South Carolina Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyer
For decades, the United States Military exposed servicemembers and civilians living and working at Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, NC, to harmful substances via contaminated drinking water. Now, those who have developed illnesses as a result of their exposure have the opportunity to take legal action.
If you or a loved one have a health condition caused by toxic water at Camp Lejeune, you deserve justice, and Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC. can help. Our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers can fight to recover your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages via a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
The Military Knowingly Exposed Victims to Contaminated Water at Camp Lejeune
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that from August 1953 to December 1987, as many as 1 million servicemembers, civilian employees, and their families may have suffered exposure to toxic substances via two contaminated drinking water wells at Camp Lejeune.
Furthermore, according to a House hearing held by Congress in 2010, the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) knew about the contamination for four years before closing the affected wells in February 1985. The USMC also failed to disclose the contamination or its potential health effects for more than 20 years until forced to do so by an act of Congress.
Substances Found in the Water Cause Cancer and Other Severe Health Conditions
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that the water well contamination stemmed from on-base industrial activities, leaking storage tanks, and an off-base dry cleaner. For more than 30 years, the base’s drinking water contained several harmful compounds, including:
- Vinyl chloride
- Benzene
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Perchloroethylene (PCE)
These substances are linked with severe and fatal illnesses. The VA already recognizes the following 15 presumptive health conditions connected to Camp Lejeune water exposure:
- Bladder cancer
- Breast cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Kidney Cancer
- Lung Cancer
- Leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Hepatic steatosis
- Scleroderma
- Multiple myeloma
- Renal toxicity
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Neurobehavioral effects
- Miscarriage
- Female infertility
For a free legal consultation with a lawyer serving South Carolina, call 803-222-2222
You Can Seek Justice With a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
It was negligent and wrong to expose servicemembers, military employees, and their families to dangerous and harmful substances and then to cover up knowledge of the health risks for decades. Fortunately, new legislation allows those harmed to hold Camp Lejeune financially accountable in civil court.
Congress passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (CLJA) on Aug. 10, 2022, as part of the SFC Heath Robinson Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act of 2022 (S. 3373) (commonly referred to as the PACT Act). The law grants those sickened by toxic water exposure the right to seek compensation with a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.
How Can You Become Part of the Camp Lejeune Case?
You can take action against Camp Lejeune by becoming part of a mass tort lawsuit. A mass tort allows several plaintiffs who the same defendant has similarly harmed (often over time) to join together to seek compensation.
However, a mass tort is not the same as a class action lawsuit. With a class action, a group, or “class,” of plaintiffs represent all those harmed. With a mass tort, each plaintiff has their own attorney advocating for them and their unique case. This allows each plaintiff to receive personalized legal attention and awards tailored to their specific losses.
Who Qualifies for Legal Action?
If you have one of the 15 conditions listed above or any other health problem caused by Camp Lejeune water contamination, you can join the Camp Lejeune mass tort lawsuit. However, you must have served, lived, or worked on base for at least 30 cumulative days from Aug. 1, 1953, to Dec. 31, 1987. Legal action also extends to individuals exposed in-utero.
How Long Do You Have to File Your Claim?
Anyone wishing to join the Camp Lejeune lawsuit must file their case in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina within two years from the passage of the Act or within two years of the discovery of the illness. Your attorney can help you understand and meet the statute of limitations in your case.
Additionally, if you applied for benefits through the VA and the agency denied your claim, you have 180 days from receiving the denial to file suit. You can receive VA benefits and participate in a mass tort at the same time.
Generally, getting your case started as soon as possible is a good idea. Acting quickly allows our lawyers to gather and preserve evidence, interview witnesses and experts, and begin building your case before your time to pursue compensation expires. Failing to act within the established statute of limitations will likely leave you with no options for recovering your damages.
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Our Camp Lejeune Contamination Lawyers Will Pursue the Compensation You Deserve
If you or your loved one had or currently suffers from an illness caused by toxic water, our Camp Lejeune contamination lawyers will seek compensation for your losses. According to the PACT Act, you can pursue “appropriate relief for harm.” Potential damages include:
- Medical expenses. Our lawyers can help you recover compensation for your previous medical bills, current health care expenses, and necessary future treatments, including the cost of:
- Laboratory testing and diagnostic imaging
- Doctor and specialists’ fees
- Hospitalizations
- Medical procedures
- Rehabilitation or physical therapy
- Chemotherapy, radiation, and prescription medications
- Medical devices and equipment
- In-home health care
- Long-term nursing services
- Palliative care and hospice
- Pain and suffering. You or your loved one have the right to pursue awards for the ways your Camp Lejeune water contamination illness has negatively affected your quality of life. Our attorneys can pursue pain and suffering damages, also known as non-economic compensation, for your physical pain, mental anguish, emotional suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Lost income. We can secure reimbursement for income lost due to your Camp Lejeune illness, treatment, and recovery. Compensation may include your lost wages, health or retirement benefits, tips, bonuses, vacation pay, and other earnings. In addition, if your health condition has forced you to quit your job or reduce your hours, we can also pursue awards for the loss of your earning potential.
- Wrongful death. If your loved one died because of a Camp Lejeune water contamination illness, we can help you recover compensation for their wrongful death. Surviving family members can pursue medical damages, funeral and burial expenses, the deceased’s lost income, and non-economic awards.
We Will Use Our Mass Tort Experience to Fight for Every Cent Owed to You
The U.S. Congressional Budget Office estimates that the government will ultimately pay more than $6 billion in Camp Lejeune compensation. How much you are entitled to will depend on factors specific to you and your case, including your age, the cost of your medical treatment, the extent of your illness, and your condition’s effect on your life and ability to earn a living.
Our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit attorneys will fight for every cent owed to you and your family. The team at Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., has helped clients recover millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts in our firm’s 25-plus years in practice. Additionally, our lawyers currently represent clients in several high-profile mass tort cases, including:
- 3M earplugs lawsuits
- Paragard IUD lawsuits
- Roundup lawsuits
- Hernia mesh lawsuits
- Talcum powder lawsuits
- Zantac lawsuits
- Robinhood lawsuits
Will VA Benefits Affect Your Awards?
According to the VA, veterans and their family members who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune during the contamination period and have one of the 15 previously discussed presumptive conditions automatically qualify for VA health care benefits. Furthermore, veterans with one of the following eight presumptive conditions automatically qualify for disability payments:
- Bladder cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Adult leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Multiple myeloma
- Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
Any compensation you win in a Camp Lejeune mass tort lawsuit will be offset by the amount of health or disability benefits you currently receive through the VA. Our lawyers can tell you more about how your VA payments may affect your final mass tort financial award.
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Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., Will Handle Every Detail of Your Camp Lejeune Case
The idea of joining a mass tort lawsuit against the government may seem daunting, but seeking the awards you deserve does not have to become a burden on you and your family. Our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers will handle your legal issues so that you can focus on your health and your loved ones.
We Will Prove Your Illness Resulted From Camp Lejeune Exposure
To win compensation in a Camp Lejeune contamination lawsuit, you will need to establish you were on base for 30 or more days between August 1953 and December 1987. You will also need to prove that toxic water exposure caused your health condition.
Our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers obtain evidence supporting your claim, which may include the following:
- Medical records
- Scientific and medical research establishing a connection between your health condition and the harmful compounds found in the on-base water wells
- Proof you served, lived, or worked on base during the contamination period (such as base housing records, utility bills, military orders, and tax documents)
- Proof establishing your relationship with a Camp Lejeune veteran (such as a marriage license, birth certificate, or adoption papers)
- Opinions from various subject matter experts, including medical professionals, scientists, vocational experts, and economists
- Medical bills, pay stubs, receipts, and other documentation proving your financial losses
- Testimony from friends, family, coworkers, and loved ones regarding your illness and how it affects your quality of life
We Will Advocate for You Every Step of the Way
Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., has built a reputation for aggressive legal representation. We work tirelessly for our clients, and we do not bow down to powerful or wealthy defendants.
Throughout your Camp Lejeune mass tort lawsuit, we will be your voice. Our team will:
- Prepare, file, and manage case paperwork
- Track and adhere to deadlines
- Communicate with involved parties on your behalf
- Represent you during negotiations and fight for the most advantageous case resolution possible
- Make appearances for you when possible
- Meet with you wherever is most convenient for you and your family, whether that is our offices, your home, or the hospital
- Make ourselves available to address your questions and concerns
- Send you frequent and timely case updates
- Take your case to trial if necessary
We strive to provide personalized, professional legal services tailored to your needs, and we will stand by your side throughout our fight to resolve your case. We believe our positive testimonials speak for themselves. Just hear what these previous clients have to say:
“Wonderful team, they went above and beyond for me. No question went unanswered and anything I needed they provided. Would use again and always refer people to use them. They’re the best.” -Joel McCall
“The lawyers at the Anastopoulo Law Firm are professional, reliable, and ready to fight for their clients. I would highly recommend this firm to any friend, family member, or acquaintance.” -Lisa Ward
Our Services Will Not Add to Your Financial Stress
Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., does not want the cost of a lawyer to deter clients from seeking justice. We believe everyone deserves quality legal representation, regardless of their current financial situation, and we know your Camp Lejeune illness has likely already strained your finances.
We do not want to add to your financial burden, which is why we take cases on contingency. You owe our firm nothing upfront or out-of-pocket. Instead, our fees come from an agreed-upon percentage of your settlement or verdict. We only get paid if we obtain compensation for you and your family.
Call Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., Today
No one should get away with hurting innocent people, especially not our government. Our military owes its veterans, employees, and their families respect, dignity, gratitude, and justice. If you or your loved one suffer or suffered from a health condition caused by toxic water exposure at Camp Lejeune, let us fight for you. Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., serves clients at several locations throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Call us today to take advantage of a no-obligation, no-cost case evaluation. Or contact us online 24/7 to schedule a free consultation and learn more about working with our Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
