People who were exposed to harmful chemicals at Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in North Carolina between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, may be eligible for financial compensation for their disabilities, including claims that the Veterans Administration had previously rejected. Any military members who were on base at Camp Lejeune are susceptible to getting sick as a result of the polluted drinking water. According to the Federal Tort Claims Act, several military troops and members of their families started bringing Camp Lejeune claims against the government in 2009, claiming that the base’s contaminated water caused cancer and other illnesses. The Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 (CCLFA) provides healthcare benefits to veterans who were exposed to contaminated water.
Here are different types of compensation a plaintiff can expect in the Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.
Medical Benefits
The maximum a plaintiff is looking for in the lawsuit is reimbursement of medical bills and other related expenses. No matter if it’s a personal injury or a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit, medical expenses will take their toll on the victim. This is why any attorney will ask for medical bills, laboratory expenses, and medication costs before accounting for other damages. Since the victims of Camp Lejeune suffered from various minor to major illnesses and are still undergoing medical treatment, the medical costs have ruined the finances of many families. An experienced lawyer will expertly document all the expenses from the day of diagnosis till the present. Even if the case was previously rejected, there is a chance the victim will receive some sort of financial compensation for medical expenses.
Other Financial Compensations
Besides medical compensation, the victim can also receive other financial compensations, which are;
Pain and Suffering: Although difficult to calculate, pain and suffering are a justified claim. After the diagnosis, the victim and their loved ones have to suffer not only financial hardships but also stress, emotional trauma, and depression. In some cases, if the lawyer is experienced, compensation for mental anguish can be received.
Present and Future Earnings: For victims diagnosed with severe illnesses like cancer not only miss the present earnings but any future opportunities. The victim might miss working days due to doctor visits or subsequent medical treatments. There are cases where the defendants in these cases compensate for lost earnings due to the adverse medical condition of the victim.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses: You can also receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. They can include hospital visits, modification in-house to accommodate the victim’s condition, relocation to a new city for better treatment, and other such expenses. Such claims were previously rejected, but recently they have been part of the settlement amount.
Depending on the severity of your illness and other related factors, the victim can receive other payments. However, you must hire an experienced attorney who knows how to deal with government organizations to get the best possible compensation.
Approval of Camp Lejeune Justice Act
Due to mounting protests and public outcry, another positive outcome of this unfortunate incident is the approval of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. According to rumours in the legal profession, payment amounts will be subject to rules based on the claimant’s age, diagnosis, and degree of medical condition.
Moreover, any previously rejected claims can be re-appealed under the new act, which is good news for a lot of Camp Lejeune victims. Remember, the statute of limitations to file the case under the new act will expire in 2024, so act accordingly.
You should be aware of the fact that there will be a wide range of compensation amounts that can range from one million dollars per individual to 250,000 dollars. The victims of fatal and life-altering diseases such as cancer and Parkinson’s disease have a higher chance of fetching higher settlement amounts. You should consult an attorney to get an idea of the settlement amount and to enhance your chances of winning a fair settlement.