How Long Do I Have to File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim?

If you have a Camp Lejeune water contamination claim, time is running out to file a lawsuit. You must file a claim by August 10, 2024, or you will not be able to pursue financial compensation for any illnesses or injuries related to your time at Camp Lejeune between 1953 and 1987. The Camp Lejeune Justice Act set this deadline, providing victims with a two-year statute of limitations to file a claim.

If you or a family member may be eligible to file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit, call The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. for a free consultation. They will evaluate your case, determine your eligibility, and file your claim on time.

How Do I Know If I’m Eligible to File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim?

Veterans, Reservists, and National Guard members may be eligible for disability compensation payments if they suffered a serious illness or injury due to Camp Lejeune’s water. If you are in one of these classes, you must meet the following requirements:

• Served at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River, North Carolina, for at least 30 days total between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987 (even if non-consecutive);
• Have not been dishonorably discharged from the military; and,
• Have a diagnosis of one or more of these “presumptive” conditions:
  • Adult leukemia
  • Aplastic anemia and other myelodysplastic syndromes
  • Bladder cancer
  • Kidney cancer
  • Liver cancer
  • Multiple myeloma
  • Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
  • Parkinson’s disease

These conditions are called “presumptive conditions” because the VA automatically assumes your service caused your condition.

Your family members may also be eligible to file a claim for health benefits if they meet the following criteria:

• They are or were a family member of a Veteran who served at Camp Lejeune;
• They lived there (or their mother was pregnant with them) for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987; and
• They must apply for and be approved for benefits under current law.

The VA may pay or reimburse certain expenses related to the following conditions:

• Bladder cancer
• Breast cancer
• Esophageal cancer
• Female infertility
• Hepatic steatosis
• Kidney cancer
• Leukemia
• Lung cancer
• Miscarriage
• Multiple myeloma
• Myelodysplastic syndromes
• Neurobehavioral effects
• Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma
• Renal toxicity
• Scleroderma

What Do I Have to Do Before the Camp Lejeune Claim Deadline?

You must take these critical steps before the claim deadline, or you will lose your right to pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries or illnesses related to Camp Lejeune water contamination. It’s wise to engage a skilled Camp Lejeune lawsuit attorney to help you file your claim and manage a denial, should you get one.

Before the deadline expires, you must:

• Prove your presence – You must establish you lived, worked, or were present at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987, by providing proof via military records, work records, or an affidavit.
• Obtain documentation of your illness – You must have medical records showing you have one of the illnesses caused by contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.
• File a VA claim – You must file a disability claim with Veterans Affairs on their website, by mail, or at a VA regional office.

After the deadline, you may:

• Obtain a VA decision – The VA must review and evaluate your claim.
• File a lawsuit – If the VA denies your claim, file a Camp Lejeune lawsuit with the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer.

How Do I File a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim?

You can now file a new claim online. You can also file by mail or in person. However, to ensure you have everything you need, you should file with the help of a lawyer from The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A.

To support your claim, you and your attorney will provide the following evidence:

• Your military records that show you served at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 days total between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987
• Medical records that show you have one or more of the eight Camp Lejeune presumptive conditions

What Damages Could I Recover Through a Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim?

Your attorney will advise you of the types of compensation you can pursue in your Camp Lejeune lawsuit. The nature and amount of money you can demand depends on the circumstances of your claim and could include compensation for:

• Medical bills for diseases from the toxic water
• Disability
• Pain and suffering
• Lost income
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Loss of quality of life
• Wrongful death (if a family member died due to a Camp Lejeune-related illness)

How Can a Lawyer Help with My Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claim?

The attorneys at The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. are dedicated to handling all aspects of your claim while you care for yourself and your family. With a lawyer as your advocate, you can trust they have your best interests in mind as they fight for the compensation you deserve by taking the following steps:

• Gathering all evidence needed to support your case and connect your injuries to the water contamination
• Consulting with expert witnesses who will testify on the extent of your injuries and loss of quality of life
• Evaluating and determining the full value of your case
• Filing your water contamination claim before the August 10, 2024, deadline
• Handling communications with all parties and their counsel
• Negotiating fair compensation that covers the full extent of your losses
• Navigating the appeals process if your claim is denied

We understand that the legal process may feel intimidating and stressful, especially if you are suffering from a condition or illness caused by Camp Lejeune’s contaminated water. Although these cases take time, we will be with you to support you, answer your questions, and fight to protect your rights.

Contact a North Carolina Camp Lejeune Claim Lawyer

The deadline for filing your Camp Lejeune water contamination claim is quickly approaching. Your attorney will need time to secure evidence, build a solid case, and file your claim. If you believe you suffered an illness or injury from the water at Camp Lejeune, you should contact a lawyer as soon as possible to get started.

For three generations, the attorneys at The Law Offices of John Drew Warlick, P.A. have represented North Carolina residents in Jacksonville, Camp Lejeune, and the surrounding communities. We are passionate about helping Camp Lejeune victims and their families seek the compensation they need. Call us today to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney about your Camp Lejeune contaminated water claim in a free consultation.

Visit Our North Carolina Camp Lejeune Claim Law Offices