The Camp Lejuene water contamination case is a high-profile military contamination case. It has been in the news for years, but few people understand it. This case has received so much attention because many veterans have filed claims regarding water contamination at the base where they were stationed.
Currently, more than 14,000 claimants are involved in this case. This could cost the United States Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) tens of millions of dollars if all claims are paid out.
To determine how much each person should receive from this settlement, the VA must know what caused their illness and whether or not they served on a particular base for long periods during their service.
They also need to know how often they drank from taps on those bases and how long it took them to become ill after exposure to chemicals like trichloroethylene (TCE). That’s why factors other than exposure influence settlement amounts.
Who Qualifies for the Camp Lejuene Water Contamination Lawsuit?
The Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit extends to anyone who was stationed at Camp Lejuene between 1953 and 1987 for at least 30 days. This includes soldiers, contractors, and civilians working on the base.
It also covers those who drank the contaminated water during that period. The law firm may be able to help you even if you were not stationed there but had family members or loved ones who were.
What Is the Settlement Amount?
The settlement amount of the Camp Lejuene water contamination case is $100 million. The US government paid out this amount to the families of those who were affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejuene, a Marine Corps base in North Carolina.
Because it was a one-time payment and did not include future medical costs or other expenses, it does not cover all damages that may have occurred due to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
Chemical Exposure Period
The Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts will depend on how many years you were exposed to the chemicals and what kind of work you did during that time.
For example, suppose you were stationed at Camp Lejuene from 1950 until the early 1970s and worked in areas with a high likelihood of exposure to these chemicals. In that case, your settlement could be higher than someone who was only stationed there from 1965–1980 and worked in locations with less risk.
Type of Condition Diagnosed
The type of condition diagnosed, its severity, and its long-term effects on a person’s life also affect settlement amounts.
In one case, a veteran developed Parkinson’s disease after consuming contaminated water while serving at Camp Lejuene in North Carolina. He had to undergo surgeries and injections to help him control his symptoms. The jury awarded $1 million for past medical expenses, pain, suffering, lost wages due to disability, decreased earning capacity, and loss of consortium.
In another case involving a veteran who developed kidney cancer from consuming contaminated water at Camp Lejuene, the jury awarded $4.2 million. The compensation for past medical expenses related to kidney stones removal surgery, loss of consortium, decreased earning capacity due to the need for two surgeries, pain, and suffering, emotional distress, future medical costs, lost wages, etc.
Medical Bills Incurred
Medical bills are a significant component of the settlement. The Army and Marine Corps have paid billions in medical claims and liabilities to Camp Lejuene veterans who became sick after exposure to toxic chemicals.
If exposed to hazardous substances at Camp Lejeune, you must keep track of your medical expenses to include them in your claim. If you keep track of your medical bills and related costs, however, you may receive only some of the compensation you deserve.
According to one estimate, approximately 75% of Camp Lejuene veterans whose claims were processed by 2014 had already reached out-of-pocket limits. They didn’t know how much insurance would cover their treatment costs and other expenses related to their illnesses caused by drinking contaminated water at the base over several decades.
Income Lost
The settlement amount will include compensation for all income lost during your illness or injury. Compensation can consist of loss of salary, bonuses, overtime, and other benefits due to injury or sickness. In addition to the actual income lost, you may also be able to claim a percentage of future earnings that would have been earned if it were not for your injuries/sickness.
For example, if an individual worked at a job where he earned $50 per hour and was forced into retirement early because of his injuries from Camp Lejuene water contamination, then he should be compensated for his loss in wages as well as future losses due to the injury/sickness.
Evidence Available
In the Camp Lejeune water contamination case, several types of evidence can be used to establish the extent of a victim’s injuries. Medical records and testimony from doctors and family members are examples.
Testimony from co-workers and friends is also helpful in determining how much an injured person has suffered from exposure to chemicals at Camp Lejeune. Evidence supporting allegations helps plaintiffs prove their claims in court.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Camp Lejuene water contamination case was one of the most complex cases involving multiple parties and many victims. The settlement amount was based on the severity of injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages.
This is why understanding how damages are calculated is crucial if you or someone you know has suffered an injury or illness due to exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace.
