Can I file a claim for Watkins Village water contamination at Camp Lejeune?
Yes. Learn more about the process and the details below.
The Watkins Village part of Camp Lejeune has 312 residences for military personnel and their families. It was opened in 1977. Water was supplied to Watkins Village by the on-base water treatment plant at Hadnot Point. In 1982, it was discovered that the water supply system for Watkins Village was severely contaminated. The most worrisome of the contaminants were trichlorethylene, perchloroethylene, benzene and vinyl chloride. Contaminants at certain locations on the base were 400 times more than allowed. It wasn’t until decades later that the above contaminants were linked to various cancers and other physical illnesses. As the statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits had run many years before the cancers, illnesses and links were discovered, victims had no legal recourse.
Cancers and Illnesses Linked to Watkins Village Water from Hadnot Point
Residents at Watkins Village regularly drank, bathed in, cooked with and otherwise used or were exposed to the Hadnot Point contaminated water. The contaminants have been linked to the following cancers and physical illnesses:
- Brain, esophageal, breast, lung, bladder, liver, stomach, cervical and ovarian and other cancers.
- Aplastic anemia.
- Multiple myeloma.
- Parkinson’s disease.
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- Neurobehavioral disorders.
- Female infertility.
- Birth defects.
- Wrongful deaths.
- Other physical illnesses and conditions.
Victims Had No Legal Remedy
There are genuine questions as to whether the federal government knew or should have known about the contaminated wells long before they were finally shut down in 1984 and 1985. On the basis of the statute of limitations issue, victims of contaminated water at Camp Lejeune remained locked out of the front doors of the courthouse for many years.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act
After intense lobbying on behalf of victims who had no access to justice, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act was passed. President Joe Biden signed the act into law on August 10, 2022. Veterans, their family members and civilian employees were lived or worked on the base between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, who suffered cancers or illnesses because of the contaminated Camp Lejeune water are eligible to seek file a lawsuit and pursue an award of damages under the act. They need only have been on the base for 30 days during that period, and the days need not be consecutive. Damages that they can seek under the act follow:
- Past and future medical bills.
- Past and future lost earnings.
- Any permanent disability or disfigurement.
- Pain and suffering.
- Emotional distress.
- Other valuable damages in the event of a wrongful death.
How Long Do I have to File a Camp Lejeune Justice Act Lawsuit?
The new statute of limitations under the Camp Lejeune Justice act extends out to August 10, 2024. After that, nearly all lawsuits brought under the act are likely to be dismissed. Take notice that you must first file a claim with the federal government before you can file your lawsuit. If your claim is rejected, you can then file your lawsuit immediately thereafter.
These cases involve complex litigation. You’ll be in need of a quality, dedicated and aggressive Camp Lejeune Justice Act lawyer. If we’re retained to represent you, we can file your claim and lawsuit on your behalf. You can learn more about whether you qualify to bring an action under the subject act by arranging for a consultation and case review with our Camp Lejeune Justice Act lawyer here at Maison Law. We’ll be pleased to answer your questions and discuss your legal options with you. Remember that a claim must be filed with the federal government before you can file your lawsuit, and the general deadline for filing that lawsuit is August 10, 2024. Exercise due diligence, and contact us for that free consultation as soon as you possibly can.
