Since the water at Camp Lejeune was discovered to be contaminated in 1980, many have demanded justice for the people who were exposed. In 2022, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was passed, and it definitely brought justice for many. Individuals can now file lawsuits against the US government. So, what paperwork does one need to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
What Paperwork Will You Need?
Any lawsuit requires significant amounts of paperwork, and suing the US government for Camp Lejeune water contamination is no exception. Prior to filing your claim, it is crucial to acquire all the required paperwork to ensure the highest rate of success. The paperwork you will need to have includes:
- Your medical records
- Evidence of base residency
- Military identification for veterans
Additionally, veterans can submit an application for disability or health insurance. Do not lose hope if your applications are initially rejected; instead, file an appeal and continue to fight for the benefits you are entitled to. For the best chances of success, provide the appropriate documentation.
Filing a Camp Lejeune Claim
Prior to the Justice Act, people could not do much regarding Camp Lejeune. The main reason for this was the statute of repose in North Carolina. The statute did not allow any tort lawsuit to be filed more than ten years after the claim was made, regardless of when it was discovered.
Put simply, after ten years since whatever caused harm has passed, it is impossible to file a claim in North Carolina. This means that ten years after the water contamination has passed, a person can no longer take legal action. This is obviously unfair in many ways and for many reasons. Since most people were diagnosed more than ten years after they were exposed, it seemed that this was deliberately against the victims’ best interests.
Thanks to the new law, anyone who was exposed to the contamination can file for monetary reimbursement and benefits. Once you have your paperwork, you are set to file your claim. To do so, simply submit a Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) form. The next step is hiring a good lawyer to handle your case.
Hiring a Lawyer
You can smoothly proceed with the lawsuit after you have an attorney for Camp Lejeune lawsuits. Speak with different legal representatives before settling on one to handle your case. To find out more on how you can find the best Camp Lejeune lawyers, read this.
You have two years, starting on August 10, 2022, to begin the litigation process under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. Since a deadline has been set, people should not wait to file their claim forms as soon as they possibly can.