New York City Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawyer
Have you or a loved one developed an illness after living at Camp Lejeune for some time between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987? If so, you might be able to sue the federal government and receive compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more.
Congress recently passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021, which gives certain individuals the right to sue the government and recover damages. The New York City Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers with Rosenbaum and Rosenbaum, P.C., can help you every step of the way.
For more information, contact our personal injury law firm in New York City, NY, today at (212) 514-5007. We offer a free initial consultation to provide legal advice and review your case.
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How Can Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers, Assist With a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim in NYC?
By now, the water contamination at Camp Lejeune is well-documented – as are the serious illnesses it has caused. If you have fallen ill due to Camp Lejeune water contamination, you deserve to be compensated. Fortunately, the federal government agrees, which is why the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 was passed. But that still doesn’t mean you’ll automatically receive compensation.
Rosenbaum and Rosenbaum, PC, employs a team of experienced, motivated New York City personal injury attorneys who are ready to go to bat for you. Our lawyers have over 40 years of combined experience, and we’ve collected tens of millions of dollars on behalf of personal injury victims. When you hire our legal team, we can help with your claim by:
- Internally investigating the full extent of your damages
- Collecting evidence to help prove your claim
- Handling all communications and paperwork on your behalf
- Apprising you of your legal options and rights at all stages of the process
- Filing a lawsuit and even bringing your case to trial if the circumstances demand it
To get started with forming an attorney-client relationship, reach out to our law offices in New York City, New York, today. We’re available 24/7 to take your call.
An Overview of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Camp Lejuene is a Marine Corps training facility located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. The base has 14 miles of beaches and is about 246 square miles in total. These attributes make it an excellent location for amphibious and other related types of training.
Specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are known to cause a number of serious illnesses were discovered in the drinking water at Camp Lejuene in 1982. It was determined that this contamination began in the 1950s; it wasn’t until 1985 that the contaminated wells were shut down.
As many as one million people might have been impacted by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in total, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021
On August 10, 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 into law. This Act allows certain people to sue the government for damages caused by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. This is critical because, in most instances, the government is protected by lawsuits via sovereign immunity.
The Act specifically gives individuals who were exposed to the contaminated water for at least 30 cumulative days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, the right to sue for compensation. You must have also developed one of the following diseases:
- Bladder cancer.
- Cervical cancer.
- Myelodysplastic syndrome.
- Cardiac defect.
- Brain cancer
- Central Nervous System cancer (CNS).
- Leukemia.
- Esophageal cancer.
- Hodgkins Lymphoma.
- Kidney cancer.
- Liver cancer.
- Myelodysplastic syndromes.
- Lung cancer.
- Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
- Multiple myeloma.
- Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.
- Ovarian cancer.
- Rectal cancer.
- Prostate cancer.
- Epilepsy.
- Fatty liver disease (hepatic steatosis).
- Female Infertility.
- Kidney damage.
- Immune disorders.
- Miscarriage.
- Breast cancer.
- Neurobehavioral effects.
- Parkinson’s disease.
- Renal toxicity/disease.
- Nerve damage
- Scleroderma.
This list is not necessarily exhaustive, however. Other illnesses may qualify you to receive compensation as well. You can also still receive compensation even if you have already received some benefits from the Veteran’s Administration (VA).
In addition to the above requirements, you must initially file a claim with the Department of the Navy under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) before you are eligible to file a lawsuit under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act. If your claim is denied or if six months pass with no decision, you can then file a lawsuit.
If you have any questions about your eligibility to sue, reach out to our Camp Lejeune water contamination attorneys in New York City today. We can provide you with useful insight during your free consultation.
What Damages Can I Receive in a New York City Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit?
You can receive compensation in the form of economic and non-economic damages as part of your New York City Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit.
Economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning capacity
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
Punitive damages are not available for lawsuits filed under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.
How Much Time Do I Have To File My Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit in New York?
In most instances, you will have two years from the date the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was enacted (August 10, 2022) or 180 days after your FTCA claim was denied, whichever is later, to file your lawsuit.
However, this law is still new, and some of its terms may be open to interpretation, including the filing deadlines. We recommend that you file your FTCA claim – which you must do before filing your lawsuit – no later than 18 months from August 10, 2022.
In addition, we recommend promptly reaching out to our attorneys if you are considering filing a claim and are not sure whether you still have time to do so. If you miss the deadline for filing your claim or lawsuit, you won’t be able to receive any compensation.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced New York City Medical Malpractice Attorney at Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers
You have the right to sue the government and receive compensation if you’ve been harmed by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. However, the government will not simply hand over a check. You’ll have to assert and prove your claim not just in court but in an administrative process as well.
The New York City Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers with Rosenbaum Personal Injury Lawyers can provide you with legal guidance and assistance from start to finish. Call today to schedule a free consultation with a trusted, experienced lawyer.