Camp Lejeune is a U.S. Marine Corps base located in North Carolina. The water at this base was strongly contaminated for many years. Research carried out shows that the contamination is directly connected to premature deaths. Living relatives of these people are now filing cases of wrongful death that took place at Camp Lejeune.
Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Lawsuit
From 1953 to 1987, the base was contaminated with toxic chemicals, including benzene and trichloroethylene. As a result, many of the people who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune were exposed to these harmful chemicals. Many civilians and veterans who drank the poisonous water now have serious health problems or have even died because of the chemicals in the water.
The living family members of a person who passes away as a direct result of another person’s negligence may file a lawsuit against that person. This legal path is categorized as “wrongful death.” The Honoring Our PACT Act, a recent federal law, now allows the surviving family members of Camp Lejeune victims to file wrongful death lawsuits and request reparations. Under the umbrella of the PACT Act, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was passed.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act essentially gives victims of Camp Lejeune water contamination and members of their families the right to file a lawsuit and seek compensation. Family members of a person who perished at Camp Lejeune from ailments related to toxic water will be eligible to submit a wrongful death claim.
Besides cases of wrongful death, this new law allows anyone who was directly harmed by the water at Camp Lejeune to sue for reparations. Veterans who were at Camp Lejeune and drank water that was contaminated are also eligible for benefits under this law.
Who Can File a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit?
At present, it is not 100% clear who is covered, but let us discuss the details. First, anyone who was present at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 for at least 30 days can file a claim. Second, anyone who is related to someone who was present for at least 30 days can also file a claim. Lastly, the people in question will need to provide some proof of the damage done, such as a diagnosis. In addition, evidence of a deceased family member will be needed in order to have a valid wrongful death lawsuit.
In terms of what is not clear:
- It is not clear whether the 30 days need to be consecutive or not.
- It is not clear if some conditions could qualify, such as emotional trauma and depression.
- It is not clear how much the payout will be for individual cases.
With that said, many law firms are taking any case, even if the days are not consecutive but are accumulative instead. Some firms believe that emotional trauma is enough damage to warrant a lawsuit. As for the payout, let us dive into what we know so far.
Camp Lejeune Payout
In terms of settlement amounts, some firms have stated what they believe the projected amounts are. It is estimated that the highest sum of compensation will amount to over $1 million. The lowest payout will not be below $25,000, according to these estimates.
The typical sum of a wrongful death settlement could range anywhere from $250,000 to $1,000,000. If you or a family member were harmed by the water at Camp Lejeune, take action today.