Lawyer for Aplastic Anemia Camp Lejeune Lawsuit
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was passed by the U.S. Senate on August 2, 2022 as part of The Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, better known as the PACT Act. The following week, President Biden signed the PACT Act into law, finally giving those who were harmed by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune the chance to file a lawsuit against the U.S. government.
For over thirty years, several dangerous chemicals were present in the water supply at Camp Lejeune military base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. Those who were exposed to these contaminants suffered a wide variety of illnesses, including aplastic anemia – a rare disorder where the body is unable to produce enough blood cells. If you or your family member developed aplastic anemia due to toxic chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to monetary compensation. However, there is a limited amount of time to file one of these lawsuits, so you must take immediate action on a Camp Lejeune injury claim. Please contact our office and schedule a time to meet with one of our attorneys.
Aplastic Anemia: A Brief OverviewAs previously stated, aplastic anemia is a serious condition in which the body has trouble producing new blood cells. The condition is also referred to as bone marrow aplasia because it originates from damage to the bone marrow. Those with aplastic anemia are at greater risk of uncontrollable bleeding and infections, which is why the disease is so dangerous. Signs of aplastic anemia include:
- Pale skin
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Rapid / irregular heart rate
- Nosebleeds
- Bleeding gums
- Excessive bleeding from cuts
- Frequent and/or prolonged infections
- Unexplained bruising
- Skin rash
- Dizziness / headaches
- Fever
Aplastic anemia is rare, but there are risk factors can increase your chance of developing the disease. These include undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatments, use of certain prescription drugs, and being exposed to toxic chemicals. Exposure to benzene, for example, has been linked to the development of aplastic anemia according to the Mayo Clinic and the National Institute of Health.
During August 1, 1953 to December 31, 1987, the water supply at Camp Lejeune was contaminated by various toxic chemicals, such as:
- Tetrachloroethylene (PCE or PERC)
- Trichloroethylene (TCE)
- Vinyl Chloride
- Benzene
The U.S. military was aware of these contaminants and where they were coming from. Chemicals like benzene came from leaking fuel tanks, and a nearby dry cleaner leaked PCE and PERC chemicals into the groundwater. Improper disposal of industrial waste was another major source of water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
Sadly, military leadership chose to hide the dangers associated with the water supply at Camp Lejeune. Their negligence put the lives of one million service members, civilian staff, and their family members at risk. Due to their exposure to the contaminated water supply, many of these people were diagnosed with aplastic anemia and related health conditions, such as lymphocytic leukemia, graft vs. host disease, Myelofibrosis, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms, and pure red cell aplasia.
I was Stationed at Camp Lejeune and I have Aplastic Anemia. What are the Steps I need to Take?The passing of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act as part of the PACT Act means that Camp Lejeune water contamination victims and their loved ones can finally seek damages for the harm they’ve suffered. But a lawsuit is complicated in general, and even more so when you’re suing the U.S. government. The most important step you can take is to find out about your rights and legal options from an experienced attorney. The lawyers of DTLA can explain the Camp Lejeune lawsuit process and assist you with the filing of an injury or wrongful death claim. We have many years of experience in the recovery of personal injury settlements, so you can trust in our ability to secure your payment.
Please give us a call and speak to a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit attorney.
Your Right to Sue as a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination VictimThe Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows anyone who lived or worked at the base from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, for at least 30 days, exposed to the contaminated water and suffered injuries, to file a claim against the U.S. government. This means you do not need to be a veteran or relative of a deceased veteran to file a claim, though the vast majority of cases will involve former military members. However, those who were dishonorably discharged, or family members of a dishonorably discharged individual are ineligible to file a lawsuit.
How can I Prove that I am Eligible for Compensation?These cases occurred many years ago, so it’s understandable that claimants are worried about how they can prove their eligibility for compensation. Here is a list of documents that can serve as evidence:
- Medical bills and reports
- Military / housing records
- Correspondence from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (VA)
- Health insurance records
- Wage statements / employment records
If you need help locating these documents along with other evidence that may be available, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We can ensure that you have what it takes to prove that you or your loved one developed aplastic anemia from toxic chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune.
Should I Join a Class Action Lawsuit or should I File my own Individual Lawsuit?Considering that over one million people were at Camp Lejeune during the period of contamination, a class action lawsuit is more than likely to happen. If you are interested in joining a class action, our lawyers can explain the process to you and help you join one of these lawsuits as it becomes available. But you also have the option of pursuing a lawsuit on your own, which may be more beneficial to you and your loved ones. We can go over your legal options and help you make an informed choice, so please contact us at your earliest convenience.
If there a Time Period to file a Lawsuit or Join a Class Action Lawsuit?Yes, according to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, claimants have a two year window from the signing date of the PACT Act to file a lawsuit for monetary damages. That means you have until August 10, 2024 to bring a lawsuit against the U.S government, whether you are claiming funds for yourself or on behalf of a deceased family member. Please be aware that if you do not file your lawsuit by the two-year deadline, you will most likely forfeit your right to sue for compensation.
Whether you are filing a lawsuit on your own or joining a class action, all Camp Lejeune lawsuits will be need to be field with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina. This is one major difference between Camp Lejeune lawsuits and other types of personal injury claims, but there will be many other protocols that you need to be aware of. Our lawyers can educate you in this area and ensure that you are fairly compensated for your injuries.
Average Case Value for Aplastic Anemia Diagnosis Camp Lejeune LawsuitSince the PACT Act was passed so recently, there’s no way to determine an average value for a Camp Lejeune lawsuit at this point in time. But if we had to make an educated guess based on similar lawsuits, we estimate that many of these cases are worth 6-figures, perhaps in the range of $150,000 to $300,000 and above. Cases involving severe health conditions like aplastic anemia, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease will likely have the highest values, with the most severe cases resulting in settlements of $1 million or more.
Keep in mind that this is general information, and that each case has its own set of factors that will affect the amount that can be recovered. If you’re interested in learning what you could potentially receive from a Camp Lejeune aplastic anemia lawsuit, contact our office and schedule a free case review.
How long does it take to Settle these Cases?At this point, it’s too early in the Camp Lejeune claims process to say how long the average case will take to settle. It’s our goal to recover your payment within 6 to 8 months from the filing of your injury claim. But there are many factors that we can’t control, which can hold up the settlement process. Additionally, some cases have circumstances that are far more complicated than others, and these cases may necessitate a trial. If that happens, it may take 2 years or more to settle your Camp Lejeune lawsuit.
Representation from a Camp Lejeune Lawsuit AttorneyIf you are in need of representation for a Camp Lejeune aplastic anemia lawsuit, please take a moment to contact out law firm. Our attorneys can address all your questions and concern during a private consultation, which is completely free. If you decide to pursue an injury claim, we will offer you a Zero fee guarantee so that you pay nothing upfront for our services. In fact, we don’t get paid at all until we recover your settlement. If we don’t win your case, you owe us absolutely nothing, no matter how much work went into your claim.
A Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyer is just a phone call away, so contact our office as soon as you can.
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