but medical science can be complex. Establishing a causal relationship between your condition and the exposure can demand rigorous medical and scientific evidence. Just like the aftermath of a workplace injury, it would take the help of a seasoned lawyer to navigate this part of the lawsuit.
Your medical history and records might have to be strictly scrutinized; not forgetting the risk factors you may have faced over the years that could attract health issues related to those linked to Camp Lejeune contamination.
Legal Hurdles
Also, the legal process, like any other, itself can be daunting. There are forms to fill out, deadlines to meet, and legal jargon to understand. You’ll also be up against federal legal representatives when pursuing your claim.
This is not to mention the history of mishandled Lejeune water claims in the past. Without legal expertise, navigating this process can feel overwhelming and utterly draining.
Huge Lawsuits Aren’t Cheap
As if that’s all, most of these cases don’t come cheap. From proving exposure to connecting it with your illness, everything costs money. This is not to mention legal expenses like paying your lawyer, filing your case, and covering other court fees.
Many victims resort to seeking out debt to cover these expenses, but even then, this works out best if you’re sure you’ll win the case. If you can’t find a good law firm that accepts contingency payments, it’s always best to seek out a loan from a lawsuit loan provider. The folks over at Tribeca Lawsuit Loans can be worth a shot.
Time and Emotional Stress
Lastly, pursuing a lawsuit is time-consuming and emotionally draining. Claims against the military sometimes involve revisiting painful experiences and waiting for long durations for resolution. It’s important to prepare yourself for the emotional journey that a lawsuit inevitably brings.
These challenges might sound intimidating, but remember, every hurdle is surmountable, especially with the right legal assistance.
Quick Facts
Based on available data, however, here are some quick facts worth digesting if someone you know was affected by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune.
- Through an act passed in 2012, a $350 million fund was established to cater to former members of the military and their families who suffered harm from the polluted water at Camp Lejeune. The fund was meant to cover various healthcare benefits, including treatment drugs, and post-treatment care.
- An act passed in 2022, also committed the Department of veteran affairs (VA) to pay an additional $2 billion in disability compensation and $75 million in wrongful death claims for military service members who passed away as a result of the contamination.
- On top of the burial allowances granted by the VA when planning a veteran’s funeral, you may also be able to seek compensation for a loved one who died of a Camp Lejeune-related illness.
- Recently, the VA department granted compensation of $1.1 million to a service member who served at Camp Lejeune in the eighties and suffered from bladder cancer.
To wrap up, how much a Camp Lejeune lawsuit is worth depends on several factors. With the pointers above and legal assistance, however, it will hopefully be easier for your to navigate your claims and get the maximum possible compensation.
