American veterans, their family members, and private employees who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987 were likely exposed to toxic chemicals in the drinking water. This exposure has led to numerous life-changing illnesses and health conditions. Until 2022, the law blocked any opportunity to pursue an injury lawsuit and recover compensation from the government based on this toxic exposure.
In 2022, the federal government passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. This legislation provides a new opportunity for the victims of Camp Lejeune to pursue legal action against the government, but there is a limited amount of time to do so. The window of time for filing an administrative claim expires in August of 2024, and any claim filed after the deadline will likely be rejected.
The Final Deadline is August 10, 2024
All administrative claims related to the injuries and illnesses sustained from toxic exposure in Camp Lejeune must be filed by August 10, 2024. This deadline is exactly two years from the day the act passed: August 10, 2022. It was the intention of Congress for veterans and their families plaintiffs to have a two-year period to file their administrative claims.
This Deadline is Approaching
For many years, veterans and their family members have not been able to seek compensation for the toxic exposure they experienced while living or working on Camp Lejeune. Despite links to numerous serious health issues, including cancer and Parkinson’s disease, pursuing legal action has not been an option for decades due to the specifics of North Carolina law.
Camp Lejeune was cleaned up in 1987, marking the end of hazardous conditions on the base. Under common law, the deadline to file a lawsuit expired not long after for most people. Thousands of veterans and their loved ones have waited years for the opportunity to seek justice. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows them the chance to do just that.
The August 10, 2024, deadline will be strictly enforced, making it crucial for anyone with a potential claim to file their administrative claim before that date. The attorneys of Gang & Associates are prepared to help veterans, their family members, and others living with health issues due to their time at Camp Lejeune seek a monetary award.
Who Can File a Claim?
Only certain individuals are entitled to damages due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, even among those who file their claim on time. To qualify for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, you must meet two important requirements. First, you must have lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 consecutive days between August 1, 1953 and December 31, 1987. This requirement could be met by veterans, family members, civilian employees, or even children in utero at the time.
The second element requires that you have been diagnosed with a health condition that has been linked to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune. There are numerous illnesses available, including cancer of the kidney, bladder, and liver. Reproductive issues, including birth defects and miscarriages, are common.
Other veterans have developed serious neurological disorders following their time at Camp Lejeune. The water at the base has been linked to conditions including leukemia and Parkinson’s disease. A formal diagnosis of one of these health issues is necessary in order to qualify for compensation.
How Long Will a Settlement Take?
When you file your claim, there is no way to determine with certainty how long it will take for you to get the compensation you deserve. One factor that can shorten this process substantially involves taking what is known as the Elective Option or pursuing the claim outside of the elective option. Claimants are given the chance to accept an immediate settlement which can shave months or even years off of the process. The downside is that the Elective Option could be for substantially less money than a trial verdict
From there, every case is sorted into a different “track” based on the condition the claimant has
been diagnosed with. Each track includes specific ailments, with track one covering liver cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and bladder cancer, among other things. The lawsuits in this track are scheduled to start as soon as April 2024. Plaintiffs in other tracks will have to wait to pursue their claim later.
A Lawyer Could Provide Critical Support
An attorney from Gang & Associates can ensure that your lawsuit is filed in a timely manner, but that is only one of the ways our team could help. These cases are complex, and the ability to file a claim does not guarantee it will succeed. You could benefit from putting your trust in the hands of experienced attorneys.
Your lawyers can evaluate your case to ensure you qualify. Not everyone who was present at Camp Lejeune has a viable case for compensation, but our firm could help you determine if you qualify.
We can also manage your case from the moment the lawsuit is filed until the day it is resolved. While many of these cases will settle following negotiations with the government, some plaintiffs will only get the compensation they deserve by going to trial and winning. Our team is prepared to guide you through either option.
Let Our Firm Help With Your Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
If you have been diagnosed with one of the 40 health conditions linked to toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune, you might be entitled to compensation. This is true even if you have been previously informed that the law prevents your case from moving forward. However, you could miss out on this opportunity forever if you do not act by August 10, 2024.
You do not have to navigate this process on your own. The team at Gang & Associates understands what is at stake, and we are ready to serve as your advocate. Contact us as soon as possible to get started on your claim.