Camp Lejeune is the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast and has provided housing to hundreds of thousands of servicemen and women. Unfortunately, the water at this camp was contaminated with toxic chemicals from industrial activities between the 1950s to the 1980s. This has resulted in serious health issues for residing veterans and their families. This negligence is unjust in many ways. In this article, we will discuss the legalities of how Camp Lejeune victims can file a lawsuit after suffering harm from exposure to toxic water.
Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012
The United States Congress passed this Act of 2012 to provide certain benefits to veterans and their families who were exposed to contaminated water at the camp. Under this Act, eligible veterans and their family members can receive healthcare benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs if they suffer from any of the 15 presumptive illnesses or conditions associated with the toxic substances. These conditions include multiple types of cancers affecting the kidney, lungs, breast, bladder, and prostate. Other ailments that have since been linked to this exposure include adult leukemia, aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, Parkinson’s disease, and scleroderma. If you have health concerns or symptoms potentially related to the exposure, consult with a healthcare professional to determine if there is a connection between your symptoms and the contaminants.
Filing a Lawsuit
You should start by checking whether you’re eligible for VA benefits by checking the requirements on the Veterans’ Affairs website (www.va.gov) or consulting with a VA representative. To explore the possibility of filing this type of lawsuit, it is essential to consult with an attorney experienced in environmental or military-related claims. They will help you understand your options and guide you through the appropriate legal process, which may include filing a claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) or another applicable avenue. Typically, individuals who file a lawsuit must prove that their health condition was caused by exposure to toxic substances, as it is not automatically assumed by the government. Therefore, you must provide medical evidence that links your health condition to the Camp Lejeune contaminated water.
Lastly, keep yourself updated on any new information, legal developments, or health studies related to toxic exposure. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintains a registry for those who were exposed to contaminants at Camp Lejeune. In addition, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) conducts health studies and maintains records related to environmental exposures, including those at the affected military bases. As such, registering with the VA will help you stay up to date about health studies and other information related to the contamination.
Conclusion
Since drinking contaminated water at the camp has caused health problems for many veterans and their families, those affected by the toxic water must act as soon as possible. Remember that each case is unique, and the best course of action will depend on your circumstances. It’s best to get the details together and understand how to build your case. Consulting with a medical professional and an attorney experienced in this area can help you determine the most appropriate steps for your situation.