If you lived at Camp Lejeune from August 1953 to December 1987, you could have a lawsuit. The negligence of a business off-base has caused millions of veterans to suffer from serious health conditions. If you want to hold Camp Lejeune and other federal organizations responsible for your injuries, seek the help of a Camp Lejeune lawsuit lawyer from Engstrom, Lipscomb & Lack.
Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Recent legislation has allowed victims of the Camp Lejeune water contamination incident to seek compensation for the base’s negligence. From August 1953 to December 1987, toxic chemicals were released into two of the eight water treatment plants at Camp Lejeune.
An off-base dry cleaning company was the culprit responsible for contaminating the water treatment plants. It wasn’t until 1982 that the Marine Corps discovered the presence of contaminants in the water.
Toxic Chemicals Disposed of in the Water
Some of the dangerous chemicals that were disposed of in the water include benzene, vinyl chloride, TCE, and PCE.
Benzene
Benzene is a commonly used chemical that is used for production volume. This chemical is often used to make other products like plastics, synthetic fibers, and nylon.
When ingested or consumed, this chemical can cause serious effects like a rapid heart rate, dizziness, and tremors. It can also lead to death if it is consumed in large doses.
Vinyl Chloride
Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas used to make cable coatings, pipes, and packaging materials. When ingested or consumed, vinyl chloride can cause serious injuries to the liver, as well as long-term nerve damage. Victims can also experience issues with blood flow to their hands.
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
TCE is a colorless and volatile liquid that can remain in groundwater for long periods. Ingesting or consuming this chemical can cause victims to experience health conditions like an irregular heartbeat, liver damage, and kidney damage. TCE also increases the chances that a person will experience some type of cancer.
Tetrachloroethylene (PCE)
PCE is a colorless and nonflammable liquid used as a dry cleaning agent. When PCE contaminates groundwater, it can cause victims to experience changes in mood, memory, and vision from just small doses. Just like TCE, PCE can increase the chances of cancer.
Breathing in high levels of PCE can cause victims to experience unconsciousness, headaches, and drowsiness.
Negative Health Effects Stemming From Camp Lejeune
Since being exposed to the contaminated water from Camp Lejeune, all parties that lived on the base during the specific period have experienced serious health conditions. Some of the health conditions include:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Adult leukemia
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Multiple myeloma
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Aplastic anemia
Holding the Government Accountable
If you or your loved one lived on base during the water contamination period, your health conditions are probably a result of the negligence of another party’s actions. Whether it was Camp Lejeune or the dry cleaning company that contaminated the water, you deserve to hold the right parties accountable for your injuries.
The serious health conditions you have developed after exposure to contaminated water are preventable. When one party’s negligence has caused you serious harm, you deserve to seek compensation for your injuries.
Filing for Disability Benefits
One of the ways that you can seek compensation for your injuries is by filing for disability benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). To qualify for these benefits, you would be responsible for proving that you lived on Camp Lejeune between August 1953 to December 1987.
You would also have to prove that you were not dishonorably discharged before separating from the military. If you have been dishonorably discharged, you will not receive disability benefits.
These disability benefits do not just apply to veterans. Family members of veterans, civilian staff members, and military staff members are allowed to file for disability benefits if they lived on the base within the same period. When filing for disability benefits, you must state the type of presumed illness you are applying for and provide evidence of that illness, usually through medical records or test results.
Suing for Compensation
Another way to seek compensation is to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit. Thanks to the recent passing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, veterans with serious health conditions have an easier time fighting for the justice they deserve. When filing your lawsuit, you have the right to sue for damages such as medical expenses, lost time from work, pain, and suffering, and even funeral expenses if your loved one passes away.
Just from the medical expenses you likely have to pay out of pocket, it will be worth fighting for your compensation.
Why You Need a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Attorney on Your Side
You will likely face large entities like the federal government to fight for your compensation. When you find yourself up against these organizations, you want a legal advocate on your side. A Camp Lejeune lawsuit lawyer can use their knowledge and negotiation skills to help you fight for compensation.
Negotiating for Greater Settlements
There is a greater chance that your lawsuit can result in a settlement. If that is the case, you want a skilled negotiator on your side who can demand the compensation that you deserve. A Camp Lejeune lawsuit lawyer can negotiate for greater amounts of compensation on your behalf.
Your lawyer can also prevent you from accidentally accepting “lowball offers” from ta responsible party. To make a lawsuit quietly go away, the defendant’s legal counsel will throw out a lowball offer and hope you accept it out of desperation. Your Camp Lejeune lawsuit attorney can protect you from being shortchanged.
Speak with a Sympathetic Camp Lejeune Lawsuit Lawyer Today
At Engstrom, Lipscomb, & Lack, we empathize with the turmoil your health conditions have caused you. We vow to fight for your rights as if you were one of our family members. Call a Camp Lejeune lawsuit lawyer today to schedule a consultation.