The statute of limitations for filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit is generally two years from the date the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 was passed. The Act also states that if your original claim for compensation was denied, you have 180 days from the Act’s passing to take legal action. President Biden signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 into law on August 10, 2022.
This means the Act gives people until August 10, 2024, to demand damages if their illness is linked to Camp Lejeune’s water. Failure to file your case before the deadline expires may disqualify you from eligibility for compensation under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022. Our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer can help you build your case.
Who Is Eligible for Compensation Under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022?
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 establishes specific eligibility requirements that must be met by people seeking to collect damages. To be eligible to file for damages, you must have lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for a minimum of 30 days between 1953 and 1987. That includes both active-duty Marines, non-military support staff, and their families.
You must also be able to provide specific documentation (e.g., service records, employment records) that verify your time at the base during the period when the water was contaminated. You will also need to show medical records diagnosing you with a condition related to the contaminated water supply.
What Damages Can You Recover in Camp Lejeune Cases?
There is a range of damages you could recover if you are suffering an illness because of toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune. Any economic losses you suffered because of your condition may be recoverable. Examples of recoverable economic losses include:
- Medical bills or any long-term medical expenses related to treatment
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
You could also demand non-economic damages for exposure to the base’s toxic water supply. Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced quality of life
In severe cases, the medical complications from exposure to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water supply can result in permanent disability or even death. If your loved one died because of an illness related to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water, you may also be able to demand wrongful death damages.
What Was Found in Camp Lejeune’s Water Supply?
Those who lived or worked at Camp LeJeune between 1953 and 1987 could have been exposed to toxic chemicals found in on-base water supplies. Examples of the chemicals and foreign elements discovered in Camp LeJeune’s water supply include:
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Benzene
- Vinyl chloride
There may have been other chemicals in the water, as well. Any of these contaminants are potentially carcinogenic, meaning exposure to even one of them elevates the risk of cancer.
Cancer Risks from Exposure to Camp Lejeune’s Water Supply
There are several health complications that people who were exposed to Camp Lejeune’s water may experience. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs (VA), some common examples of cancers resulting from exposure to Camp Lejeune’s water supply include:
- Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma
- Leukemia
- Bladder cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Lung Cancer
- Breast Cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Esophageal cancer
Other Potential Health Complications that May Arise After Toxic Water Exposure at Camp Lejeune
Although many of the chemicals and contaminants found in Camp Lejeune’s water supply are known carcinogens, cancers are not the only potential health complications that can result from exposure. Other health complications experienced by people exposed to Camp Lejeune water include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Elevated risk of miscarriages
- Infertility
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple myeloma
- Neurobehavioral issues
If you or a loved one suffer from one or more of these health complications after having lived or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987, it may be the result of exposure to the toxic water supply at the base. Our attorney can help you file a lawsuit to seek the compensation you need.
Ask Dave About Your Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Case
Dismuke Law is a Florida personal injury firm that is dedicated to standing up for the rights of anyone suffering damages due to someone else’s negligence. David C. Dismuke, who founded our firm, is board certified in civil litigation by the Florida Bar.
If you believe you were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, please reach out to our firm for a free case evaluation. We can explain your legal options and discuss the statute of limitations that applies to your Camp Lejeune lawsuit.