Water Contamination at Camp Lejeune & Wrongful Death
The contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is believed to have exposed about 1 million service members, their families, and other civilians to toxic chemicals.
These toxins have since been linked to a variety of health conditions, including more than a dozen types of cancer. Tragically, some Camp Lejeune victims have already passed away from illnesses related to the water.
Lead counsel for the Camp Lejeune litigation estimates that about 1 in 5 Camp Lejeune claims are wrongful death claims.
You may be able to file a Camp Lejeune wrongful death claim, even if your loved one passed away decades ago or you’re not sure their death was related to the contaminated water.
Camp Lejeune wrongful death payouts are expected to hit $1 million+ in many cases.
The deadline to take legal action is August 10, 2024, so it’s in your best interest to act quickly.
Get a free case review right now to see if you may be eligible to work with a top attorney and pursue a Camp Lejeune wrongful death payout.
Can I File a Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Lawsuit?
Filing a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit is a way to honor victims of this national tragedy and seek justice for the pain and suffering they endured.
You may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit if a loved one:
- Lived or worked at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987
- Spent a minimum of 30 days there
- Experienced health issues related to the contaminated water before their death
Passed in August 2022, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act (part of the PACT Act) makes it possible for victims of the toxic water and their loved ones to seek compensation for their injuries through Camp Lejeune lawsuits.
The law includes a 2-year statute of limitations, which means you only have until August 10, 2024, to file a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit.
Our Camp Lejeune case managers are standing by to help you figure out if you qualify for a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit. There are no hourly fees to work with us. Call (888) 726-9160 right now or reach out to our team to get started.
Health Conditions Linked to the Contaminated Water
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other dangerous substances were found in the Camp Lejeune water supply. Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water has been linked to dozens of illnesses, including many that can be life-threatening.
Medical conditions related to the contaminated water include:
- Aplastic anemia
- Bladder cancer
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cardiac defects
- Cervical cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Esophageal cancer
- Kidney cancer
- Liver cancer
- Liver disease
- Lung cancer
- Lymphomas
- Multiple myeloma
- Myelodysplastic syndromes
- Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
- Pancreatic cancer
- Parkinson’s disease and other neurological effects
- Prostate cancer
- Rectal cancer
- Sarcoma
Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuits allow surviving family members to take legal action on a loved one’s behalf and pursue compensation from the federal government for the harm the victim suffered.
Steps to File a Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Camp Lejeune lawyers are personal injury lawyers who focus on helping victims and their families file claims to pursue financial compensation for harm related to the toxic water.
These lawyers make the legal process as simple and stress-free as possible for families. This means they can handle all aspects of a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit on your behalf and keep you informed as your claim moves forward.
While every lawsuit is unique, the basic steps involved in a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit are listed below.
1. Contact a Camp Lejeune Lawyer
The Camp Lejeune lawyers in the LawFirm.com network have already helped over 30,000 families with their claims related to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
Get a free case review right now to see if one of our legal partners can file a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit on your loved one’s behalf and pursue the justice and compensation your family deserves.
2. Collect Evidence
Your Camp Lejeune lawyer and their legal team will gather evidence linking your loved one’s health condition to the contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune.
This may include:
- Medical records
- Military service records
- Employment documents
- Expert witness reports
The goal of this evidence is to show that your loved one spent at least 30 days at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987 and had a health condition related to the toxic water.
Even if your loved one passed away years ago and you no longer have these records, your legal team can help collect all of the documentation needed for a successful Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit.
3. File Your Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Your lawyer will file your Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit against the federal government on your behalf, ensuring that your claim is filed correctly and before the August 10, 2024, deadline.
Your legal team will provide regular updates and be available to answer any questions you may have.
4. Negotiate a Wrongful Death Payout
Your attorney will fight to get you the largest Camp Lejeune wrongful death payout possible.
In many cases, families will be able to access compensation through a Camp Lejeune settlement. Settlements typically provide quicker access to compensation and allow victims to receive payouts without ever stepping foot inside a courtroom.
However, if a settlement can’t be reached, your legal team will be ready to argue your case in court and get you the compensation you’re entitled to.
Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Payout Amounts
Camp Lejeune wrongful death settlement amounts will likely vary from case to case.
However, here’s some information that sheds light on potential Camp Lejeune wrongful death payout amounts.
In September 2023, the U.S. Department of the Navy (DON) and Department of Justice (DOJ) enacted a system of expedited payouts for Camp Lejeune claims involving certain illnesses. Under this tiered system, water contamination victims and their families can voluntarily accept a set payout through this Elective Option (EO) to resolve their claims.
- The payout range is $100,000 to $450,000 for personal injury claims, with victims who have certain illnesses and who spent more time on base getting higher payouts.
- Families who have filed a Camp Lejeune wrongful death claim will be entitled to an additional $100,000.
- Health conditions that qualify for the most compensation are kidney cancer, liver cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, leukemia, and bladder cancer.
That said, many legal experts predict that successful Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuits will provide families with more compensation than the EO in many cases.
In fact, some experts anticipate that Camp Lejeune wrongful death settlement amounts could hit $1 million or more in some instances.
A Camp Lejeune attorney can review the facts of your potential case and help you determine the path that makes the most sense for your family. Get started now with a free, no-obligation case review.
5 Factors That May Impact a Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Payout
Camp Lejeune wrongful death payouts will vary depending on the specifics of each case.
Here are 5 factors to consider if you’re trying to get an idea of the value of your potential Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit:
- Age of victim: The age of the water contamination victim at both the time of diagnosis and death may play a role in the Camp Lejeune wrongful death payout. Cases involving younger victims typically award more compensation.
- Health condition involved: Families of victims with certain health conditions, including certain Camp Lejeune cancers, may qualify for larger settlements, especially if the illness resulted in costly medical expenses.
- Length of time on base: The more time a victim spent on base, the larger the potential payout.
- Loss of earnings: When a person’s life is cut short, so is their ability to earn money. Payout amounts may take into consideration a victim’s lost earning potential.
- Number of dependents: Additional settlement money may be awarded when a water contamination victim was responsible for providing care for a spouse, children, or other dependents.
An experienced lawyer can give you a better idea of what your Camp Lejeune wrongful death payout could be worth.
What Is the Deadline to File a Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Claim?
Camp Lejeune families have until August 10, 2024, to file a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit.
Once this deadline passes, you’ll be unable to take legal action and pursue justice and compensation on behalf of your loved one.
To make sure that you don’t miss your window of opportunity, it’s best to contact a Camp Lejeune lawyer as soon as possible. They can explain your legal options and ensure that your claim is filed before the deadline.
Get Help With a Camp Lejeune Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The toxic water at Camp Lejeune placed as many as 1 million Americans in harm’s way. Sadly, many have already passed away from health conditions related to the contaminated water.
If your loved one died from an illness connected to the water at Camp Lejeune, you may be entitled to compensation from a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit.
While no amount of money can erase the pain that comes with losing someone close to you, it can help you honor them and hold the federal government accountable.
As leaders in Camp Lejeune litigation, the law firms in our network have already helped over 30,000 families with their claims.
Our legal partners can help Camp Lejeune families in all 50 states, and they never charge any upfront or hourly fees.
Take the first step toward justice and compensation: Call our team right now at (888) 726-9160 for a free case review.
Wrongful Death Camp Lejeune FAQs
How much is the Camp Lejeune lawsuit getting for wrongful death?
Camp Lejeune wrongful death payout amounts will vary depending on each case. Factors that may influence these payouts include how long the victim spent on base and the related health condition they suffered due to the contaminated water.
Families that accept the government’s Elective Option for the wrongful death of a loved one can expect to receive between $200,000 to $550,000.
However, legal experts predict that those who decide to pursue Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit settlements are likely to be rewarded with more compensation. In some cases, these settlements could be worth $1 million or more.
How much compensation is available for Camp Lejeune victims?
The U.S. government estimates that it will pay more than $21 billion to resolve personal injury and wrongful death claims involving toxic exposure to dangerous chemicals in the water at Camp Lejeune.
Families have until August 10, 2024, to file a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit and pursue their share of this money.
How many people have applied for the Camp Lejeune lawsuit?
As of January 2024, over 1,500 Camp Lejeune wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits have been filed in federal court in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
Thousands of additional lawsuits are expected since it’s estimated that about one million people were exposed to the Camp Lejeune toxic water from the base’s Hadnot Point and Tarawa Terrace water treatment plants.
How long will it take to get a Camp Lejeune wrongful death settlement?
The Camp Lejeune settlement timeframe for wrongful death cases will vary from one family to the next.
The biggest factor that will affect this time frame in some cases is whether eligible families accept an expedited payout through the federal government’s Elective Option (EO) or push forward with a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit.
Some have already received expedited payouts after selecting the EO to resolve their case.
Can family members sue for a wrongful death caused by Camp Lejeune water?
Yes, family members of those who have passed away from illnesses related to the contaminated water may be able to file a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit.
To do so, their loved one must have:
- Lived or worked at the military base between 1953 and 1987 for at least 30 days
- Experienced health issues related to the water before their death
Get a free case review right now to see if you’re eligible to file a Camp Lejeune wrongful death lawsuit.
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