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New York City Camp Lejeune water contamination lawyers play a crucial role in assisting affected individuals in navigating the legal process of filing a claim or lawsuit related to the ingestion of contaminated water in the U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeuine in North Carolina. If you need assistance in appealing a claim for Camp Lejeune water contamination, you can call us at 212-233-1233 or send us an email at [email protected].
The passage of the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 has provided an opportunity for affected individuals to sue the federal government for compensation. Those who lived or worked at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, can seek damages and claim compensation for health issues related to the contaminated water exposure. However, before filing a lawsuit, individuals are required to file an administrative claim with the Navy Judge Advocate General's Office by August 10, 2024. If you have filed this claim with the office and it has been denied, you may file a lawsuit with the federal court.
The Law Offices of Albert Goodwin can provide invaluable assistance to individuals seeking compensation for damages related to appeals arising from Camp Lejeune water contamination. We advise clients on legal options and rights, providing clear and accessible explanations of the legal process and what to expect at each stage, offering guidance on the strengths and weaknesses of the case and the likelihood of success, discussing potential settlement offers and advising on whether to accept or proceed to trial, and keeping clients informed of developments in their case and any changes in the legal landscape.
Overview of Camp Lejeune Water Contamination
Camp Lejeune is a U.S. Marine Corps base located in Jacksonville, North Carolina. In the early 1980s, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were initially detected in the drinking water supply wells at Camp Lejeune. The primary contaminants identified were trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE), with other hazardous chemicals such as benzene and vinyl chloride also detected. The contamination was linked to on-base industrial activities and an off-base dry cleaning facility, with levels of contaminants found to be significantly higher than the maximum safe limits set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The contamination is believed to have begun as early as 1953, with the introduction of VOCs into the water supply, and continued until the affected wells were shut down in 1985.
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021
The Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 was signed into law by President Biden on August 10, 2022, as part of the Honoring our PACT Act. The Act aims to provide a pathway for affected individuals to seek compensation for their injuries and damages, marking a significant step forward in acknowledging the government's responsibility for the contamination and its impact on service members, families, and civilians. It includes provisions allowing certain individuals to sue the government for damages and creates an exception to the government's sovereign immunity. The Act provides a two-year window from the date of enactment for individuals to file a claim or lawsuit and enables claimants to seek compensation for damages related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. It allows for the recovery of damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, and specifies that the United States is liable for damages under the Federal Tort Claims Act, subject to certain conditions and limitations. Given this short time window, you must have filed your claim by August 10, 2024.
To be eligible for filing a lawsuit under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, an individual must have resided, worked, or otherwise been exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987. The individual must have suffered harm that was caused by the exposure to contaminated water, and the harm must be associated with one or more of the specified diseases or conditions listed in the Act. Additionally, the individual must not have previously filed a lawsuit or received compensation from the government for the same harm.
The Act lists several diseases that qualify for compensation, including kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, adult leukemia, multiple myeloma, Parkinson's disease, aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes, bladder cancer, esophageal cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, scleroderma, renal toxicity, hepatic steatosis, female infertility, miscarriage, and neurobehavioral effects.
To file a claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), a claimant must first file an administrative claim with the appropriate federal agency (Navy Judge Advocate General's Office) by August 10, 2024. The administrative claim must include a written demand for a specific dollar amount and a description of the injuries and damages suffered. The federal agency has six months to respond to the administrative claim by either accepting, rejecting, or making a counteroffer. If the administrative claim is denied or not fully resolved within six months, the claimant may file a lawsuit in federal court. The lawsuit must be filed within six months of the denial of the administrative claim or within two years of the Act's enactment, whichever is later.
Navigating the legal process of filing an administrative claim and pursuing a lawsuit can be complex and overwhelming for affected individuals. We can represent personal injury victims throughout the state of New York, including all five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, and Staten Island), Long Island, and Upstate New York.If you need assistance in appealing a claim for Camp Lejeune water contamination, we at the Law Offices of Albert Goodwin can represent you. You can call us at 212-233-1233 or send us an email at [email protected]. We are located in Midtown, Manhattan.
About the Author
Albert Goodwin Esq. is a licenced New York attorney with over 17 years of courtroom experience. His extensive knowledge and expertise make him well-qualified to write authoritative articles on a wide range of legal topics. He can be reached at 212-233-1233 or [email protected].
