Attorneys: Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit

Updated: August 12, 2022

In August of 2022, President Biden signed into law the PACT Act, which extends healthcare resources and disability benefits to combat veterans who may have been exposed to toxins during military service. Part of the legislation, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, will specifically provide former residents and workers of the Marine Corp’s Camp Lejeune the opportunity to seek reparations from the federal government for toxic water exposure on the base.

Between 1953 and 1987, two water supply systems at the camp were reportedly contaminated with toxic levels of chemicals including Benzene, Tetrachloroethylene, Trichloroethylene, Trans-1, 2-dichloroethane and vinyl chloride. Military service members and their resident family members who resided at Camp Lejeune may be entitled to significant compensation for their exposure to these harmful chemicals. If you or a family member spent time at Camp Lejeune between the mid-50s and the mid-80s, call Couture Law in Melbroune and find out if you qualify to file a claim under the new law.

Potential health issues caused by Camp Lejeune water exposure

Healthcare professionals have identified numerous illnesses and ailments that could be associated with the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. Contact a local personal injury lawyer if you or any of your family members who resided at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987 have experienced or suffered from:

• leukemia
• ALS or Lou Gehrig’s Disease
• birth defect
• bladder cancer
• breast cancer
• cervical cancer
• esophageal cancer
• kidney cancer
• liver cancer
• lung cancer
• miscarriage
• multiple myeloma
• non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Parkinson’s disease
• prostate cancer

Premises liability

Injuries that occur on someone else’s property as a result of the property owner’s actions are classified as:

• the property owner owed a duty to the plaintiff
• the property owner breached the duty owed to the plaintiff
• the breach of duty caused the plaintiff’s injury
• the plaintiff suffered a loss as a result of the injury

Under state law, property owners are required to make reasonable efforts to keep visitors safe. Visitors are divided into three groups: invitees, licensees, and trespassers. Invitees are owed the highest level of duty by the owner of the property.

As residents, members of the military and their family members who resided at Camp Lejeune are classified as invitees. As the owner of the property, the federal government owed service members and their families the highest duty of care to make reasonable efforts to eliminate potential hazards on the property. Your attorney will work diligently to establish a breach of duty and causation.

Wrongful Death

Many of the diseases and ailments identified in the Camp Lejeune Justice Act have the potential to cause death. If toxic exposure caused death, the victim’s estate and surviving family members may receive compensation through wrongful death claim. Florida differs from other states in that a wrongful death claim can only be filed by a personal representative. The personal representative is typically identified in the decedent’s will. If the deceased did not have a written will at the time of death, his or her surviving spouse will most likely be appointed as the personal representative. If the victim was not married at the time of death, the surviving family members may agree on who may act as the personal representative. The personal representative may file the wrongful death claim on behalf of the surviving family members and the victim’s estate. Personal representatives are typically entitled to different types of compensation than family members.

Medical records and other documentation

In personal injury cases that cause physical or emotional injury, the plaintiff’s attorney often is able to present medical records as evidence of the victim’s injury or illness. Cases in which the victim suffers severe injury may also involve emotional damages for which the court may compensate the victim and certain members of the victim’s family. At Couture Law, we work with victims and their families to ensure necessary medical examinations and treatments are received and documented. We’ll seek testimony from witnesses who can provide details regarding the victim’s quality of life and personal relationships that may have been impacted by related illnesses or injuries.

Statute of limitations for Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuits

The statute of limitations for filing a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit is two years from the date the law is enacted. While that might seem like a long time, it’s best to reach out to an injury attorney immediately. Retaining counsel early increases the chances of gathering information and evidence that could be critical to your claim.

We want to hear from you! Couture Law P.A. offers free consultations to impacted military servicemen and their families. We’ll help you understand the implications of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, and we’ll explore your best legal options together. We’ll work tirelessly on your behalf to secure the compensation you deserve.

Call us now at (321) 733-5703 to set up a free consultation.