Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune & Wrongful Death

The contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is believed to have exposed about 1 million service members, their families, and other civilians to toxic chemicals.

These toxins have since been linked to a variety of health conditions, including more than a dozen types of cancer. Tragically, some Camp Lejeune victims have already passed away from illnesses related to the water.

You may be able to file a Camp Lejeune wrongful death claim, even if your loved one passed away decades ago or you’re not sure their death was related to the contaminated water.

Camp Lejeune wrongful death settlements have already awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars to some families.

The deadline to take legal action is August 10, 2024, so it’s in your best interest to act quickly.

Can I File a Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

Filing a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit is a way to honor victims of this national tragedy and seek justice for the pain and suffering they endured.

You may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit if a loved one:

• Lived or worked at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987
• Spent a minimum of 30 days there
• Experienced health issues related to the contaminated water before their death

Passed in August 2022, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (part of the PACT Act) makes it possible for victims of the toxic water and their loved ones to seek compensation for their injuries through Camp Lejeune lawsuits.

Health Conditions Linked to the Contaminated Water

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other dangerous substances were found in the Camp Lejeune water supply. Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water has been linked to dozens of illnesses, including many that can be life-threatening.

Medical conditions related to the contaminated water include:

• Aplastic anemia
• Bladder cancer
• Brain cancer
• Breast cancer
• Cardiac defects
• Cervical cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Kidney disease
• Leukemia
• Liver cancer
• Liver disease
• Lung cancer
• Lymphomas
• Multiple myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Pancreatic cancer
• Parkinson’s disease and other neurological effects
• Prostate cancer
• Rectal cancer
• Sarcoma

Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuits allow surviving family members to take legal action on a loved one’s behalf and pursue compensation from the federal government for the harm the victim suffered.

Steps to File a Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Camp Lejeune lawyers are personal injury lawyers who focus on helping victims and their families file claims to pursue financial compensation for harm related to the toxic water.

These lawyers make the legal process as simple and stress-free as possible for families. This means they can handle all aspects of a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit on your behalf and keep you informed as your claim moves forward.

While every lawsuit is unique, the basic steps involved in a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit are listed below.

1. Contact a Camp Lejeune Lawyer

A lawyer may be able to file a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit on your loved one’s behalf and pursue the justice and compensation your family deserves.

2. Collect Evidence

Your Camp Lejeune lawyer and their legal team will gather evidence linking your loved one’s health condition to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.

This may include:

• Medical records
• Military service records
• Employment documents
• Expert witness reports

The goal of this evidence is to show that your loved one spent at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and had a health condition related to the toxic water.

Even if your loved one passed away years ago and you no longer have these records, your legal team can help collect all of the documentation needed for a successful Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit.

3. File Your Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Your lawyer will file your Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit against the federal government on your behalf, ensuring that your claim is filed correctly and before the August 10, 2024, deadline.

Your legal team will provide regular updates and be available to answer any questions you may have.

4. Negotiate a Wrongful Death Payout

Your attorney will fight to get you the largest Camp Lejeune wrongful death payout possible.

In many cases, families will be able to access compensation through a Camp Lejeune settlement. Settlements typically provide quicker access to compensation and allow victims to receive payouts without ever stepping foot inside a courtroom.

However, if a settlement can’t be reached, your legal team will be ready to argue your case in court and get you the compensation you’re entitled to.

Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Payout Amounts

Camp Lejeune wrongful death settlement amounts will likely vary from case to case.

However, here’s some information that sheds light on potential Camp Lejeune wrongful death payout amounts.

In September 2023, the U.S. Department of the Navy (DON) and Department of Justice (DOJ) enacted a system of expedited payouts for Camp Lejeune claims involving certain illnesses. Under this tiered system, water contamination victims and their families can voluntarily accept a set payout through this Elective Option (EO) to resolve their claims.

That said, many legal experts predict that successful Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuits will provide families with more compensation than the EO in many cases.

In fact, some experts anticipate that Camp Lejeune wrongful death settlement amounts could hit $1 million or more in some instances.

A Camp Lejeune attorney can review the facts of your potential case and help you determine the path that makes the most sense for your family.

5 Factors That May Impact a Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Payout

Camp Lejeune wrongful death payouts will vary depending on the specifics of each case.

Here are 5 factors to consider if you’re trying to get an idea of the value of your potential Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit:

1. Age of victim: The age of the water contamination victim at both the time of diagnosis and death may play a role in the Camp Lejeune wrongful death payout. Cases involving younger victims typically award more compensation.
2. Health condition involved: Families of victims with certain health conditions, including certain Camp Lejeune cancers, may qualify for larger settlements, especially if the illness resulted in costly medical expenses.
3. Length of time on base: The more time a victim spent on base, the larger the potential payout.
4. Loss of earnings: When a person’s life is cut short, so is their ability to earn money. Payout amounts may take into consideration a victim’s lost earning potential.
5. Number of dependents: Additional settlement money may be awarded when a water contamination victim was responsible for providing care for a spouse, children, or other dependents.

An experienced lawyer can give you a better idea of what your Camp Lejeune wrongful death payout could be worth.

What Is the Deadline to File a Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Claim?

Camp Lejeune families have until August 10, 2024, to file a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit.

Once this deadline passes, you’ll be unable to take legal action and pursue justice and compensation on behalf of your loved one.

To make sure that you don’t miss your window of opportunity, it’s best to contact a Camp Lejeune lawyer as soon as possible. They can explain your legal options and ensure that your claim is filed before the deadline.

Get Help With a Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The toxic water at Camp Lejeune placed as many as 1 million Americans in harm’s way. Sadly, many have already passed away from health conditions related to the contaminated water.

If your loved one died from an illness connected to the water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation from a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit.

While no amount of money can erase the pain that comes with losing someone close to you, it can help you honor them and hold the federal government accountable.

As leaders in Camp Lejeune litigation, the law firms in our network have already helped over 30,000 families with their claims.

Our legal partners can help Camp Lejeune families in all 50 states, and they never charge any upfront or hourly fees.