Camp Lejeune lawsuits have been piling up for a while. The May 2023 updates suggest that the Navy has over 45,000 administrative claims. More than 900 lawsuits were filed against the United States government in Eastern North Carolina federal courts. Despite this, the government hasn’t provided any monetary compensation to resolve these cases.
In March 2023, Bloomberg News reported on a law firm in South Carolina that sought to be the lead litigator for these cases. The firm spent nearly $1.9 million chasing US lawmakers for two years. This happened right after Congress sanctioned a multibillion-dollar payout for affected veterans and decided to limit lawyer fees.
The founder of the law firm said that he wished to represent 100 people at first. After that, he could increase the number. The initiative illustrates the significant financial investments and strategic maneuvering taking place behind closed doors to influence a case, and it might become a substantial mass tort case for records. It could lead to the generation of billions of dollars in legal fees for those involved.
In this article, we will take a look at the diseases caused by the toxic water at Camp Lejeune and how victims can take a legal stand.
Marines Affected by Toxic Water at Camp Lejeune: The Ailments Caused
In March 2023, South Dakota News Watch reported the story of Ronald Lawson and his ailment due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. When he left the Marine Corps back in 1983, he was healthy, strong, and weighed 220 pounds. Since he was a mechanic and roofer, he loved to spend time outdoors camping and fishing.
However, a decade back, Ronald’s health started deteriorating. In 8 years, his back and knees started giving him trouble. Gradually, he lost his vision and started to suffer from severe intestine and stomach pain. One morning, he woke up with a tumor in his neck and was diagnosed with Stage 4 throat cancer.
On one of his visits to the doctor at Sturgis, Ronald was asked if he spent substantial time at Camp Lejeune. Upon knowing that he had, it was evident that the toxic water caused it all. Several others, including Ronald, had a similar predicament and came forward to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act comprises various health conditions that have been labeled by “The Department of Veterans Affairs” as “presumptive.” It means that the agency will undoubtedly presume that the toxic Camp Lejeune waters as the cause of severe health conditions. The diseases included in the list are:
- Bladder Cancer
- Adult Leukemia
- Liver Cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Multiple Myeloma
- Aplastic Anaemia
- Various Myelodysplastic Syndromes
- Parkinson’s Disease
- End Stage Renal Disease
The chemicals present in the water were the main reason for ailments in the veterans in Camp Lejeune. The chemicals are benzene, perchloroethylene, vinyl chloride, and trichloroethylene.
Filing a Legal Complaint
Over the years, several people who stayed in Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 have developed several ailments to mild discomfort. It included kids and adults who stayed on base, the workers at the base, and the marine personnel as well. Today, all these people who have discovered chronic ailments resulting from polluted water can file a lawsuit.
To settle the claims, the Congressional Budget Office declared an amount of $6.1 billion, applicable between 2022 and 2031. But it would be difficult to estimate an exact settlement amount for the lawsuits because the cases are getting delayed due to proper administration. Hence, it’s best to assume that the settlement amount is case specific and depends on multiple factors.
For instance, the settlement amount for every person filing a complaint would depend on their injuries. It will also get based on the conditions diagnosed, the degree of suffering, and the time they spent at Camp Lejeune.
TorHoerman Law states that victims must have their medical records and documents in place. It will help their concerned lawyers to develop a strong case and ask for compensation. As the settlement amount gets sanctioned, the victims can get the compensation they need. It would ideally cover the lost wages, medical bills, emotional damages, and pain and suffering.
Conclusion
The Camp Lejeune toxic water crisis has sparked a relentless legal battle, with numerous lawsuits and administrative claims piling up. The pursuit of justice for the affected veterans has been met with substantial financial investments by law firms seeking billions in legal fees. As the fight for justice continues, the case has the potential to become one of the most significant mass tort cases in history.
