About Camp Lejeune and Getting the Legal Help You Need As a Marine military base in NC, Camp Lejeune was founded in 1941. Camp Lejeune is one of the busiest and largest bases in the United States and is located on the Atlantic Ocean. The Camp is also the site of one of the worst public drinking water contaminations in our history. Between the years 1953 and 1987, toxic chemicals were leaching into the wells at the base. This caused serious contamination that may be responsible for cancers and other serious diseases among those who lived and worked at the Camp.
Not only was there a drycleaning shop on the base that dumped chemicals into the drain wastewater, but oil and industrial wastewater from the Marine Corps was dumped into storm drains. Additionally, it was found that radioactive materials were buried on the grounds of Camp Lejeune, and even the carcasses of dogs that were used in testing were buried at Camp Lejeune. All of these contaminants found their way into the wells at Camp Lejeune, thus into the drinking water of the residents.
Those who were at Camp Lejeune for the longest periods of time received the highest levels of toxic contaminants as they showered and bathed in the water, drank the water, and washed their clothes in the contaminated water. Although the Marine Corps claimed the Camp’s drinking water was unregulated, this was not entirely true. Harmful substances in the water were banned in the 1970s by the Department of Navy. Further, wells were closed on other military bases in the 70s due to solvents found in the water. What has been determined since that time is that the Marine Corps knew—at least for a decade before anything was done—that the organic solvents in the water were dangerous to human beings.
There was no serious testing of Camp Lejeune’s water until Grainger Laboratories came in to test the water in 1982. Despite the fact that the Grainger chemists sounded the alarm on multiple occasions regarding the hazardous water, it was not until Grainger notified the state of NC that anything was done. The contaminated wells remained in operation until late 1984 and early 1985 with some of the highest levels of toxic chemicals ever seen in a public water system. After ten wells were shut down, federal scientists determined the water had been contaminated since the early 1950s. Solvent levels in the tap water tested at 280 times higher than what the EPA now considers to be safe.
Those who were exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune may file a lawsuit for damages under the PACT Act (more information below). Having a strong Camp Lejeune attorney by your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your lawsuit. The Camp Lejeune law firm of Sullo & Sullo can help ensure you get the settlement you deserve for your injuries.
What is the PACT Act—and What Are the Procedures for Filing Through the PACT Act? Lawsuits were originally filed in an MDL with 850 plaintiffs but were dismissed in 2016 due to the statute of repose in North Carolina that only allows ten years between the time of the injury and the time the lawsuit is filed. The public was outraged of the dismissal which prompted a new federal law in Congress known as the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (CLJA). This Act allowed those exposed to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to file lawsuits and was then combined with the Honoring Our PACT Act, which was signed into law on August 10, 2022. Claimants only have two years from the date the PACT Act was enacted to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
Those who want to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit must have been stationed at or worked at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 for a minimum of 30 days. Additionally, claimants must have developed one of the cancers or other diseases linked to the water contamination at Camp Lejeune. Damages in a Camp Lejeune lawsuit could include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and more. Those who are already receiving VA benefits for their Camp Lejeune injuries will have their settlement amount reduced by the amount of those VA benefits.
Prior to filing your Camp Lejeune lawsuit, you will be required to go through the administrative claim process. Your claim must be submitted to the Dept. of Navy or JAG. The agency will have six months after you submit your claim to either deny your claim or accept your claim. If the claim is accepted, you will receive a settlement. If the claim is rejected, you can then file a federal lawsuit. It is likely that the administrative claim process will function as an initial screening process. If it is determined you are entitled to compensation for your Camp Lejeune injuries, you will probably be offered a settlement amount.
A Camp Lejeune lawsuit can be filed for your own injuries or for the wrongful death of a loved one. The personal representative of the estates of those who died as a result of injuries associated with the water contamination at Camp can file a lawsuit on behalf of the estate. The settlement would then go to the heirs of the decedent. A wrongful death claim can include medical expenses related to the contaminated water prior to the death, lost earnings of the decedent, loss of the decedent’s services and companionship, pain and mental suffering, and funeral expenses.
How Can You Be Sure Your Camp Lejeune Claim is Preserved? To ensure your Camp Lejeune claim is preserved there are certain steps you must take. First, you need to fully document your claim. Make sure you save every bill or invoice related to your medical treatments that are a direct result of your Camp Lejeune water contamination. Get a record of your time away from work from your supervisor. If you have suffered physical pain or mental pain and trauma as a result of the injuries caused by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, make sure these are fully documented as well. Keep a journal of how your physical and emotional pain has altered your life.
If you received treatment from a pain clinic or a psychologist or therapist, make sure all those expenses are fully documented. If you have doctors who will testify to your injuries and the associated damages, make sure your attorney has the necessary contact information. You must have lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days, so make sure you have documentation of your time at the Camp. Since you have a relatively limited amount of time in which to file your Camp Lejeune lawsuit under the PACT Act, you want to be sure you have all your “ducks in a row,” so to speak, so that your claim is fully preserved.
What Are the Statutes of Limitations for a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit? The statutes of limitations apply to most types of lawsuits and vary from state to state. The statute is the window of time you have in which to file a lawsuit. In general, if you miss that window of time, you are barred from ever filing your claim for damages. The Camp Lejeune situation is a bit different. While the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim in the state of North Carolina is three years and the statute of repose is ten years (which would mean none of those injured at Camp Lejeune would be able to file a claim), under the PACT Act, claimants have two years from August 10, 2022, to file their claim.
How Can an Experienced Camp Lejeune Attorney from Sullo & Sullo Help? The PACT Act has set aside $6.7 billion to pay claims for those injured as result of the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. It is important that you have a Camp Lejeune attorney for this process, as it is not as easy as simply filling out a form or two. Despite the government’s willingness to recognize the harm done to those who lived and worked at Camp Lejeune, this does not mean the process will be simple for those harmed. Certain legal documents must be filed in precise formats at specific times. If you do not have extensive knowledge of the court and its processes, you risk having your claim dismissed because you did not provide the right documentation or did not fill out a form correctly.
When you hire the Camp Lejeune law firm from Sullo & Sullo you pay nothing upfront. We file your Camp Lejeune lawsuit on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing unless and until we secure a settlement on your behalf. Your choice of attorney is important as it could mean the difference in getting the maximum compensation or settling for a lesser amount. This type of litigation requires extensive levels of time, knowledge, and financial resources. The experience Sullo & Sullo brings to the table is exceptional. We will fight for you and your future every step of the way. Having a Camp Lejeune cancer attorney from Sullo & Sullo helping you through this difficult time can make a significant difference in the outcome.