Access to safe drinking water is an internationally recognized human right and a goal for all nations. The Clean Water Act (CWA) lays guidelines regarding the discharge of pollutants into American waters. It also sets the quality standards for surface waters. But even a developed country like the US can mess up with the clean water goals, despite its rules and laws.
Environmental disasters like the Camp Lejeune water contamination highlight how the negligence of business owners and government can cause harm to innocent citizens. The toxic water at the Camp Lejeune Corps Base left countless victims battling severe health conditions with fatal consequences. While the disaster hit three decades ago, victims and families bear the pain until today.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act 2022 is an opportunity for them to seek justice and compensation for their pain and suffering. If you are a survivor or a family member of a deceased victim, you must consider filing a claim sooner than later. But before going ahead, you need to understand the legal implications of the lawsuit.
Here are a few reasons to get legal counsel before embarking on the quest for justice.
Understand Your Eligibility
American laws protect the rights of victims, but the ones relating to toxic exposure can be extremely complex. Eligibility is perhaps the most confusing part when it comes to filing a Camp Lejeune lawsuit. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry statistics indicate that over one million residents and workers were exposed to toxins in the drinking water in the area from 1953 to 1987.
Are they all eligible for payout for Camp Lejeune toxic exposure? Some eligibility criteria apply to these lawsuits, so claimants must get their facts right before filing a lawsuit. The best way to do it is by hiring a lawyer with relevant experience and a good track record with these lawsuits.
According to TorHoerman Law, victims should double-check the dates in the first place. A person should have lived at the site for at least thirty days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, to be eligible for the payout. They should have developed a medical condition due to toxin exposure and should be able to validate the link. Further, service members, civilian workers, families, and children exposed in-utero can rightfully seek compensation.
Gather Relevant Evidence
Understanding your eligibility is only the first step of the compensation process. Getting the damages you deserve boils down to proving facts in court. You cannot expect to do it without legal counsel, as in any other lawsuit. The truth is that establishing a connection between your current illnesses and a three-decade-old toxin exposure can be tricky.
A Camp Lejeune lawyer can make it possible by providing documentary evidence of your stay in the area during the said period. Most importantly, they can collaborate with a medical expert to get diagnostic evidence linking your disease with the toxic contaminants you consumed decades ago.
Besides dealing with complex paperwork, a legal expert can also help you navigate the lawsuit process. You can imagine the challenges and administrative hoops you will have to jump through to file a claim to the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
Maximize Your Compensation
You cannot take a one-size-fits-all approach to Camp Lejeune payouts because the settlement amount varies according to factors such as time spent at the base, the severity of your illness, the availability of evidence, and the strength of your case. The compensation includes the following elements:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Emotional damage
- Lost wages
- Loss of capacity to work
A lawyer is the best person to calculate the optimal value of compensation. They also ensure that you do not settle for less than what you deserve. You can get a settlement worth thousands of dollars, provided your lawyer is skilled and experienced enough.
You may have some qualms about paying the legal fees because it is hard to afford a lawyer when battling a severe disease like cancer. The good thing is that you can hire someone who charges a contingency fee, so you pay only when you win. They will do their best to maximize your payout because the contingency fee is cut from the compensation.
Conclusion
A Camp Lejeune lawsuit is a golden chance to get justice and compensation for a battle you may have already lost. But fighting it again takes courage and resilience. Having a seasoned lawyer representing you is your best bet. You must hire someone with the right skills, experience, and expertise to help you maximize your claim and bring your life back on track.
