Veterans have sacrificed their lives and well-being for their country. They deserve access to treatment for injuries and illnesses they incurred during their service. The Marines and their family members who served at Camp Lejeune may qualify for disability benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Water contamination at the base occurred between 1953 and 1987, resulting in severe diseases and medical conditions for some of the people exposed.
At GED Lawyers, our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit lawyers are ready to help veterans and their families recover the compensation they deserve. Our firm can handle your lawsuit from start to finish so you can focus on your health.
What Contaminated the Water at Camp Lejeune?
Between 1953 and 1987, toxic chemicals found their way into the two water supplies at Camp Lejeune. An off-base dry cleaner, along with other nearby industrial facilities, polluted the drinking water with perchloroethylene (PCE), trichloroethylene (TCE), and a variety of other chemicals. It took years for officials to become aware of the problem and begin studying the effects of chemicals.
Since then, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) has linked victims’ exposure to several diseases and medical conditions. VA recognizes certain conditions and provides disability benefits for qualifying veterans. These benefits extend to veterans’ family members who lived with them at Camp Lejeune and suffered exposure to the contaminated water.
Who Qualifies for Compensation for a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Case?
Veterans and their families have to meet strict criteria to receive VA disability benefits. They must provide evidence that they resided at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1953 and December 1987. Veterans must not have gotten dishonorable discharge, either.
Victims must also provide medical documentation of one of these service-related conditions:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Female infertility
- Hepatic steatosis (fatty liver disease)
- Kidney cancer
- Leukemia
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Renal toxicity
- Scleroderma
- Lung cancer
- Miscarriage
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
Children who suffered exposure to Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water during their mother’s pregnancy may also qualify for benefits.
How VA Pays Disability Benefits to Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Victims
The diseases and conditions resulting from exposure to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune can be severe and life-threatening. You may require years of medical care to cope with an illness. If your illness leads to a permanent disability, you may not return to work and earn a living. This can devastate a family, and no veteran deserves to struggle without help.
VA disability benefits can make a huge difference and keep a family afloat. They typically cover out-of-pocket healthcare expenses within a specific time frame, depending on how long you lived at Camp Lejeune. VA assigns a disability rating after a physical examination to determine how much a victim can receive in monthly benefits. Usually, VA sends claimants to an authorized physician for a compensation and pension exam (C&P Exam). You may have options to see your personal physician, though.
If VA Denies Your Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim
VA often denies claims for disability benefits for a variety of reasons. It may question whether your illness is service-related or assign you a low disability rating, which results in fewer benefits.
If either of these instances occurs, our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers can help. We can file a lawsuit on your behalf and seek the compensation you and your family deserve.
Current Laws Affecting Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Cases
Several laws come into effect for victims pursuing compensation for Camp Lejeune water contamination. In 2012, the Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act first gave veterans the opportunity to seek VA disability benefits for illnesses they acquired due to exposure to toxins.
Another act, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, would only extend those rights if Congress passes it. Specifically, it would extend North Carolina’s statute of limitations, allowing victims and their family members to sue for their exposure-related illnesses.
How Our Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Attorneys Can Help
Handling a VA claim or a lawsuit alone is complicated enough without dealing with injuries. You deserve to focus on your health and the well-being of your family right now. You don’t have to hassle with the legal process alone. We can take care of your case from start to finish so you can move forward.
Our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers can:
- Investigate your injuries or illnesses
- Gather evidence of its connection to your time at Camp Lejeune
- Handle all the paperwork associated with your lawsuit
- Meet important deadlines to protect your right to compensation
- Negotiate a settlement and assess any offers
- Represent you in a trial
Our case results speak to the client-focused legal care we afford victims and their families. We advocate for veterans and want to get the care you need.
Let Our Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit Legal Team Handle Your Case
At GED Lawyers, we value the sacrifices our veterans have made, and we strive to protect their rights. We want to help you or a family member seek fair compensation for a service-related illness. Our firm works on contingency to help our clients afford legal representation. You do not have to risk further financial loss to partner with our firm.
If VA denied your claim for disability benefits, let our firm help. Our attorneys can handle your case while you rest and recover. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can begin building your case and protecting your right to fair compensation. Call us today to get started.
