What Is a Camp Lejeune Lawyer?
The best Camp Lejeune lawyers work at law firms that have successfully handled cases involving diseases and injuries caused by large corporations. These law firms often have hundreds of years of combined litigation experience.
This experience has allowed the country’s best law firms to establish a prominent reputation within the nation’s court system. They have won record-setting cases for people who have been injured (plaintiffs in legal cases).
“Do not take a chance on which Camp Lejeune lawyer you hire — the stakes are too high.”
—Chris, surviving son of a U.S. Marine who died from Camp Lejeune Cancer
What sets leading Camp Lejeune water contamination attorneys apart from the rest of the lawyers out there is that they have the resources needed to deploy groundbreaking litigation strategies against the largest companies in the world.
This is especially important with Camp Lejeune water claims because this type of litigation has never been attempted on this scale. These cases are not claims to get benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). They are lawsuits against the federal government, which could prove complex.
The nation’s most experienced trial lawyers have national recognition due to their successes in high-profile cases against large corporations. They’ll use this experience to get justice and compensation for those harmed by Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water.
Contact our trained Camp Lejeune claims advocates 24 hours a day at (866) 473-4764 to connect with one of America’s top plaintiff law firms.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims
For the first time in history, Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base water contamination victims and family members may be eligible to file a lawsuit with assistance from top lawyers.
Filing a Camp Lejeune water claim with an attorney’s help could mean:
- Claims are filed as individual lawsuits that go to court for a verdict
- Settlements are reached out of court
- A class action or multidistrict litigation is filed in one court
Since it isn’t yet possible to predict how these claims will play out, finding the right Camp Lejeune lawyer to assist you is critically important.
The difference is in experience and access to resources. Reach out to the Camp Lejeune Claims Center team today to see if you are eligible to work with top lawyers.
What Was in the Camp Lejeune Water?
The federal government’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) discovered that two of Camp Lejeune’s water treatment plants — Tarawa Terrace and Hadnot Point — were contaminated with volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This led to toxic water being supplied to the base.
VOCs found in Camp Lejeune water included:
- Benzene
- Dichloroethylene (DCE)
- Tetrachloroethylene — also known as perchloroethylene (PCE)
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Vinyl chloride
- Other contaminants
The Camp Lejeune water contamination was caused by a private dry cleaning business and ongoing base operations. According to ATSDR, toxic chemicals were released into Camp Lejeune’s water supply from 1953 to 1987, putting over a million people at risk of health conditions.
While this has been devastating for countless families, top Camp Lejeune lawyers can help you get justice by demanding compensation for the harm that was done.
Explore the legacy of John Carberg, a U.S. Marine who developed bladder cancer from exposure to contaminated water while living at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. View Transcript.
Duration: 02 min 43 sec
I used to ask my dad, “What was it like when you were a Marine, or when you were formerly a Marine?” And he would correct me every time, he’d say, “You’re never formerly a Marine. It’s never something in the past. Once you’re a Marine, you’re a Marine for life.”
My name is Chris Carberg and my father was United States Marine John Carberg, who passed away from bladder cancer.
My dad was 17 years old when he joined the Marines. And his dad was a Marine, his brother was a Marine. It was something in our whole family that we were proud of. He lived on a military base.
My father was at Camp Lejeune for, I believe less than 60 days. He had no idea that there was anything wrong with the water.
And to think that people were spending their last moments, before they were deployed to dangerous situations, being poisoned is absolutely infuriating. We had families at Camp Lejeune. We had families on the base. We had mothers who were pregnant drinking that water.
What changed with the PACT Act and with the Camp Lejeune Act of 2022, is that for the first time, the government lowered and dropped its own immunity to being prosecuted. Veterans, their family members, they are able for the first time to file lawsuits against the government.
My dad never cared about his legacy, but what he cared about was his family. He cared about my mom, he cared about me and my sister. He cared about us. and I think that what he would want is what he always wanted. For his family to be taken care of, for my mom to be taken care of. My dad would never do something like this for himself, but he would do it for my mom in a heartbeat.
When my son and daughter ask me eventually, “What happened to Pop-pop?” I have to tell them the truth, which was that, “Well, Pop-pop was serving his country proudly. He did everything the right way, doing that that he could.” And now it’s our turn, it’s our turn to care for him and while he was sick and alive, we fought for him. We did our very best.
It’s our job as families to honor the memory of our loved ones by fighting on their behalf when they can’t fight for themselves anymore.
What Health Issues Did Camp Lejeune Water Cause?
Since so many people were exposed to contaminated drinking water, the health issues linked with Camp Lejeune’s water are extensive.
This is especially true because men, women, and children of all ages were exposed, making medical conditions vary greatly.
Camp Lejeune health issues include:
- Birth defects: Conditions including low birth weight, neural tube defects, oral cleft defects, and other birth defects have been linked with the toxic water. Fetal deaths have also been reported.
- Cancers: Several cancers are linked to the toxic water, including bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer.
- Reproductive problems: Female infertility and miscarriages have been reported in women who were pregnant or trying to get pregnant while in base housing.
- Other health conditions: Heart disease, neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease, and bone-marrow-related health problems have been linked to Camp Lejeune drinking water.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of victims, survivors, and advocates, Camp Lejeune water lawsuits are finally on the table for the first time in history.
If you or a loved one developed any of these health conditions after being exposed to the toxic water at Camp Lejeune, get a free case review now to see if you can connect with a top Camp Lejeune lawyer.
“Filing for relief under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 won’t affect your eligibility for VA disability or health care benefits.”
-U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Who Can Work With a Camp Lejeune Lawyer?
Anyone who lived or worked on the base for at least 30 days from 1953 to 1987 may be able to work with a Camp Lejeune lawyer to get justice. This includes military personnel, veterans, civilian workers, their families, and survivors.
Due to the lengthy time of contamination and the wide range of ages of those exposed, people in their mid-30s up to their late-80s could be eligible. Many may not even know they qualify to get help from a lawyer.
There are some very important things to understand:
- These are not VA claims — they are lawsuits against the government that are being allowed for the first time.
- You may still be eligible to get help from a lawyer even if you currently receive or were denied Camp Lejeune VA benefits.
- Spouses, children, and survivors may also qualify for legal help, including families who lost a child decades ago to illnesses such as childhood cancer. Survivors can take comfort that their loved ones will finally get justice.
- It doesn’t matter how long ago the exposure was — if you or a loved one was harmed, you may still qualify to file a case by working with an attorney for Camp Lejeune water contamination.
With the passage of the Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act, victims can finally get the compensation they’ve needed for decades.
If you are unsure whether you can work with a Camp Lejeune lawyer, do not worry. Our claims advocates are standing by to walk through the exposure history of you or your loved one to determine whether you are newly eligible.
Connect with us now by filling out this form for a call back to discuss your eligibility.
How Much Money Can Camp Lejeune Lawyers Secure in My Case?
It is still too early to predict how much money lawyers will secure through Camp Lejeune water claim payouts. This is new litigation, so there is no case history that attorneys can use for financial projections.
However, any Camp Lejeune payouts lawyers can secure won’t affect your VA benefits.
If you already receive compensation through VA disability benefits, a successful Camp Lejeune water lawsuit will simply award you more money.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has earmarked $6.1 billion for Camp Lejeune contaminated water claims between 2022 to 2031. Using this figure, it is possible that some Camp Lejeune victims could receive settlements in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
While this money will not reverse what happened or bring loved ones back, it will end the decades-long suffering caused by frustrating delays and denials.
Working with a qualified Camp Lejeune lawyer can ensure the highest payout for you and your loved ones.
Is There a Deadline to Hire a Camp Lejeune Lawyer?
Individuals who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days from 1953 to 1987 can file a new claim no matter how far back exposure was.
That said, there are laws called statutes of limitations that place strict deadlines on how long people have to take legal action.
All Camp Lejeune water lawsuits must be filed by August 10, 2024. Don’t wait. File with a top lawyer’s help now.
This may seem like a lot of time, but since this is brand-new litigation, the process could prove to be challenging to navigate, creating unforeseen delays unless you work with a skilled lawyer.
Additionally, there could be a significant amount of paperwork and red tape involved. These factors could create a backlog of Camp Lejeune claims, with court systems being flooded, causing a scramble to meet the applicable deadlines.
For all of these reasons, the deadline can pass very quickly. If you miss the window of time allowed, you could be forever barred from taking legal action. But, when you work with a Camp Lejeune lawyer, they can help ensure you file on time and with less hassle.
Do I Need A Camp Lejeune Attorney To File My Claim?
Since Camp Lejeune water claims are lawsuits, it’s often in your best interest to hire a skilled lawyer to help you.
A skilled attorney will work with you to get the most favorable outcome for your Camp Lejeune water claim in the shortest amount of time.
A Camp Lejeune lawyer will:
- Build a strong case by gathering evidence, including medical records and proof that you spent at least 30 days on the base between 1953 and 1987
- Make sure your Camp Lejeune claim is filed before the deadline passes
- Negotiate aggressively with the government (the defendant)
- Argue your case in court if a settlement agreement cannot be reached
Remember, these are different from claims for VA benefits. Having a top attorney in your corner can make all the difference in how your Camp Lejeune water claim is resolved.
How Much Do Camp Lejeune Lawyers Cost?
A reputable Camp Lejeune lawyer will not cost anything out of pocket. This is because they work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only receive a payment if your case is successful.
Legal fees are taken from the money Camp Lejeune water lawyers win for their clients.
If a skilled Camp Lejeune lawsuit attorney signs you up as a client, they will do all the heavy lifting to build the strongest case and get the most compensation.
Connect with Camp Lejeune Claims Center today for a confidential and free case review.
Who Are the Best Camp Lejeune Attorneys?
The best Camp Lejeune lawyers are likely to be those with experience helping victims on a mass scale, such as through class action or multidistrict litigation claims. In these types of cases, similar lawsuits from people across the country are grouped into a single legal matter.
While it is still unclear how Camp Lejeune lawsuits will be processed, the best Camp Lejeune attorneys may prove to be those with experience handling complex cases on a national level.
Camp Lejeune water contamination attorneys have experience with this type of litigation in both state and federal courts. They are also known for their stellar litigating skills because of their extensive experience arguing cases against large and powerful corporations.
The best Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers:
- Can help victims in all 50 states
- Have the resources and dedication to take on the federal government
- Have significant trial experience
- Work at nationally recognized litigation firms that have won billions of dollars for clients
Camp Lejeune Claims Center only works with the country’s top lawyers. We take great pride in knowing that the lawyers we partner with are nationally recognized, have outstanding reputations, and are committed to serving U.S. military veterans.
Do not delay finding a reputable lawyer to handle your Camp Lejeune claim. Call (866) 473-4764 to start the process.
Find a Camp Lejeune Water Lawyer
Because new laws have opened the floodgates for over a million victims to finally take action, you will notice an abundance of lawyers for Camp Lejeune water contamination offering to help.
With so many plaintiff law firms and lawyers out there, it’s important to make sure you find the right one for your case.
Some questions to ask before you hire a Camp Lejeune lawyer are:
- What is their prior experience and success rate?
- How much money have they recovered for their clients?
- Do they have ample staff, including paralegals, legal assistants, and access to expert witnesses?
- Do you feel comfortable talking to the lawyer and their staff?
- Do they have the resources to handle cases from across the nation?
- What fees will they charge?
- Do they seem to understand what veterans and their survivors have been put through?
You may also wish to ask what the breakdown of their practice is and the types of cases they handle. For example, a lawyer handling mostly divorce cases may not be the most suitable to handle a Camp Lejeune claim.
Remember that choosing a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer is one of your most important decisions with your claim. It could mean the difference between failure and success and can impact the amount of money you receive.
Our claims advocates are standing by 24 hours a day to get you connected with a top Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer.
File your Camp Lejeune Claim Now.
Camp Lejeune Lawyer FAQs
Do I need a lawyer for Camp Lejeune water contamination?
You are not required to hire a Camp Lejeune lawyer, but it will be challenging to file a toxic exposure claim without one.
These are lawsuits against the federal government, and Camp Lejeune water victims will likely have to navigate a complex legal system.
Hiring a Camp Lejeune lawyer can make the legal process much easier for you and your family. Your claim will be filed in time, and you’ll get the most amount of money possible with a lawyer’s help.
Can I file a Camp Lejeune claim without a lawyer?
Yes, you can file a Camp Lejeune claim without a lawyer by going directly through the VA. But it’s likely in your best interest to work with a lawyer as the process can be very confusing without their help.
One of the first steps to filing a Camp Lejeune water claim is to go through the Office of the Judge Advocate General (JAG) of the Navy’s Tort Claims Unit (TCU).
The information you provide to JAG will determine the outcome of your claim, and there’s likely to be a fair amount of legally binding paperwork involved.
Therefore, having a skilled lawyer on your side is key. They’ll help you gather the right information to file a claim before time runs out and help you understand the legal documents in question.
Who can sue Camp Lejeune?
Veterans, active duty service members, family members, and survivors who spent at least 30 days at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between 1953 and 1987 may be able to file a lawsuit.
This may include children born to mothers on base who were pregnant during this time frame.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, call (866) 473-4764. You can call 24/7 to speak with one of our veteran advocates. They can help determine if you may be eligible to get help from a lawyer and sue Camp Lejeune.
What law firm is handling the Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
Many law firms across the country are handling Camp Lejeune lawsuits. However, it is essential to understand that they are not all the same.
We work with some of the best law firms for Camp Lejeune water contamination, with extensive trial experience and skill in complex litigation.
While it may be tempting to hire a Camp Lejeune water lawyer near you or even one that advertises the most on TV, that may not be in your best interest. They may not have the experience needed to properly handle your case.
The law firms in our network have won billions of dollars for clients. Fill out this form now to see if we can help connect you with some of the top Camp Lejeune law firms and lawyers in the country.
What percentage do lawyers take from Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
The best Camp Lejeune lawsuit lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. In this fee arrangement, lawyers only get paid if they secure money for you.
You won’t pay anything upfront to work with these attorneys. Further, you won’t have to pay if they can’t get compensation for you.
It may be tempting to hire the first lawyer you find. But there are scams and bad actors who only want to take your money. Make sure to discuss Camp Lejeune lawyer fees with an attorney you’re considering before you agree to work with them.
What is the average pay out for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
The average Camp Lejeune payout can only be projected at this point since no settlement offers have been made yet. However, the government is expected to pay out over $6 billion to those harmed by Camp Lejeune’s water over the next 10 years.
Camp Lejeune victims with serious injuries or survivors of those who have died from conditions caused by the toxic water might get higher settlement payouts.
While there are no guarantees, many Camp Lejeune lawsuit attorneys project that some victims could receive settlements in the hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
Has anyone received a settlement from Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
There haven’t been any legal settlements awarded resulting from the PACT Act of 2022 as of yet. Compensation has been awarded through the VA in the form of disability benefits. However, the status of the lawsuits is still pending.
Camp Lejeune Claims Center is dedicated to staying up-to-date on the latest status of these lawsuits. Connect with us today to see if you are eligible to work with one of our Camp Lejeune lawyers and get the money you deserve.
